Dear Clients, Friends & Fellow Associates ~

I love being a “tourist for a day” on Hilton Head Island when friends and family visit.  There are so many exciting things to do and see.  They make me remember all the great things we have here as we rediscover the Island together.  As you make your plans this summer, feel free to contact us for maps, ideas and information about the area.  We have put together a list of ideas for fun including “local favorites”.  Keep in mind, this offer is not exclusively for tourists(locals may participate in the fun too)!

·     Kayaking ~ Outside Hilton Head 686-6996 Located in Shelter Cove Marina or Hudson’s off Squire Pope.  All kayak guides are trained Naturalist.  You will love the Tuesday Night Firework “Kayak Tour”

·     Historical Tours ~ Bluffton, Beaufort, Savannah & Charleston Sign up for a horse drawn carriage tour or we will arrange a small family guided tour with advance notice.  We can email easy directions to these historic cities.

·     Rent some bikes ~ Palmetto Dunes Outfitters 785-2449 Inside Palmetto Dunes across from the General Store.  You can explore 26 miles of bike paths from this central location  *Brand New Bikes… 10% off for families

·     Fireworks ~ Every Tuesday Night in Shelter Cove 6:30 – 9:30  Vendors including arts and crafts before the display June 3 – Aug 26  Go to “Up the Creek Pub” off Marshland Road at Broad Creek Marina. Enjoy the fireworks & cookout from this vantage point.

·     Coastal Discovery Museum- North Hwy 278 / Cross Island 689-6767  Take a 2 ½ hour red trolley tour w/ a stop at Harbour Town!  Tuesday and Thursday Nights at 8 pm take a loggerhead tour and talk (sightings not guaranteed) reserve. 689-6767 ext. 223

·     Lighthouse ~ Harbour Town in Sea Pines   Make the most of this trip.  Leave after lunch, go to Harbour Town and climb the lighthouse and play ground.  Take your rollerblades or bikes and visit South Beach to get a cool drink and a Salty Dog T-Shirt then dinner at Truffles in Sea Pines Center.  Keep your pass that you purchased at the gate and if you spend $100 or more in Sea Pines, the $5.00 is credited by that merchant

·     Shop ~ Tangar Outlet malls off Island or Unique Boutiques   Village of Wexford, Coligny Plaza, Harbour Town, Shelter Cove or Sea Pines Center… the shopping is fantastic.  Hit the shops early and on nice days as later in the week and especially on weather days the shops and restaurants are busy.

·     Daufuskie Island ~ Broad Creek Marina 342-8687  Rent a golf cart and check out all the Beach, Marshside Mamas Art Galleries on Daufuskie.  $23.00 Round trip ferry trips per person ~ Rent a 4 passenger golf-cart for $50.00 for the day and explore  $3.00 off per person Coupon in Where to Go Magazine!

·     Real Estate Tours ~ These tours will be informative and educational  and include exciting new opportunities around the Island.  Rainy days are not always the best for the beach, but they are the best days to preview our real estate! (if it looks good on a rainy day, you will love it on a sunny one!)

Our tours will take you into gated communities and into homes and villas that match the price point you are looking for. We have several tours a week(Mon-Sat and Sunday by Appt.) with price ranges as follows:            

             Tour 1 ~ Under $400,000
             Tour 2 ~ $400,000-$700,000
             Tour 3 ~ $700,000-$1,000,0000
             Tour 4 ~ Over 1 million

Let us know which tour you will be interested in.  On the tour you will receive a free Real Estate Information and Negotiation Package  which will include a list of current mortgage rates, a sample contract,  the top ten best buys on the Island, common addendums, a complete list of the foreclosures in the area and our very best listings for sale.   Island Real Estate Packages can be emailed or mailed to you before, after or during your visit.  Tours are not a requirement to request a package.  Thank you.

 Enjoy your summer!  Feel free to e-mail or call us to sign up for a tour or for maps to the Historic Cities above.  Our direct line is 800-932-3652 and our email is islandrealtor@hargray.com . Thank you.

~Happy Summer~

Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers

Dear Property Owners:

If you want to have a free assessment of your property, our 15 point review can provide great insight.  Whether thinking of selling or just want an honest opinion, send us an email and we will complete a quick report including the information below.

This will be a simple exploratory report that gives you a “snapshot” of your property and the surrounding properties.  We will give you some honest feedback on the condition, the properties around it and what is happening in the neighborhood. 

After walking through your property, we will send you feedback including:

1.       The First Impression:

2.       Landscaping(front and back)

3.       Paint(interior/exterior)’

4.       Furnishings

5.       Layout of Interior

6.       Condition inside:

7.       Ease of Access:

8.       Condition outside:

9.       Best Selling Feature/Secondary Selling Feature:

10.       Biggest Objection/Secondary Objection:

11.       Improvement Ideas/Staging Ideas:

12.       Pre-Inspection requirement?

13.       Neighboring Properties        

14.       Areas that need attention

15.       Financing Availability

We hope this is helpful to you.  This report will not include pricing and listing information.  Upon completion of our preliminary study, a pricing and listing study may be completed upon request.  Thank  you.

All the best,

Robbie Bunting

Dear Clients, Friends and Fellow Associates~

We have been tracking the market for two years now by compiling a Monthly Market Trend Report.  This report is exactly what its name implies; it’s an “at a glance” report of current Home, Villa and lot trends for Hilton Head Island. 

This trend tells us where the most robust (busiest) price segments of the market are – i.e. it will tell us where the activity is and where it is not.  It will show us the active number of listings and the sales that occur each month in each pricing segment.  It will give us an actual listing to sale price, the days on the market and the number of months of inventory.

The most critical information that a Market Trend Report will convey is what we call the “Big Three”.  The Big Three are the 3 most vital statistics for any market place in any price range.  The big three statistics are as follows:

1.  Average number of listings taken vs. Average number of sales in a given period which will give us the number of months of inventory that we have. 

2.  Average Days on the Market for properties that do sell when they are correct in price. 

3.  Average List price to Average Sales Price which is an indication of negotiation and the firmness of the market. 

This information is a snapshot of how the market place has performed in the recent past, which is often a good predictor of future market performance. 

If you would like to receive a monthly report via email, plese email us today.  This is not only a good map of where we have been, it points to where we may be going.

All the best,

Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers

Dear Friends, Clients and Fellow Associates~  

Vacation Time!  Everyone needs one!  Despite the recession, with summer right around the corner, the family simply will not be satisfied vacationing in the backyard.  Fortunately Hilton Head Island, South Carolina is an easy one day drive from practically anywhere in the northeast. 

For your visit we have put together a Free Map and the best places to dine.   The pdf below includes Islander Hints, Ideas, Guides and maps to better enjoy the Island.  

Included You Will Find:

·    The Top 10 COOL THINGS for FAMILIES TO DO Map of Hilton Head & Daufuskie Island

·     Latte Lou’s Guide to his favorite places to eat

·     An Islanders Double Top Secret Ideas to enjoy with your family

·     A menu of some of the areas best real estate for sale 

Click Here For Your Free Summertime Maps and Guides

Get ready to relax and recharge those batteries. Whether it is tennis, golf, kayaking, shopping, dining, the beach, or boating you deserve a getaway.  The weather is beautiful, the Island is wonderful and we hope to see you enjoying life on an Island. 

Happy Hilton Head!

Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers

islandrealtor@hargray.com

800-932-3652

P.S.  If you have not yet made your travel arrangements, please feel free to shoot us an email or give us a call.  We have made arrangements with the Island Resorts, Hotels and individual property owners that we can share with you.  Feel free to share this blog address with a friend.  If you are a first time visitor and would like to recieve our e-letter….please be sure to sign up to the right.

P Before you print this e-mail, please think of our environment. Thanks!

Dear Clients, Friends & Fellow Associates ~  

Value must be seen by a buyer before a property will ever sell.  The higher the perceived value, the easier it is to justify a price.   One of the best ways to build the value for a property is to go over the checklist below.  As a fellow real estate friend once told me “we sell space and it is what comes with the space that adds additional value”.  Some call it Spanish Moss and Moon Beams, but whatever you want to call it our Island Real Estate is a value when you consider everything that you get!

Hilton Head Island Offers:

 1 – PGA Tournament
 2.38 – Million Visitors supporting our lifestyle
 3 – Plus colleges in the area area offering continuing education for retirees along with the sports they bring.
 3 – Great art centers in the area including the Art Center with Broadway type shows and talent.
 7 – top college golf tournaments, i.e. at Belfair, Long Cove, Haig Point, Palmetto Hall and others for the enjoyment of all.
 8 – Beach Parks with Access
 9 – Marinas
10 – Beautiful Gated Communities
10 – Great Schools
10 – Historical Landmarks
12 – Public Tennis Courts and over 300 total courts
12 – Miles of Pristine Beach
12 – Major Festivals and celebrations
20 – Island Parks
24 – Island Golf Courses
30 – Miles of Public Bike and fitness Pathways
42.1 – Square Miles of pure beauty
56 – Average Low Temperatures
76 – Average High Temperatures
93 – Beds in the Hilton Head Hospital(acute care)
37,918 – Population Year Round(small but great)
200 – plus college tennis teams come to HHI every year for spring practice giving access to Hilton Head residence to see them play.
200 – plus Days of Sunshine
250 – plus Restaurants
200 – plus Shops and Fantastic Boutiques
32° – 10′44″N  BY  80°44′35″W Latitude & Longitude
4.625 – 30 Year Fixed Conforming Rate
6.625 – 30 Year Fixed Jumbo Rate Today
4,700 – foot runway at Hilton Head Airport

Add these up and you have the best town on the coast to live life, vacation and experience.  Of course, fantastic prices, historical low interest rates and availability of prime properties are certainly subject to change, but the Spanish Moss and Moon Beams never ever change.  Please let us know if you have suggestions that we can add to the above list. We will re-post these additions at the end of the month.  Thank you.

From a great Island to live on,

we are:
Robbie Bunting & Jany Hyers
P.S.  CLICK HERE+ for our best villa, home and home-site values!

Selected Rates as of May 7, 2009:

Market Conditions

The latest report from the National Association of Realtors reports that pending home sales rose 3.2 percent in March.

NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth, said the increase in buying power is quite remarkable. “Compared to a year ago, the typical family can pay much less in mortgage costs for the same home, or buy a better home without necessarily increasing their monthly payment,” he said. “For buyers who’ve been on the sidelines and have good jobs, the market has never looked more favorable. Homeownership has always offered immediate benefits and long-term value, but the advantages in today’s market are unique.”

Regionally, the South saw the best outcome in pending home sales, rising 8.5 percent.

The biggest decrease was seen in the Northeast, dropping 5.7 percent.

Written by Realty Times Staff
May 5, 2009 

10 Ways to Make Your House More Saleable

1.      Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines. Pack away most of your small decorative items. Store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage.

2.      Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.

3.      Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax floors. Clean the stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well cared for.

4.      Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows.

5.      Put higher wattage bulbs in light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms. Replace any burnt-out bulbs.

6.      Make minor repairs that can create a bad impression. Small problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well maintained.

7.      Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks. Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway.

8.      Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.

9.      Clean your gutters.

10.  Polish your front doorknob and door numbers.

5 Things to Do Before You Sell

1.      Get estimates from a reliable repairperson on items that need to be replaced soon, a roof or worn carpeting, for example. In this way, buyers will have a better sense of how much these needed repairs will affect their costs.

2.      Have a termite inspection to prove to buyers that the property is not infested.

3.      Get a pre-sale home inspection so you’ll be able to make repairs before buyers become concerned and cancel a contract.

4.      Gather together warranties and guarantees on the furnace, appliances, and other items that will remain with the house.

5.      Fill out a disclosure form provided by your sales associate. Take the time to be sure that you don’t forget problems, however minor, that might create liability for you after the sale.

5 Ways to Speed up Your Sale

1.      Price it right. Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range.

2.      Get your house market ready for at least two weeks before you begin showing it.

3.      Be flexible about showings. It’s often disruptive to have a house ready to show on the spur of the moment, but the more often someone can see your home, the sooner you’ll find a seller.

4.      Be ready for the offers. Decide in advance what price and terms you’ll find acceptable.

5.      Don’t refuse to drop the price. If your home has been on the market for more than 30 days without an offer, be prepared to lower your asking price.

© 2005 – 2007 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

OUR BUYER BENEFITS

1. You will find a new Listing faster!

You will be contacted or see Properties sometimes before they even hit our Multiple Listing Service and other agents.  Some of the best properties and deals are made quickly in this market. 

1. You will save time!

We know every property, every street and have access to all of the necessary documents that you need to get the right information to make a decision.

1. You will save money!

Our 25 years of negotiation, can help you identify savings including: title insurance, surveys, rental maximization (if chosen), negotiation strategies and how to identify opportunities.  (Sellers pay commission with a published co-op)

1. You Will Get The Help You Need!

Jane Hyers and I are full time and on call every step of the purchasing process. You will find that we love helping you with every detail and are on call from the time you start your search, through negotiation and closing…

1. You Will Love Our Convenience!

We are located in the center of Hilton Head Island on 278 at Palmetto Dunes entry. (M-S, 7:30am-6pm, or Sundays, noon- 6.  We love visitors to share a cup of coffee and our latest properties and best buys.

Robbie Bunting

& Jane Hyers     

                     842-0805 or (800)932-3652                           
Fax: (866)680-1137

islandrealtor@hargray.com

www.robbiebunting.com

Þ     Robbie Bunting is a licensed Real Estate Broker negotiating real estate for sellers and buyers on Hilton Head Island.   Robbie is also a registered representative of Dunes Securities that sells condo hotel units on the beach at the oceanfront Hilton Resort.  He lives on the Island with his wife and two children.

Þ     Jane Hyers is the teams licensed Associate.  Jane provides client services, including feedback, client follow up and marketing coordination.  Jane lives in Palmetto Dunes with her husband.

Þ     Robbie and Jane work at Dunes Marketing Group in the center of Hilton Head Island.  Through this affiliation they gain the strength of 100 full time agents in developing sellers and knowledge of properties before they are put on the market.

Þ     Robbie Bunting is in the top 5% of the REALTORS in the Hilton Head Island Area and one of the top agents with Dunes Marketing Group.  He can get the job done for you

Our Goal

Þ     Robbie Bunting and Jane Hyers goal is to “WOW YOU” with outstanding service before, during and after the Sale (buying & selling.)

Þ     We are focused and full time in our endeavors and personally serve each client the way in which they like to be served.

Þ     Results and relationships matter.  Our long history of satisfied buyers and sellers provides you with a level of comfort in initiating business with us and we would be happy to share our client’s successes with you.

Þ     We offer you the latest in technology, marketing and creativity when it comes to selling property or finding property to purchase.   We know what it takes to provide outstanding service.

Þ     Our target is to create “Raving Fans” in the real estate business.  In order to EARN your future business, your present referrals and your trust we will do what it takes.  We know serving you is an opportunity and a privilege and we take it very seriously

Þ     Upon our first transaction and thereafter, we seek your feedback and your input on our performance in order to become better in the level of service we can provide to you.

Þ     We offer our past clients programs that maximize their ownership.  

Why Choose Us

Þ     We work full time and are easy to reach 7 days a week

Þ     We help our buyers and sellers negotiate the best terms and prices

Þ     We offer creative marketing strategies that have successfully helped our buyers and sellers achieve their individual goals.

Þ     We assist our clients in every aspect and detail of the real estate purchase, sale, ownership and enjoyment of their Hilton Head Property.

Þ     We have established a network with 1,300 REALTORS ®, 100 Dunes Marketing Agents, thousands of buyers and sellers through our 25 years of helping others sell and buy real estate on Hilton Head Island.

Þ     We are centrally located on Hilton Head Island and convenient to all the Island Locations and know the ins and outs of the Island Market.

Þ     We have a long list of satisfied “clients for life” that continue to buy and sell utilizing our expertise and knowledge of the market.

Þ     We are upbeat and enjoyable to work throughout the process of buying and selling.

Þ     We will make a difference and feel that you can always call on us and count on us for integrity, competence, comfort and performance.

Call on us!  We would love to prove to you how hard we work for you>

Thanks!

Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers

800-932-3652