GREETINGS FROM SUNNY HILTON HEAD--IT'S BEEN A FABULOUS SUMMER SO FAR WITH MANY VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD----LET ME ASSURE YOU, FOLKS ARE STILL BUYING REAL ESTATE IN PARADISE (AND HILTON HEAD EPITOMIZES THE MEANING OF PARADISE!)

SHORT SALE? FORECLOSURE? WHAT'S ALL THE HOOPLA ABOUT THESE DAYS? IS YOUR HEAD SPINNING FROM ALL OF THESE NEW TERMS?

In the past few weeks, I've had many of my customers and clients ask me about SHORT SALES for the Hilton Head and Bluffton market. A short sale essentially means that a bank agrees to accept less than is owed on the mortgage when a seller has a hardship or cannot pay on their mortgage. The question is whether this type of sale is for you? Surely, I know you want to strike the best deal possible when purchasing real estate in the Hilton Head or Bluffton area.

But think before you leap into a short sale purchase as they come with their own set of issues. For instance:

BANKS ARE NOTORIOUSLY ILL EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH SHORT SALES SO A DECISION CAN TAKE WEEKS OR MONTHS FOR APPROVAL

LENDERS HOLDING SECOND MORTGAGES CAN DERAIL THE APPROVAL PROCESS

PERHAPS A LISTING ADVERTISES THAT IT IS A SHORT SALE BUT CHANCES ARE THAT IT HASN'T BEEN APPROVED WITH THE BANK---ONE MORE ISSUE FOR A BUYER TO DEAL WITH

WHAT ABOUT OUTSTANDING LIENS, REGIME FEES OR POA FEES? HAVE THEY BEEN RECORDED AS LIENS? IF NOT, A BUYER MAY BE RESONSIBLE FOR PAYING THESE. AND YOU DON'T WANT TO FIND THIS OUT "AFTER THE FACT."

AND WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF THAT HOME? DID YOU EVER THINK THAT YOU MAY FIND A VERY MOTIVATED SELLER THAT ISN'T IN A SHORT SALE OR FORECLOSURE WHO MAY BE EASIER TO DEAL WITH PLUS HAVE A HOME IN BETTER CONDITION?

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF MOTIVATED TO PURCHASE A SHORT SALE OR FORECLOSURE, CONSULT A TRUSTED AND EXPERIENCD REAL ESTATE AGENT AND ATTORNEY---YOU NEED THE BEST TEAM ON YOUR SIDE!

I'm currently navigating the foreclosure waters with several clients..........If you are interested in joining us, please visit my website or phone me @ 843-247-5419. I have a list of all foreclosures in the Hilton Head and Bluffton area that will be helpful to you.

As always, I welcome your calls and questions........I'm always available to chat with you and answer your inquires about the local real estate market.

Let's face it--we all know that money doesn't grow on trees---especially these days! And when it comes to our local Real Estate Taxes, if you're like me, you want to save every penny possible. I continue to be amazed at how many folks just aren't aware how our real estate taxes are levied and what options are available to residents. Here's how it works--Very simple, indeed:

IF YOU ARE A FULL-TIME RESIDENT, YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE 4% ASSESSMENT VERSUS THE 6% ASSESSMENT FOR OUT OF STATE OWNERS. AMAZINGLY, THIS RESULTS IN A 33 1/3% REDUCTION IN YOUR ANNUAL TAX BILL WHICH IS REALLY SIGNIFICANT.

Visit the Beaufort County Website to find more information. Or you can simply place a phone call to the County Assessor's Office at 843-525-7295 to register for your full-time resident's status.

It's definitely worth the effort---Why not take the money saved and put it in your vacation fund?

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HILTON HEAD OR BLUFFTON, SC REAL ESTATE, PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE.

Whether you are new to Hilton Head Plantation or just beginning to explore the possibility of purchasing or renting real estate in the Plantation, these tips may be helpful in establishing residency. It's certainly nothing complicated but I know that coming from a different geographical area, we just need to learn the customs in our local communities.

The first thing you'll need to do is to stop by the POA Service Center to get your property owner's decals. They'll also give you a PIN number that you can use to call in passes for visitors. The folks at the POA will register your car (even your dogs and cats) and get you all settled in.

To arrange electrical service, contact PALMETTO ELECTRIC @ 681-5551. (You'll probably find that your lawyer's office has already accomplished this if you are purchasing a property.)

Cable Service is available from TIME WARNER --800-208-6030. They also offer phone service which I have found to work flawlessly, somewhat more cost competitive plus I enjoy all of the extra perks that come with their service.

Most importantly, you will need to visit the SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES (815-6981) to take care of your vehicle registration.

And yes, there is just 1 more assignment for you----STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES, JASMINE OR WHATEVER IS IN SEASON---GRAB YOUR BIKES AND HEAD OUT TO DOLPHIN HEAD PARK AT THE END OF THE DAY--after all, you moved here for a different lifestyle right?? ENJOY!

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HILTON HEAD AND BLUFFTON REAL ESTATE, PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE. I welsome your inquiries and just love to chat about life on Hilton Head Island.

Conventional wisdom has always been that LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION are the most important factors to consider when making a move. Well guess what? That's still true. Selecting a neighborhood on Hilton Head Island can be a daunting task for sure.

So just how does one evaluate the different areas and make a wise buying decision?

What are the taxes and expenses in typical neighborhoods? For instance, Hilton Head Plantation is a very well managed and reasonable community to live in. Compare the yearly POA fee of $921 to other communities such as Wexford Plantation where the yearly POA is over $10,000. That should be an important consideration. There is no right or wrong answer----merely your preference.

What about schools? If you have children, you'll certainly want to take this into consideration

Proximity to work? With gas prices hovering at $4 a gallon, this will be important

Resale Value? Pick an area that has a strong resale history. Perhaps you don't want to be in competition with a developer?

What ameneties do you want in a Plantation? Sports, Nature, Leisure? What's important to you?

For the Hilton Head area, do you want to be at the quiet North end or the more bustling tourist area in the South End? Again, there is no right or wrong answer to this.

Price Point--Each Plantation has different price points---It will not be difficult to find a price that works into your budget.

Check out the official Town of Hilton Head Website for valuable information.

AS YOUR LOCAL HILTON HEAD REAL ESTATE EXPERT, I INVITE YOU TO VISIT MY WEBSITE FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HILTON HEAD REAL ESTATE MARKET.

Well it certainly looks like good results for the month of June in Hilton Head Plantation! I always refer to the Plantation as the "Little (well, not so little) engine that keeps on chugging along.") And this month was no exception.

For this report, I've focused solely on residential properties that sold in the Plantation. Even in a difficult economy, properly priced homes that are in excellent condition are selling. I liken it to the prettiest girl at the prom! That's how you want your home to stand out.

JUNE STATISTICS DERIVED FROM HILTON HEAD MLS

28 NEW LISTINGS-------AVERAGE LIST PRICE $634,410

12 PENDINGS------AVERAGE PENDING PRICE $518,509

8 CLOSED SALES-----AVERAGE CLOSED PRICE $613,250

TOTAL SALES-----$4,906,000

% CLOSED PRICE/LISTING PRICE ---92.89%

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET ---80

(Information is deemed correct but not guaranteed.)

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HILTON HEAD PLANTATION REAL ESTATE, PLEAE VISIT MY WEBSITE. As a resident of Hilton Head Plantation, I love to share my community with others.

For some of you that may be considering a move to Hilton Head Plantation, you may be just a bit confused about some of our acronyms. So, just what IS a POA, you might wonder? Well, it's just a shortened version of Property Owners Association, that operates much like a property management company.

The principal job of a POA is to maintain the recreational facilities and common owned areas of a neighborhood. And, oh yes, the POA does have the responsibility to enforce the rules and regulations of the community. I'm sure their fervent hope is that everyone respects the rules, thus diminishing the need for enforcement. And generally, that's the way it works.

Overall, Hilton Head Plantation is a very well-maintained community with excellent leadership. I consider it a fabulous place to call home and hope you will too!

If you are considering a move to HHP, please feel free to contact me through my website. As a resident of the Plantation I just might be a little bit prejudiced!

One definite advantage to living in Hilton Head Plantation is that no one HAS to belong to a golf club in order to be a resident of the Plantation. This is definitely one of the reasons our Plantation is so affordable to residents. The yearly POA fee in the Plantation for the year 2008 was only $921 and what a bargain considering all of the ameneties available.

When I have folks relocating to the Plantation, I always suggest they wait till they are settled to decide on a golf membership---try them all and see what fits best. No sense in rushing to that decision.

For the golf enthusiasts, Hilton Head Plantation has 4 golf clubs, 2 of which provide access to the public.

1. COUNTRY CLUB OF HILTON HEAD--Open to the public on a limited basis 681-2582

2. DOLPHIN HEAD GOLF CLUB --A private members only golf club

3. Olyster Reef Golf Club--Open to the public 681-7717

4. Bear Creek Golf Club, a private club limited to 250 members

PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE FOR COMPLETE HILTON HEAD AND BLUFFTON REAL ESTATE INFORMATION.

Well, we all know that traffic can sometimes be an issue during peak summer tourist season in Hilton Head. A few years ago, Beaufort County started erecting traffic cameras at vital intersections that have really made a huge difference in keeping traffic moving along.

If you visit the Island Packet Newspaper site you can view the location of all of the cameras that are currently in use in Beaufort County. And if you are lucky enough to have wireless access while traveling to Hilton Head, you might just want to check out the traffic (especially on Saturday afternoons in July and August.) Might make good sense and save you some aggravation .

If you would like more information about Hilton Head Real Estate, please visit my website.

So, you've been spending some time online in an attempt to decide the best place to live on-island? Well, search no more! Hilton Head Plantation has traditionally offered the best values and ameneties of any Plantation on Hilton Head Island.

Considering the affordability factor and the fact that prices are the best I've seen them in many years, this should be a no-brainer move for you when you decide you're ready. With plentiful inventory and motivated sellers, this is an excellent time to explore owning Real Estate in Hilton Head Plantation.

Let's take a quick look at some pertinent fact:

Population is approximately 10,000

Approximately 4085 homes are in the Plantation

Parks: Dolphin Head, Spring Lake Pavillion, Surrely Lane Ball Fields

Pool: Spring Lake--Available to all residents

Bluff Walk: A walk along the bluff that extends nearly 1 mile

Conservancies: Whopping Crane Pond Conservancy and the Cypress Conservancy

Beach: Located in the Dolphin Head Park---almost 2 miles of walking beach area

Tennis: 12 Courts, 2 Bocce Ball Courts and 3 Shuffleboard Courts

Club Houses: Spring Lake Pavillion, Dolphin Head Recreation Area and Plantation House

Roads: over 72 miles of roadways maintained by Hilton Head Plantation POA

Transfer Fee: Capital Improvement Transfer Fee of 1/4 of 1% on all real estate transactions

Annual POA Fees: $942 for Improved and $553 for Lots

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT MORE ABOUT HILTON HEAD PLANTATION, I INVITE YOU TO VISIT MY WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

IF YOU'RE VISITING HILTON HEAD ISLAND THIS YEAR, I BET YOU'LL BE INTERESTED IN THESE TOP TEN FREEBIES FOR FAMILIES---REMEMBER, MANY TIMES, THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE!

1. Enjoy early morning walks on the beach

2. Visit the Shelter Cove Fireworks each Tuesday evening

3. Let Gregg Russell entertain you at the Liberty Oak tree in Harbourtown

4. Take the kids crabbing--All you need is twine, some chicken nets, a net and bucket

5. Visit the Coastal Discovery Museum @ 100 William Hilton Parkway

6. See Cappy the Clown at South Beach Marina evenings from 7 to 9 pm

7. Visit one of the many art galleries in Hilton Head and Bluffton. We have some very talented artists. Their works are amazing.

8. Hilton Head Public Library holds Story Hour each Saturday morning @ 10:00 AM

9. Coligny Movie Theater holds free family movies each Saturday @ 11 AM

10. Last but certainly not least, Visit one of our local churches on Sunday morning.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HILTON HEAD OR BLUFFTON REAL ESTATE, PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE