To the left is the market trend report for February. There is some great news in this report taht we would love to share with you.  We see some market improvements and new sales taking place in some of the higher priced properties which means the market is almost firing on all cylinders.  The most critical information that our Hilton Head Monthly Market Trend Report conveys is what I call the “Big Three”. Read the rest of this entry

The most critical information that our Hilton Head Monthly Market Trend Report conveys is what I call the “Big Three”.  These are the vital statistics for determining negotiation or pricing and include:

1. Average List price to Average Sales Price ~ This is a direct indicator of negotiation opportunity and the firmness of the market.  Buyers and sellers can benefit by understanding this number
2. Average Days on the Market ~ This time frame applies to properties that are priced correctly for their condition and location.
3. 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 available for sale.  This can help buyers and sellers determine strategy.

This report is a snapshot of how the market place has performed in the recent past, which is often a good predictor of future market performance for sellers and buyers.  If you would like to receive a monthly report by mail or e-mail, please email us at robbie@robbiebunting.com or call Jane Hyers to set up a phone appointment at (843)785-7111.  This is not only a good map of where we have been, it points to where we may be going.  Happy Hilton Head!  Robbie Bunting

One buyer from last year, just purchased their 3rd home because they put long term renters(greater than 12 months) into the other 2.  I called them before they closed on this home and offered another long term rental prospect, but the buyer wanted a place that they could use and enjoy(for this winter at least until we find another one for them).  We asked a local long term rental expert, Keith Miller from Miller Long Term Rentals to share with us some information about the long term rental market needs. Read the rest of this entry

Thanks to our friends at Hampton Hall for this excellent golf membership comparison below.  If you would like club membership information packages on any of the clubs below, please contact us at robbie@robbiebunting.com or call us toll free at 800-932-3652.   Read the rest of this entry

Mark Twain and Will Rogers shared a sentiment as Twain said, “Buy land, they’re not making it anymore”.  This is especially true on an Island, like Hilton Head.  With over 97% of the Island developed there are timing opportunities that exist right now with vacant land.  In fact, last week one of our home owners on the Island purchased the land adjacent to his home to protect his privacy and for investment.  Land is one of the easiest forms of ownership and the land deals today are very compelling! Read the rest of this entry

We study market trends and know that there are some times of year that are better than others to sell Hilton Head Properties.  If you have considered buying or selling real estate these seasonal trends can be your friend.  We looked to Zillow to show the Best Selling Seasons on Hilton Head that took place last year. Read the rest of this entry

We were dancing the “hokey pokey” as real estate buyers put one foot in and took one foot out the last few years on Hilton Head.  In the 4th quarter of 2011, however, we saw buyers put both feet into the market as half-backs, second home owners and baby boomers bought properties on the Island.  As we jump into 2012, David Crowell, the largest mortgage broker on Hilton Head Island confirms the “break through market” we are heading for with his forecasts below. Read the rest of this entry

Between Christmas and New Years is the perfect time to reflect on last year and fashion our Hilton Head Realtor’s Resolutions.  While we got news that everyone was enjoying the 85 degree weather and sunny beaches on Hilton Head, we celebrated our 18th Christmas in Philadelphia with our college bound teens and family after a brief stint in Killington, Vermont.  This years teenager gifts included Subway cards, clothes, electronics and more electronics.  Following suit in the real estate market, technology continued to play a major role in the 2011 Hilton Head Real Estate Market.

1. Personal Service with Technology on Hilton Head

We recognize the need for technology and welcome the change.  Our sellers now receive feedback faster and our buyers now receive listings as soon as they hit the market(or even sometimes before), but our personal one on one interaction with our clients will never change.  Recently we helped an out of town buyer furnish their home with furnishings from a home that was sold in another community by another broker and helped one of our sellers prepare their home for the market on their budget.  Paying attention and going one step further is our mantra because our clients and our network expect and deserve both.

2.  We will save money on Real Estate Transactions

With 26 years of selling real estate on Hilton Head Island, our negotiating skills help our clients save money.  Some of the tools we use to help in negotiation include our monthly market trend reports for timing opportunities for buyers and sellers.  Although there are some fun negotiating ideas, nothing beats experience.  Our goal is to help our clients achieve a higher selling price for sellers or a lower purchase price for our buyers.  We can show you how.

3.   Free Stuff for Hilton Head Buyers and Sellers

We love to exceed our clients expectations and will be adding more free programs in 2012 including: free 2 hour staging,  free landscape review, a free re-inspection for our buyers by their chosen property inspector, a free CHAMP Warranty for buyers, free “second opinion” for our buyers and sellers, free no commitment property review for property owners, free Hilton Head weekly email update, free financial consultation by our financial guru, free monthly market trend reports, free real estate consultation with an attorney prior to signing a contract, our short sale specialist, our contractors and other service providers.

4.  Save Time on Hilton Head

We will save you time in selling your property or discovering the right property to buy. After selling real estate on Hilton Head Island on Hilton Head Island for over 26 years,  we are well connected on the Island.  If we do not have the answer or the property, we will open our network to find it for you.  We are a drop and go group that always will put your needs first.  Contact us and you will see.

5.  The Right People on Hilton Head

Almost every day we repair, replace, fix, shop, inspect, furnish, accessorize, research or in some way help our clients improve their properties.  Our vendors and service providers must receive positive reviews and comments by our clients to continue to be referred by us(we love feedback).  These service providers are available from us whether selling, buying, fixing or just researching.   Email us or call anytime for our up an up to date recommendation or property review(if you are unsure what you may need to enter the market).

6. World Wide Networks in 2012

The world wide web offers the opportunity to grow our network.  We now have thousands that subscribe to our blog and our network is growing.  We now advertise and promote our properties on Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com VisualTours.com, our personal websites, our weekly blog, our affiliate websites, our 1500 international offices, our companies websites, and newspapers around the country with HomeFinder.  The bigger our network becomes the more chances for our clients success.

7.  A STRONG FIRST IMPRESSION

Our commitment to our sellers is great photography, meaningful well written property descriptions, fantastic marketing strategies, proper preparations including our listing checklist before getting a property on the market and proper positioning.  We are big believers that you only get one shot at a good first impression.  We measure our success by the number of showings and offers that we can generate through our marketing efforts.  Please note: some tweaking may be required and we are always looking to see what marketing adjustments we need to make.

8.  Outside the Box

We study the Hilton Head real estate market to spot trends for our clients and change to meet the market demands.  Through our market research we can provide valuable timing insights that can help in negotiation or help us in our marketing efforts.  Computers may provide information, but it is our goal to provide usable knowledge.  We will go outside the box to find the answers and solutions to get the job done.  Our marketing programs currently measure success and show what we need to work on and as a seller you will receive weekly updates on how we are doing.

9.  Going Green with Faster Paperless Transactions

Our goal is to do more for our clients with the aid of the Internet.  Our contracts are now scanned and soon will be completely on-line with digital signature.  No need for Fed-Ex, Scanning, mail or copiers.  Transaction speed will allow us to move quickly from offers to contract status seamlessly once negotiations begin.  This will be better for both our buyer and seller clients as they will lock into a deal sooner than later.  Please note we are still capable of faxing, phoning or mailing if you prefer.

10.  Selling great relationships on Hilton Head.

Jane Hyers and I are service fanatics and provide great, caring service that produces results you can count on.  Our goal is to take your expectations to a new level and provide the very best real estate selling or buying experience you will ever have on or off Hilton Head Island. While we embrace the internet to market property, we will continue to build upon the ”word of mouth” marketing programs that help us sell our properties .  We attend weekly meetings and welcome invitations to present ourselves to our piers and introduce ourselves and our properties.  We will continue to call around our listings to inform neighbors, experts and prospects about our properties and tap into the river of communication within our neighborhoods.

In  2010 and 2011 we adjusted for the market and we have listed our Resolutions.  Cheers to a Happy New Year 2012!

Our best to you!

Robbie Bunting and Jane Hyers

Listed below are the top 10 best blogs that we posted in 2011 based on Google Analytics.  These blogs were the highest read blogs of the year.  Just click on the link below to revisit any of these articles. If you would like to see the entire list of blogs, just click this link to our archive.  Please let us know via email what your favorite blog article in 2011 was and what you would like to see in 2012!  Thank you.

The Top 10 Blogs in 2011:

10.  How to buy a short sale property on Hilton Head Island(Feb 16)

 9.   Hilton Head Half Time Long Term Rental Update(June 8)

 8.   A Blurb about Hilton Head Trends(Jan 12)

 7.   Hilton Head Island Homes for $250,000 will sell like hotcakes!(Sept 21)

 6.   Do sellers recieve a 1099 in a foreclosure and a short sale?(Aug 23)

 5.   Beaufort County Real Estate Tax Appeals(Nov 12)

 4.   Pros/Cons for buyers of Short Sales on Hilton Head Island(Mar 9)

 3.   Charles Fraser, the alligator and the story(March 22)

 2.   Attention Hilton Head Shoppers first come, first serve on these villas(July 18)

 1.   Thanksgiving meals on Hilton Head Island(Nov 4)