We hope everyone had a memorable Thanksgiving Day last week and enjoyed the long holiday weekend.

With December officially upon us, residents can expect temperatures to continue to dip as we head into the New Year.

So today, we wanted to share with you some relatively easy home improvements that you can make that will save you money during the winter months.

Home Tips for Saving Yourself Money This Winter

Here are 10 home improvements that you can make this winter that will save you both money and energy:

Caulk around windows and doors, making sure that all cracks and holes are sealed. This will keep the cold air out of your house, which will keep your heater from working overtime. If necessary, you might also consider adding or replacing weather stripping.

Add area rugs to your tile and wood floors. This creates an extra layer of insulation in your home and also makes it easier to walk around your home in bare feet during the winter time.

Install glass doors that close off your fireplace. This will not only keep cold air from coming down and through your house but it will also prevent warm air from escaping through the chimney. Also, if you use your fireplace, make sure to close the flue when you’re finished.

Insulate your attic door. For instance, you can buy covers for your attic staircases or openings. This will actually help you reduce energy costs all year long.

Cover your windows. Even if you don’t have storm windows, you can create your own with a window insulation kit. And inside your house, consider using insulated drapes.

Buy Insulated Garage Doors and Exterior Doors. Typically, the garage doors that come with most homes aren’t insulated. You can change that to save on energy costs.

Add insulation to your home throughout. This includes in the attic as well as the crawl space, garage and basement. Experts recommend that you add insulation if you haven’t done so in more than 20 years.

Reverse Ceiling fans. Some people may not be aware of this but you actually have the option of reversing your ceiling fans. Running them counterclockwise makes it cooler during the summer months but by making them clockwise, they will circulate warm air back into the room.

Replace your furnace filters. Just like with anything else, dirty furnace filters will make it work less efficiently. Generally speaking, filters should be changed every month during the heating season.

Replace your outdated furnace altogether. If your furnace is older, you might consider purchasing a newer unit that is going to produce more heat with less energy. Just make sure that you get the right size for the space you have.

If you want to take your home-savings even further this winter, you can check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s do-it-yourself energy audit on their website. Or you can call a contractor and request a professional audit.

Offering You National Home Advice You Won’t Find Anywhere Else

We hope you found this information helpful as a current home owner.

Please be sure to check back soon as we continue to provide you with useful and relevant real estate information!

More and more home buyers are returning to the US housing market because they’re noticing favorable market conditions.

Specifically, buyers are feeling more comfortable about navigating the market thanks to interest rate stabilization and easier mortgage rules, according to a recent article by Reuters.

This is fantastic news for the overall health of the housing market. After all, it suggests that the national real estate market is likely to become more stable over time.

Trends That US Home Buyers Should Be Aware Of

According to the recent Reuters article, new home builders D.R. Horton Inc and Toll Brothers Inc. are seeing jumps in home buyer demand.

And they’re not the only ones.

In fact, new home builders everywhere are reporting improved home buyer enthusiasm, which has been a great relief to many of the companies after an underwhelming spring home selling season.

And pre-owned home sales are also reflecting similar home buyer enthusiasm levels.

Here’s what else the national home buyer should know about recent trends on the housing market:

• Interest rates decreased in October to their lowest levels since June 2013
• In fact, these interest rates are still considered to be at historic lows.
• The Dow Jones U.S. home construction index increased about 4 percent this year so far. And this increase came after the index already doubled between January 2012 and January 2014.
• Meanwhile, new proposed rules will allow buyers to purchase homes with down payments as low as 3 percent.

The proposed rules are great news for first-time home buyers, who are a key part of any housing market recovery. In fact, some experts believe that the housing market recovery will speed up as soon as more first-time home buyers enter the market.

And a faster housing market recovery is good news for everyone!

Meanwhile, In Canada…

The real estate market conditions in Canada are looking just as encouraging, with Canadian resale home prices continuing to rise in October.

Prices were up 5.4 percent from a year earlier, which is right on par with September’s year-on-year gain.

What’s more, October marked the 11th month in a row that the index has increased. Still, it should be noted that prices rose in only five out of the 11 metropolitan markets surveyed.

Prices rose 1.2 percent in Vancouver and rose 0.5 percent in Calgary. Toronto saw prices decrease 0.2 percent.

Your Central Source for Housing Market News

Check back here soon for more valuable updates on the current state of the national housing market and how they may impact you as buyers and sellers.

We pride ourselves on offering you relevant and reliable information that will help you make the best real estate decision possible for you and your family!

Price Improvements for End of Year Shoppers

Step into the New Year with a fun Hilton Head Property.  Right now interest rates, great values, great properties and fantastic rentals make this the perfect time to purchase a Hilton Head property.  As well, buying this time of year allows you to hit the ground running in the new year with rental income.  If you are ready to get started we have listed below some great villa opportunities on Hilton Head  Island below.  Call us anytime for more information on any of these properties.  We can email you floor plans, rental histories(noted below), additional photos, expenses of ownership and the seller disclosure on file, simply email us at Robbie@robbiebunting.com or call me anytime at (843)785-7111 ext 1.  Thank you.

Just Click on any of the Photos below for the visual tour and more information. 

41 The Moorings in Palmetto Dunes $339,000(over $25,000 in owner direct rentals)

39 Fazio Villa in Palmetto Dunes – $329,000 ($25,000 to $30,000 projected)

7627 Huntington Villas in Palmetto Dunes – $419,000(over $37,000 in 2014)

9B The Links in Port Royal – $449,000 (over $30,000 in 2014)

602 Barrington Park in Palmetto Dunes – $539,000(almost $40,000 projected)

422 Captains Walk in Palmetto Dunes – $749,000 (over $60,000 in 2014)

441 Captains Walk in Palmetto Dunes – $948,000 (over $70,000 in 2104)

Meet Terry Sundling with Absentee by the Sea.  Terry helps second home owners keep an eye on their property from afar.  His company makes routine visits to home and villas, oversees projects, cleaning services, is a first responder to alarm systems, hurricane preparation, coordinates service personnel and completes photo documentation of  the properties under his care. 

Not only does this help the owner keep up with their property, but these records can build value in the resale.  Absentee by the Sea also completes a walk through after every rental handled by Hilton Head Properties R and R assuring that everything is in place for the next rental.  This proactive approach helps owners address any issues before they become problems. 

Please contact Terry Sundling at (843)422-5064 or via email at terry@absenteebythesea.com .  You can also visit AbsenteeByTheSea.com. 

They say “Timing is everything” in life and this is especially true when it comes to Hilton Head real estate.  In the past, the best deals made on the Island were made because the purchaser was lucky and their timing was good.  They just happened to be on Hilton Head Island when a property that matched their needs was on the market.  In today’s market however, a purchaser does not need to count on luck to find the perfect property.  Read the rest of this entry

U.S. homes sold at a faster rate in September than any other time this year, a recent report from the National Association of Realtors said.

Evidently, sales of existing homes increased 2.4 percent from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.17 million.

Experts are saying that this increase is a great sign that the housing market is picking up and moving past the slowdown that started in mid-2013.

More Encouraging Signs on the National Housing Market

The National Association of Realtors provided some additional information that helps paint a more complete picture of the current state of the housing market:

• The sales rate has dropped 1.7 percent over the past 12 months.
• First-time home buyers comprised about 29 percent of all sales. This is below the historic average of roughly 40 percent.
• Median home prices increased 5.6 percent over the last 12 months to $209,700.
• September sales increased in the South and West compared to the previous month.
• Meanwhile, sales increased slightly in the Northeast and dropped in the Midwest.
• Nationally, the share of purchases by investors decreased from 19 to 14 percent year-over-year.
• The report projects that 4.94 million existing homes will be sold this year, down 3 percent from 5.09 million in 2013.
• Generally speaking, real estate experts say 5.5 million existing home sales is a healthy market.
• Meanwhile, housing starts increased 6.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.017 million homes, although much of that was new apartment buildings.
• Apartment construction has jumped 30.3 percent over the past 12 months, almost three times the rate of growth for single-family houses.

Many Forces Are at Work to Create These Conditions, Analysts Said.

For instance, over the last year, fewer investors have entered the market. Luckily, their pullback has been offset by existing homeowners who are moving up to more expensive properties or downsizing as empty nesters.

Meanwhile, some would-be buyers have been kept out of the market because of rising prices through much of 2013, weak income growth and tighter credit standards.

Experts are now predicting that the worst of the housing market recession is over but that the economy and housing market will likely grow in fits and starts.

One development that might help with this growth is the fact that the federal regulator overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is considering creating an option for lower down payments so more people can qualify for a mortgage.

And because the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage dropped below 4 percent recently, experts are expecting more buyers to enter the market.

In Fact, Many Signs Suggest Now Is a Great Time to Be A Buyer

For instance, online real estate brokerage Redfin said that only 44 percent of its offers in October faced bidding wars. This is down form a high of 75 percent in March 2013.

Meanwhile, more homes are expected to become available on the market thanks to many investors’ plans to sell for tax reasons at the end of the year.

So if you’ve been sitting on the fence about whether to invest in property, now is a great time to do so!

Your #1 Real Estate Resource

We believe that knowledge is power and so we work hard to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information on the national housing market. Hopefully you found today’s report helpful!

Check back here soon for more valuable insight on the recent trends on the national housing market and how they may impact your efforts as a buyer or seller!

1. Hilton Head is easy to get to and from!  A client told me the other day told that they were looking at places far away, but came back to Hilton Head Island because they would use it more.  I am sure there is a point of diminishing return when you factor distance to use.  Click here to read driving distances to Hilton Head from many cities.  On top of that, with two convenient airports, Hilton Head Island is one of the easiest Island’s to travel to or from.
2. Hilton Head’s weather is subtropical!  The Island is kept warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer by ocean breezes over the warm sea(that is why you see people swimming in the ocean in January).  In fact, our moderate winter days are typically warmer than other inland southern cities.  Winter months offer sub tropical temperatures that are perfect for snowbirds or vacationers looking for a warm weather escape.
3. Hilton Head is surrounded by beauty and amenities! With 53 miles of bike pathways, 12 miles of beaches, 24 Championship Golf Courses,  260 + tennis courts , Chaplan Park, Crossings Park, 1300 acres of land owned parks, some of the best things about living on Hilton Head Island is the natural beauty that we never take for granted.
4. Hilton Head offers small town living with big city benefits!  Hilton Head Island’s year round population is just under 40,000, but the Island offers incredible restaurants, a great hospital, airport, library, sensational shopping, fabulous grocery stores and even a PGA golf tournament.
5. Hilton Head is in the center of everything!  Hilton Head is located in the geographic center of Beaufort, Savannah, and Charleston.  These historical cities are easy day trips from Hilton Head Island.  As well, living on an Island that is 5 miles x 12 miles, one is never far from anything.
6. Hilton Head has happy people living here!  Hilton Head is a lifestyle choice as very few are ever transferred to the Island for their work.  That and over 200+ days of sunshine really make Islanders a very happy bunch.  They say hello when they are out and even may waive when they drive by.
7. Hilton Head has great festivals and events!  The Island festivals include Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter events that make Island living fun.  You can also visit the chamber’s  festival calendar to see what is going on anytime of the year.
8. Hilton Head appeals to all!  Great schools attract the families, warm weather and great amenties attract the retiree and second home owner and for the professional(doctors, teachers and business) Hilton Head offers a high quality lifestyle near the beach.
9. Hilton Head is a limited finite resource.  It an Island that is 97% developed.  We’re not sure how long the seats will last, but right now you can buy awesome real estate on Hilton Head Island.   Whether it’s a villa, home or a homesite for someday, you can find paradise.  Give me a call at (843)785-7111 ext. 1 or send me an email and I will send you some ideas.
10. Hilton Head still offers the best things for free(or almost free)  Soaking up sun on the beach, enjoying a sunset over the water, paddling a kayak, a rusty bike ride, a dip in the ocean, sitting under a moss covered oak, counting the stars and enjoying the colors in the October sky, walking the beach are all of the best reasons to live on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

If you’ve been weighing whether now is the right time to enter the local housing market as a home buyer, we have some news to share with you that will help you decide.

According to a recent report from real estate data provider CoreLogic, U.S. home price gains are slowing down, despite an increase during the month of August.

This is great news for home buyers because it means that you have a fantastic opportunity to get a reasonable price on your next home before prices continue to rise!

What Every Home Buyer Should Know About Recent US Housing Market Activity

CoreLogic reported that home prices increased 6.4 percent in August when compared to last year.

Still, that figure is actually down slightly from the annual gain of 6.8 percent in July.

Here’s what else the recent housing market report revealed:

• The increase in home prices is also down when compared to how much they had been rising toward the end of last year. During that time, prices were rising as much as 12 percent.
• Home sales have been mostly stable throughout 2014, as have price gains.
• All states showed home price gains during the month of August, save for Arkansas where prices were stagnate.
• Home values rose 11.1 percent in Michigan, which led the pack. And values in California and Nevada came in second place with 9.2 percent.
• In terms of specific cities, the Houston area saw home values increase 11.1 percent compared to the previous year. Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas and Riverside also saw large gains.
• Home prices nationwide remain about 12.1 percent below their peak average in April 2006.
• Home purchases decreased 1.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.05 million in August.
• Home sales decreased from a July rate of 5.14 million.
• Meanwhile, the pace of home sales dropped 5.3 percent year-over-year.
• Experts say that an annual sales rate of 5.5 million is considered a healthy market.
• Meanwhile, the median sales price has increased 4.8 percent over the last 12 months to $219,800, although that average dropped slightly during the month of August when compared to July and June.

Experts say that most of any uptick in sales activity (and thus, values) on the national housing market would depend on wage growth. That’s because wages are currently neck-in-neck with inflation, making it hard for home buyers to increase in buying power.

Still, there’s hope on the horizon:

Although hourly wages have only increased 2.3 percent over the last 12 months, there are signs that that activity will pick up in 2015.

Use Recent Activity on the National Housing Market to Your Advantage

As you can see, the market has stabilized itself enough where you could purchase a home and get a pretty good return on your investment as values eventually continue to rise.

So if you’re thinking about investing in real estate anytime soon, now is the time to do so!

And be sure to check back here soon as we continue to discuss with you important real estate trends that impact you!