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Diane Bell, Hilton Head Real Estate, Bluffton

How Negotiable are Banks when selling Foreclosures? Can I get a great deal?

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 ton of work both inside and outside. The landscaping and lawn were virtually untouched for over a year. Inside, the property needed all new flooring and carpeting, new appliances, paint throughout, new kitchen and exterior doors. So, the new owners still have quite a bit of work to do and will expend considerable cash to get it rehabilitated.

To answer your question------Yes, you COULD get a good buy but you need to look at the entire picture. Consider that seller who is just as motivated to get his/her home sold but are offering it in top condition. I would suggest you always look at the WHOLE picture--don't just consider a foreclosure or short sale because you may miss a golden opportunity with a motivated seller.

INTERESTED IN HILTON HEAD OR BLUFFTON REAL ESTATE? PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT AREA PROPERTIES. I INVITE YOUR QUESTIONS AND INQUIRIES.

SNOW IN HILTON HEAD? YES, AT LEAST FOR 1 DAY---JANUARY 24TH @ SHELTER COVE PARK

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.

MAIN STREET YOUTH THEATRE TO HOLD AUDITIONS FOR "OKLAHOMA"

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!

LOOKING FOR A GREAT PLACE TO BOARD YOUR DOG OR CAT? CHECK OUT BROOKE'S BED AND BISCUIT!

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

SAVING SOME MONEY IN A DOWN ECONOMY---HERE'S ONE SUGGESTION FOR YOU

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.

INTERESTED IN HILTON HEAD AND BLUFFTON REAL ESTATE? PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION. I WELCOME YOUR QUESTIONS AND INQUIRIES ANYTIME!