We loved 2013 and while we are sad to see it go, we are ready for 2014.  In the year ahead, it is our hope to remain humble and hungry as we continue to build Hilton Head Properties, Realty and Rentals.  Listed below are our some New Years Resolutions that we offer to our fellow property owners in the Hilton Head, Bluffton and Daufuskie areas.  We look forward to helping you achieve your goals in 2014!

1.  Make a Real Estate Plan

Do you plan to move to the Hilton Head Area in the next 5 years?  Are you considering upgrading or downsizing?  Do you have the best rental company, the best insurance policy, the best interest rate, the best property manager or the best remodeler for your individual property?  A planning session with a Hilton Head Properties Realtor can save you time and money… and it’s Free!

2.  Increase your Market Value

Simple improvements can boost selling price and time on the market.  We will put together a list of suggestions and ideas that can help you achieve the highest selling price.  This list will be based on return and may only involve shoving and pushing the furniture for re-arrangement.  We will also include a pre-inspection checklist and the best service people to help you get the highest and best price.  Not every kitchen needs granite!

3. Maximize your Rental Income on your vacation property

Are you satisfied with your rental income on your vacation property?  Hilton Head Properties is adding a “VRBO Only” rental component for any property owner that would like to increase their bottom line.  We have our property manager in place and our new signs are going up any day now.  Hilton Head Properties, Realty and Rentals will help you achieve your rental goals.  If you respond today, our introductory commission rate for this VRBO offers 5% off per rental!

4. Shop Local with our Great “Re-People”

Our list of local contractors and service people will help you save time and money and you will be reinvesting in the local economy.  Whether re-carpeting, re-painting, re-modeling, re-furnishing or re doing anything, give us a call and we will send a list of our preferred re-people.

5. Keep All Property receipts

Keep a folder of all your receipts on your Hilton Head Property.   These receipts should include furnishings, heating/air repairs, replacements, appliances, Hot water heater, furnishings, carpeting, lighting fixtures, painting and any other improvement or change you make to your property.  These receipts help us when marketing your property to build value.  They will also help you with your accountant if you bifurcate for depreciation or a sale.  As well, if we have a question in the inspection after the sale, these receipts could save you thousands if there is a question about the property.  Keep all your receipts!

5. Shop Insurance Annually

How many times do you upgrade your cellphone plan?  Property insurance is like this too.  Every year there are new programs that offer you savings for your home or villa in the Hilton Head Area.  When added together these savings could provide an owner with some serious savings.  We recently had one of our property owners save over $1,500 annually on their home and $750 on their car.  Let us know and we will see what we can put together for you.

6. Start a home maintenance Calendar

There are specific times of the year that you should schedule maintainence for your property.  Our maintenance calendar will help you remember everything from battery replacement on the smoke alarms, filter changes on the HVAC units, fertilizing schedules, best times to paint, best times to shop insurance, best time to switch rental companies, best time to plant, best time to swap out lighting, when to change “O” rings on toilets, when to refinish flooring and best times to visit the Island to complete these maintenance items(with possible travel write-offs for property owners).   Email us and we will send to you a free home maintenance calendar.

7.  Use the 30 day and the 3 year rule

This idea comes from a retired colonel.  He said that when you buy a property, complete all the improvements in the first 3o days of your move or you will never do it.  His logic was life gets busy and if you do not do anything in the first 30 days, chances are you will never get them done.  His other rule was if you do not use something in your garage or attic in 3 years, donate it throw it out.  I have seen some attics and owners closets that could really use these rules.

8. Pay for an appraisal or a Free CMA

Do you know the current market value of your Hilton Head, Daufuskie or Bluffton Property?  Chances are in the last few years this number has changed.  If you would like to updatefor  your portfolio with a current value you can either pay for an appraisal or call your local Realtor and request a CMA(Comparative Market Analysis).  This would be included free of charge with our company and is important for making a real estate plan above(#1 above).  This is a great estate planning tool!  Email us for a free no-commitment CMA.

9. Improve your Photos

Light, bright and great photos of your property will help in renting property and for insurance purposes.  If you have your property on a rental website or listed for rent, take a look at every photo to make sure they are light and bright and all clutter has been removed from counters and surfaces.  These same photos should be printed and kept in your real estate folder that holds your receipts as they can help you for insurance purposes.  If you do not have great photos, send us an email and we will send you 25 great photos of your property.

10. Stay in the Loop

We offer free with no commitment great resources and information to make purchasing, selling or owning Hilton Head property easier, more profitable and fun.  If you would like to subscribe to our e-newsletter(we call it our blog), please click here.  You will love the information that includes local events, real estate ownership ideas, island trivia, local service providers and great articles.  We would also love it if you would refer a friend and they would too.  Of course our list is confidential and if at any time you would like to unsubscribe, no problem.

 Whatever you need…Contact a Hilton Head Properties Agent

We wish for you a prosperous and very happy New Year!  For anything mentioned above or a special request, please email us at info@HiltonHeadProperties.Biz or call us anytime at (843)785-7111.  You can also pop by and see our new digs at 12 New Orleans anytime.  We would love to hear from you.  Happy 2014!