Last evening, the town of Hilton Head had one of several neighborhood meetings to continue a dialogue of where the island is going, what works well, what we need to address going forward the next 20 years. Having lived here since 1971, every major change/progress was met with contention in the community but what CONTINUES to make this place special is community involvement. The people of Hilton Head are diverse in their upbringing, their education, their experiences. Since most people care, that makes this place a continued desirable place to be. A place like no other: God-given beauty, careful growth, fantastic people!   If you would like detailed on the info, please contact me. Shawn from the town is sending me that info. 01/22/2009

We had three loan officers speak to us at our local board of Realtors office on Jan. 20th, 2009:   Changes almost weekly. Not like it was ten years ago. Documentation is necessary now. They do not take your word. Three things they look at: 1) credit risk/debt ration 2) collateral risk 3) lender appetite at moment The above being said, they restated once again that credit score changes your rate: i.e.: 740 score and above you may now get around Hilton Head  4 7/8 plus on point. If you score was 700 then rate changes to 5 1/4 and if at 680 then you are looking at one percentage higher, namely 5 7/8. There is money out there. Most that did not get tempted by the feeding frenzy of the mid 2000 years can now selectively buy great properties at rates lowest in many adults' lifetimes. Come to ... 01/21/2009

Indigo Run is the one of the last private residential golf communities to be developed on Hilton Head Island. Its 1,712 acres are located at the island's north end, directly across Highway 278 from Hilton Head Plantation. Indigo run prides itself on its two jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses: the Golden Bear and The Golf Club. Inside the private gates of Indigo Run, residents can also take advantage of Sunningdale Park, a recreation area with a junior Olympic swimming pool, hard tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts, and playground. Community Highlights Located on the northern end of the island, 1700 acres Features a first in Jack Nicklaus design, the Golden Bear Course Views from golf, lagoon to waterfront of Broad Creek Located on the north end of the Island, directly acros... 01/13/2009

The second planned community, on Hilton Head Island, by the Sea Pines Companyoffers over 4,000 sprawling acres on the Island's northern tip; Hilton Head Plantation is Hilton Head's second largest planned community. Sheltered between Port Royal Sound and the United States Intracoastal Waterway, the plantation offers amenities that rival any luxury resort. In addition to two miles of sandy beaches and a marina to charter a boat - or dock one of your own - residents enjoy six miles of biking and jogging trails, two nature conservancy's, a central recreational facility, waterfront playground, two five-star restaurants, swimming pools, a common gardening area, 12 tennis courts plus four 18-hole golf courses. Community Highlights Comprised of a portion of retirees and empty Nester's along wit... 01/13/2009

This popular resort and residential community is located mid-island, sitting on 1,800 well-preserved acres, with only 5000 homes and villas. Inside its guarded gates are three miles of world-famous Atlantic Ocean beaches, 11 miles of winding lagoons, and one of the largest tennis centers on the island, with 25 courts. Palmetto Dunes is also home to the Hilton Resort and the Hilton Head Marriott Beach and Golf Resort, previously the Hyatt Regency Hilton Head Resort. Its three public, 28-hole golf courses were designed by PGA favorites George Fazio, Robert Trent Jones, and Arthur Hills. The community ranges from year-round residents to weekend visitors due to the wide range of lodging available. Community Highlights Three miles of white, sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy walki... 01/13/2009

We are making a difference and our federal government is leading the way. A recent article was in our local paper describing a new environmental study that will be done along the North and South Carolina coast and several other distinctive ecosystems in the USA. These studies will embrace the aspects of an ecosystem, not just a single aspect of the ecosystem, but how it all interacts which includes development. Contrary to popular belief we are part of the ecosystem. Hopefully, this study will help our local and county government understand and possible get grants to help prove what can be done to develop in an ecofriendly manner. Currently our LMO's are too rigid in stature, and the bureaucrats that run the departments too scarred to allow a change from the standard operating procedure... 01/13/2009

I for one am happy to see the Barnwell Family come up with a creative way to keep there family property, and to make the property work for them in a way that meets the demands of today's enviroment. They have come up with a very responsible plan for developing their property. The mix use of commercial, open space, and cottages is on the cutting edge of urban design and "green design". Hopefully they will find the right resources to come up with a Eco friendly green planned neighborhood. I also encourage the town council to support this project, and ask anyone else to make their voice heard for this project. Below is an article from the Island Packet. posted by Charlie Fraser 2009 Barnwells want to develop land so it stays in the family By DANIEL BROWNSTEINdbrownstein@islandpacket.com843... 01/12/2009

  Recently, I've had the opportunity to answer a few questions for an article highlighting Hilton Head Island in an upcoming issue of Cincy Magazine which is an upscale Cincinnati business periodical.   I'd like to share the following questions and my answers with you. 1. Cincinnatians have many choices when it comes to buying vacation homes. In terms of location, what makes Hilton Head desirable? Obvious reasons include pristine beaches, manicured golf courses, immaculate tennis facilities, full-service marinas, fabulous shopping and a vast array of world-class restaurants. In addition, the Island offers a variety of communities including private & gated neighborhoods, townhome complexes close to the beach, villas, and golf course communities. I've driven to Cincinnati a few times and... 01/11/2009

Greetings from Hilton Head Island! We're glad to have enjoyed the Holiday's in unseasonably warm temperatures. It felt more like spring than Christmas with temps in the mid-70's! Wow, Santa must have been somewhat confused when he flew into the Lowcountry. New Years Eve found us in Jacksonville, FL for the Gator Bowl festivities. We really enjoyed ourselves with fireworks at midnight along the St. John's River with thousands of our newest friends ringing in the New Year. It was tons of fun! New Years Day we had our Orange on but the Huskers were able to hold off a late rally by the Tigers. I've never been to a bowl game before, so it was lots of fun in spite of the outcome. We really enjoyed the game. Even while sitting in a sea of Red, we still had a smile on our faces at the end of th... 01/07/2009

One of the huge fallacies in the current real estate market is that FORECLOSURE EQUALS BARGAIN!  Every single day, I have potential buyers asking about the efficacy of buying a foreclosure because they feel they'll get a great buy.  Banks today are much more sophisticated when it comes to unloading properties.  More often than not, they'll spend the money to have a certified appraiser put the correct value on a property.  In essence, this could equate to a good buy for you but you need to take into consideration how much money and manpower it will take to bring the property up to top condition. Consider a property that recently went pending in my neighborhood of Hilton Head Plantation.  Yes, it pended well under what the last home sold for but it was drastically neglected and needed a t... 01/03/2009

SNOW IN HILTON HEAD?  SAY IT ISN'T SO!  But, happily, we WILL have 1 day of snow on January 24th at Shelter Cove Community Park.  The annual Hilton Head Snow Day event will take place from 11AM to 4PM with the park converted into a winter wonderland for the children.  There will be food concessions offered by the local restaurant, Street Meet, which will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, roaster marshmallows (yum), hot chocolate and pizza from Guiseppe's.  Admission for children is $10--this will include the snow event and all the rides.  FOR MORE INFO:  843-681-7273. Photo is courtesy of Wikipedia. FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HILTON HEAD AND BLUFFTON REAL ESTATE, PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION.  I WELCOME YOUR INQUIRES AND QUESTIONS ANYTIME.   01/03/2009

The Main Street Youth Theatre is near and dear to my heart!  They do such a fantastic job with our area youth that I want to give them a little more exposure.  Sure that every bit helps! The next production they will do is "Oklahoma" with auditions starting January 3rd at the Main Street Theatre, 3000 Main St, Hilton Head.  Adults and youths ages 10 and up are needed.  If you decide to audtion, you should come prepared to perform 16 bars of a song in the style of the show, a one-minute monologue and a dance, if asked.  Rehearsals begin January 6 and the show will run from Feb 6 through March 8---certainly not to be missed! 01/03/2009

Brooke's Bed and Biscuit may be the ultimate in luxury for our area pets to visit when mom and dad leave for vacation!  Located conveniently in Bluffton, the folks at Brooke's are second to none in providing the best quality of care for our pets.  Now, I haven't been to Brooke's in awhile because I've been taking the darlings everywhere with me, the last time I was there, I was amazed that they provided a swimming pool for leisure activities.  (FOR THE DOGS!).  Another aspect that was important was the vet that was available in an adjoining building.  Being away, it is comforting to know this option is so close.  And grooming is offered and it can be scheduled for the day you come back to pick up your pets.  for more information:  contact 843-757-7387 01/03/2009

Okay, the Island Packet and Bluffton Today are probably going to hate me for this blog!  I know they're trying to sell newspapers and the economy just is a bummer but if you're serious about cutting your budget, why not consider canceling your subscription to local newspapers and just read them online?  I subscribe to the Island Packet but also read it every single day online when I get up in the morning---same with the Bluffton Today paper.  So, I'm really starting to wonder if there is any reason for me to continue receiving the papers if they're available online to read?  I also don't feel guilty because these newspapers derive a great deal of their revenue from online advertising.  Just a little tidbit of belt tightening--Guess we can all profit from these tweaks to our budgets. INT... 01/03/2009

Well, I knew it HAD to happen---the area restaurants would have to offer some special incentives to get people out to eat!  With the national economy weighing on everyone's budgets, eating out can often become the first item to go on the back burner.  Here's some interesting options  from area Hilton Head Restaurants:  The Brick Oven Cafe, located in Park Plaza is offering 50% off food from Sundays through Thursday! All Lowrey Group Restaurants are offering Buy One Entree,  Get One 1/2 Off, same with buy two or buy three. Wreck of the Salty Dog offers All You Can Eat Crablegs on Thursday for just $18.95.  That's a great price considering that other restaurants in the area charge upwards to $30.00 for the same type of offering. Street Meet  offers Buy One Burger and get the 2nd free--Thi... 01/03/2009

Let's face it, we never expected to see the housing market in it's current state and fortunately, the Hilton Head and Bluffton markets have weathered the storm better than other areas of our country.  But if you are behind in your house payments for one reason or another, here are some suggestions that you can explore with your banker: SPECIAL FOREBEARANCE:  This allows the bank to suspend or reduce your mortgage payments for a period if time provided you can give some assurance that you will be able to pay at a later date. REINSTATEMENT:  When this occurs, your lender agrees to accept the total balance of your mortgage in one payment at a specific date.  This may go hand and hand with forebearance. REPAYMENT:  This option allows the lender to allow you to add a small portion of your mi... 01/03/2009

Let's just consider that you are behind on your mortgage payments, the bank is hounding you and foreclosure is imminently in your future.  But also, let's consider that scammers exist who are more than willing to take advantage of you. This is where "EQUITY SKIMMING"  comes into play---What is it?  Equity skimming is when a "fraudulent" buyer offers to pay your mortgage or sell your property if you sign over the house deed  move from the home.  After signing the deed, you are left with an unpaid loan and no house.  The Scam artist leaves town with your deed.  And what happens to you?  You're still left with the mortgage obligation. Advice here?  Seek professional and competent advice from a trusted attorney if you are facing a foreclosure crisis.  It may be the best money you ever spent... 01/03/2009

Mark your calendars for January 24th!  The AARP Safe Driving Course is being held on this date at Sea Pines Community Center from 1-5 PM.  You do not need to be a member of AARP to participate.  The cost of the seminar is $14 per person.  For information, contact Hayden Leon @ 843-671-2594.  The advantage?  Most insurance companies will provide an additional discount if you successfully complete the course. 01/03/2009

It sure has been nice this past week.  My son and I went for a boat ride this past Saturday, and it was more like a early fall day than the end of December.  The temperature was in the high 70's and the water was calm.  We pretended we were fishing, but what we really wanted was to just get out on a beautiful day.  Hudson's Seafood Restaurant is a great place for local seafood in fall and winter months.  Hudson's buys fresh local seafood from the docks, shrimp, fish, oysters.  I only believe in buying fresh local seafood.  Unfortunately, the many tourist that come to the island probably think that we have Salmon, Alaskan King Crabs, Talapia, and other imported or farm raised seafood.  The local "fisherman" is a dying breed, so that is why I support restaurants that buy local seafood. [h... 12/31/2008

It's been a long tradition here in Hilton Head that our local fire houses go all out to decorate for the holidays.  If my memory serves me correctly, I believe they have a contest each year to determine the best production.  I stopped by one location last evening and took some photos to share.  Hope they cheer your holiday spirit! 12/29/2008