Bluffton, SC

Okay, in the last blog, we went over the definition of a Short Sale of your real estate. I sure wish no one in the Lowcountry needed to be thinking about a Short Sale, but the reality is that this can be an effective way to get your home sold so it isn't a headache anymore.

For starters, you should start thinking about formulating a Letter of Hardship to your lender that will effectively explain the financial situation you are facing. Perhaps unemployment is the biggest issue? Or medical issues? There are numerous reasons that can be cited in that Hardship Letter such as income reduction, a death in the family, loss of income, job relocation, divorce or separation (although lenders may not be that amenable to this as a reason), medical bills or health issues, or any other reason that has severely affected your ability to pay the mortgage on your home. Banks expect you to prepare a letter that effectively explains your situation. It assists them in working with you.

As your Realtor, I can assist you in preparing a lender letter as well as prepare your home for sale. Please do not hesitate to contact me through my website. I invite your inquires and look forward to helping you with resolving your real estate issues.

Despite all of the negative real estate news nationally and locally, I'm seeing a bit of an uptick in the Hampton Hall Real Estate Statistics for November. There is a gradual strenghtening in home prices and less inventory on the market compared to this same time period last year.

For the month of Novmeber, there were 5 new listings that came on the market with an average list price of $697,400.

We saw 3 homes go pending that had an average listed price of $592,665.

One home closed with a average closed price of $530,000.

Total sales for the month was $530,000 with an average days on the market of 180 days.

Closed price to List Price ratio was 91.38%.

Keeping in mind that November was one of the worst months for the year so far, it is at least encouraging to see some pendings and a sold transaction.

Information is derived from the Hilton Head MLS, deemed to be correct but not warranted.

INTERESTED IN HAMPTON HALL REAL ESTATE? I would be delighted to assist you with ANY real estate (whether purchasing or selling) in the Lowcountry. PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE. I WELCOME YOUR INQUIRIES, QUESTIONS AND REFERRALS ANYTIME.

It is GOOD NEWS to hear that the Technical College of the Lowcountry recently received a $90,000 grant from the U.S Department of Agriculture and Rural Developement that will enable the college to open a Rural Business Hub somtime this winter.

With economic conditions what they are, I'm sure this will be a huge benefit to anyone who has an entreprenurial spirit and is endeavoring to start a new career or business. Those who sign on to the program will receive counseling, meeting space, clerical help and access to computers, copiers, fax machines and phones (all for free.) I think this will go a long way to getting people started along a new career path.

Would you like to be part of this program? Here's the criteria: You must be recommended by a professional adviser or TCL staff member, be enrolled in Fast Trac SC or be developing a business plan.

For more information, contact: D'Jaris Moore @ 843-470-6023.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LOWCOUNTRY REAL ESTATE IN HILTON HEAD OR BLUFFTON, PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE. I welcome your inquiries and referrals.

Trust me, this is a fabulous idea----The Island Playground, located just across from Moss Creek Plantation, is one of the newest children's entertainment places in the area. I've already taken my grandchildren there and it's a first-class operation!

This year, they have started the Drop and Shop program so parents can get their holiday shopping done while the children are fully supervised at the playground. When I visited here, I was very impressed with the cleanliness and ratio of staff to children. I'm sure you would feel comfortable leaving the children there for a few hours while you catch up on holiday chores.

Reservations are required---For more information, call 843-837-8383.

The Hilton Head Island and Sun City, SC real estate market continues to exceed national trends and averages. Why? Aside from the quality of life and natural beauty our island has to offer, there are several advantages our local economy will continue to thrive on as it has in the current state of our national economy.

Sun City Hilton Head, Bluffton and Beaufort County are target markets for the near 80 million baby boomers that will retire over the next 15-20 years. Local industry both on and off of the island continue to grow within the limits that the restrictive environmental covenants allow, and our core values that drive people to our area continue to be enhanced annually by building more parks, walkways, and nature preserves. We are not rural and suburban America where industry that initially drove settlement is now leaving; we are the next dream home to many generations to come and our Town keeps a strong focus on staying on the top of the ladder.

Great values that hit our market continue to sell within days, sometimes with multiple offers. There are daily transactions amongst area homes and villas of all price ranges. We have seen more multi million dollar purchases in the second half of this year, and many island communities show the same transactions numbers at this time last year indicating we are leveling. Remember, real estate is local and Hilton Head Island, SC is unique and as soon as you know it is the bottom of our market, it is too late.

Stay in touch with our local market. For more information about Hilton Head Island Real Estate, call Larry Meyers at 843.338.9543, email larry@larrymeyershhi.com, or CLICK HERE to visit my website today. To view a video of the Lowcountry, CLICK HERE.