bluffton: What are the Solutions for the Real Estate Problems in the Lowcountry of South Carolina? - 03/11/09 03:52 PM
I framed the title of this post as a question because I'm not certain I have the answer.  I have ideas however, and would invite others from around the world to comment.  I'm certain that many of the factors impacting our market, Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, South Carolina, are similar to those affecting other markets, and yet we all likely have our own unique problems.
Let me start by talking a bit about why our southern resort location was touted as one of the best real estate markets in the country several years ago.  At least that's what we, here, … (1 comments)

bluffton: How Do Energy Costs Impact the Real Estate Market? - 05/16/08 01:31 PM
I'm excited.  Commentators from all sides of the economic arena are telling us that we may be about to see something we typically only read about in textbooks - real free market supply and demand principles in action and in an important and very visible aspect of our daily lives.  Provided the Saudis don't increase oil production and our government doesn't dip into the Strategic Oil Reserve, it appears that something "classic" may be happening right now that should lower the price at the pump all by itself.  People are finally changing their behavior.  I'm one of them.  Just last week I started … (2 comments)

bluffton: Can We Predict a Bottom? - 04/30/08 04:58 AM
I confess I can't, but perhaps there are others who may have some useful ideas.  In recent days I've spoken to several people who've offered some insights.  I'll share them below and invite others to chime in.
A friend who has been in the business longer than me recently opined that one factor that characterizes the end of both bull and bear markets is a rapid acceleration of panic.  What he meant is that historically, at the end of either market, one sees a rapid increase in the rate of price increases or decreases respectively.  If this is true, yesterday's AP report … (10 comments)

bluffton: Dream of America Concert in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina - 04/28/08 06:27 PM
"Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization."  So begins the Preamble of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the National Association of Realtors.  I was immediately impressed with this powerful prose which I read during one of my introductory courses.  I am equally impressed, and proud to be a part of, The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra's own celebration of our "land" on May 5, 2008 with its "Dream of America" series. 
Directed by Music Director and Conductor Mary Woodmansee Green, … (0 comments)

bluffton: South Carolina Property Tax Changes Could Stimulate Market - 04/25/08 07:12 AM
The South Carolina State House passed a bill unanimously on Wednesday of this week that may have a positive impact on real estate sales in Beaufort County and the state as a whole, provided the State Senate follows suit.  Current state law requires an immediate increase of the assessed value of residential and commercial property when property is sold or extensively improved.  The new value is based upon the new market price, which in the case of a transfer is the sales price.
The new bill delays the increase in assessed value to the date when each South Carolina County completes its … (0 comments)

bluffton: Rose Hill Plantation in Bluffton, South Carolina Makes a Comeback - 04/22/08 04:23 AM
"We have just been advised by the golf club ownership that the club will be ceasing operations as of noon today. We will provide you with further information as it becomes available."  With those words in January, 2006, golf at Rose Hill Plantation in Bluffton, South Carolina suddenly ceased.
A little more than a year later, a blogger summarized the subsequent deterioration,  "Does anyone notice the weeds and tall grass growing all over the golf course at Rose Hill Plantation? Why continue to water the grass if nobody will take care of it? It is the most visible golf course in Bluffton … (2 comments)

bluffton: Dual Annual Home Tours in the Lowcountry - 04/18/08 05:58 PM
As a spring gift, two annual tours of homes in the South Carolina and Georgia coastal lowcountry are on tap in April and May.
I had the honor of judging some of the spectacular new homes for the 2008 Greater Savannah Parade of Homes featuring homes in Georgia's Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties.  The Parade of Homes is open to the public on April 26-27 and May 3-4.  You are in for a treat.  More information can be found at http://www.savannahparade.com.
On April 27, 2008 from 1 to 5 pm, just up the road in South Carolina, Bluffton Self Help will host … (0 comments)

bluffton: A Real Estate Silver Lining - 04/07/08 06:15 AM
Originally published by Rick Hoel in Bluffton Today in August, 2007.
Although 2005 spawned one of the "hottest" real estate markets in Beaufort County history, today prices have declined significantly and there is real debate about when to expect a turn-around.  There are now over 6200 listings in the Hilton Head Area Multiple Listing Service.  Two years ago there was a third that amount.
But tough times encourage long term thinking and discerning buyers and sellers who carefully examine the unique characteristics of our market can be successful.  Here are a few of the factors that distinguish our market from Miami, Pittsburgh or … (9 comments)

 

Rick Hoel - Broker/Realtor, Bluffton, SC

Bluffton, SC

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Hilton Head Lowcountry, LLC dba Keller Williams Referrals

Address: 2 Bourquine Way, Bluffton, SC, 29909

Office Phone: (843) 290-4398

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