Red Cedar has the location – walking distance to the new Red Cedar Elementary, walking distance to 2 day care centers, a regional park right next to the community with baseball fields, basketball courts, etc.  Lifestyle comes in with a community swimming pool and playground as well as sidewalks, a fishing lake and gazebo.  In addition, Red Cedar is conveniently located to the infamous “Squat & Gobble” restaurant and Old Towne Bluffton. The lifestyle opportunities expand with community events, lowcountry neighborly ambiance, and developing a true village style.

Scott explained that the builder, Sabal Homes, can actually build a home in 2 months, finishes the inteiror of the garages, offers some upgrades but includes most expected features right along with the home. Good sized homes and a great mix of folks in the neighborhood.  Attention to detail right down to “we use an entire tube of caulk around each window” seems to be a firm commitment.

So, Red Cedar seems to have it all; location, good building practices, good marketing, nice floor plans, good price points AND the all important LIFESTYLE.  Let me know if you’d like to wander over – meet you at the Farmers’ Market!

Mr. O’Neil discussed his goals as the head administrator having been on the job for only six months.  There have been numerous physicians added to the permanent staff of this for-profit hospital.  As part of the Tenet Health Care system, Hilton Head Hospital, Coastal Carolina Medical Center, and Okatie Outpatient Center, have a commitment to our area.  Mr. O’Neil mentioned that for such a relatively small population center, the local health care services within the hospital are very extensive.  The cardiology department, gastro-intestinal department, as well as the emergency room is strongly staffed and equipped with all of the latest diagnostic equipment.

There are other ‘well’ options to interact with the hospital as well; community and civic groups are often invited to hold a health fair and there are numerous mobile labs to facilitate. 

Altogether, the Realtors gained much knowledge. It’s just another reason that the lifestyle on Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Okatie is so popular.

Come……live!

“The Beaufort County Inspection and Code Enforcement Department is the first building department in South Carolina to earn Building Department Accreditation from the International Accreditation Service (IAS). The accreditation is based on the IAS Accreditation Criteria for Building Departments/Code Enforcement Agencies (AC251). The accreditation verifies that the Beaufort County Inspection and Code EnforcementDepartment is operating at the highest legal, ethical and technical standards.”

What this means for our homebuyers is that any homes constructed in Beaufort County will be inspected at the highest standards. Just another great reason to make the lowcountry your next home!

If you’ve never run with 38,000 of  your closest friends, it’s really a hoot-it’s everything about challenges, motivation, commitment and competition. There is a parallel, surprisingly enough, with real estate.  The inventory at times right now may look like this mass – no particular order, blurred features, confusing choices, and impossible to overcome. For the real buyer, it’s a terrific opportunity; there’s a clear goal – finding a home – getting to the ‘finish line’ and, at the moment, an actual cash prize – the $8,000 first time homebuyer credit, or $6,500 for someone who has already owned a home who meets some requisites (meet me at the finish line and I’ll help you with that). 

As far as the competition issue – yes, there are indeed plenty of homes selling! The Island Packet week had a great article all about that very fact. Click here to read more!  I’ve already been in several multiple offer situations – so – about that finish line; it’s clear, it’s there and you can be a winner but don’t wait too much longer – call me to find out where you can still get terrific opportunities both on Hilton Head Island and on the mainland in Bluffton.  See you at the race!

For two consecutive months, home sales have risen dramatically in the Hilton Head Island Multiple Listing Service area.

Sales in the eight-county MLS region increased 103 percent in January compared to January 2009 and took a 64-percent jump in February from February 2009, according to areport Tuesday from the S.C. Realtors trade group.

The Beaufort MLS area has also experienced two months of increases, with a 4.9-percent increase in January and a 15.9-percent jump in February.

Those numbers point to a residential real estate market that slowly is recovering, a trend area Realtors and industry professionals say is because of low interest rates, federal tax credits for home buyers and low prices
Read more: http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/03/23/1182839/home-sales-soar-prices-fall-in.html#ixzz0j7YsSutL

Now, does this mean that our prices have stabilized and we’ve hit a ‘bottom’ – probably not, but you know that historically, it takes at least 6-9 months for the pundits to actually acknowledge that actuality.  So, moral of the story is, if you’re a buyer, it remains a GREAT time to buy, if you’re a seller it’s a great time to sell your home and get in line for those move-up homes that were WAY out of your price range before.

Instead of looking at the foreclosures and short sales as the bane of our existence, it is so exciting to again have inventory to offer, CHOICES for folks, and the ability to feel that you’ve gotten a bargain!

It’s a NEW DAY in real estate – rejoice in it and CALL ME to find out how best to take advantage of this market!

“ This is a new twist to killing fire ant colonies.For those not familiar with Walter Reeves, he is from the University of
Georgia agriculture department, specializing in home gardening. His television show, ‘Gardening in Georgia’, is on each Saturday.

I know fire ants are picky eaters and any type poison that is effective takes seven feeding steps before the queen receives it. Plus, if the bait is stored in close proximity to any petroleum or fertilizer products they won’t
touch it. Contact poisons that are on the market just cause the colony to move away. A well developed colony can be as deep as 30 feet and spread out some 20 to 50 feet from the mound center… This was documented by studies
done in the early 60’s when they were first sited in South Alabama.

An environmentally friendly cure for fire ants has been announced by Walter Reeves on his Georgia Gardener radio program. Testimonials that it REALLY WORKS are coming in.

Simply pour two cups of CLUB SODA (carbonated water) directly in the center
of a fire ant mound. The carbon dioxide in the water is heavier than air and
displaces the oxygen which suffocates the queen and the other ants. The
whole colony will be dead within about two days.

Besides eliminating the ants, club soda leaves no poisonous residue, does not contaminate the ground water, and does not indiscriminately kill other insects. It is not harmful to your pets, soaks into the ground. Each mound
must be treated individually and a one liter bottle of club soda will kill 2 to 3 mounds.”

So, gardening friends, let’s give it a try! If you have positive results, feel free to write me back and by the way, I’m never too busy to help you with information on our spring real estate market that’s springing up even faster than the crabgrass – Come Live…………..in the lowcountry!

The reason you live on an island!

with one of Hilton Head’s best addresses-ask me about the listing located on S. Beach Lagoon Road. Offered by Carolina Realty Group it’s a stunner with 5 bedrooms, 5 baths 7082 sq ft and a view to die for. Even with angry seas today, the calm and peace felt in this immaculately maintained home could also be a wonderful rental opportunity- ASK ME for the rental projections!

ANOTHER HILTON HEAD ISLAND beauty may be found on Piping Plover – a great use of a site, very beautiful finishes and complete with geo-thermal heating and cooling; this is for the person who wants a very short stroll to the BEACH as well as having their own fabulous space to entertain. Located 4th row from the Atlantic Ocean, this wonderful home is offered by Sea Pines Real Estate, was built in 2009 and has 5BR and 6 and 1/2 baths!

Excellent siting & great features + short walk to the beach

 Saw several other great options! Call me to see great buys in Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island!

“The South Carolina housing market has bounced back from its low point in 2009. Consecutive quarters of GDP growth suggest a recovering economy that will continue in 2010. 

The housing market is adjusting to lower inventory levels. In the last six months, existing housing inventory for both new and re-sales have dropped four and two months, respectively. Thus, despite increases in foreclosures across the nation, states such as South Carolina with only small increases in delinquent mortgages are experiencing an overall decline in inventory. The reduction in supply is extremely important to the recovery of the housing market.”

This same trend is occurring on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton. I’ve had several multiple offer situations – so be one of the smart buyers taking advantage of this great market before your choices are gone!