Dear Friends, Clients and Fellow Associates~

We asked Cary Griffin of McNair Law Firm to provide a list of communities and their respective transfer fees for buyers, sellers and agents.  Simply click for a readable (and printable) list of these fees below:

                                       Plantation Dues & Transfer Fees 2009

 Please do not take a chance on time…the costs are low for what you get.  Come dance on the beach and enjoy life now!  

All the best,

 
Robbie Bunting &
Jane Hyers

Dear Clients, Friends and Fellow Associates~

The other day a client that was considering a villa purchase and heard that insurance was expensive in this area.  He was from an area that offered lower insurance rates, but higher taxes(Long Island).  As we compared our rates and taxes to his taxes and rates we found that ours were lower.  However when we compared lifestyles and temperatures on Hilton Head Island to Long Island we come out way ahead. 

A Newbies guide to Insurance coverage on Hilton Head Island:

Insurance for Villas on Hilton Head

When you purchase a villa or condo the Insurance for the structure is typically billed by the regime fee.  The regime fee usually covers part of the insurance costs for the year and as insurance is billed annually, the regime will bill the owner for any shortfalls.  A policy every owner should get on their condo or villa is for contents and liability.  These policies are typically under $1,000 per year.

The three parts of Insuring a home in the Low Country. 

1. The first part is your homeowners coverage.  Your Homeowners Policy will cover your home for losses due to fire, lightning, water pipe leaks, as well as liability, in case someone is hurt on your property.
2. The second part of the Insurance is the wind coverage. This is issued through the SC Wind & Hail Association. Typically we see homes listed with a 3% deductible. To explain what that means – if you have damage caused by a regular wind storm, the deductible is 1% of the home value. If you have damage done by a “named storm” or hurricane the deductible is 3%.
3. The third part of the Insurance is flood coverage. This  will be offered through the Federal Flood Program. The maximum coverage is 250,000 on the dwelling and 100,000 contents. This is a Preferred Flood Program and those are the set limits.

If you have any questions regarding insurance or wish to shop your current programs we have listed three agents and the companies they work for:

Insurance agents on the Hilton Head Island

Jeff Althoff, Agent
Beaufort County Farm Bureau
PO Box 4488
Beaufort, SC 29903
Ph:   843-522-0031 Ext. 234
Cell: 843-812-2921
Fax: 843-522-0785
jeffalthoff@scfbins.com

Teena Farrell, CISR
Agent/Broker
Seacoast Insurance
843-341-1676
tfarrell@seacoastinsurance.com

Don Earnhart
Kinghorn Insurance
1160 Fording Island Road (Hwy 278)
Bluffton, SC, 29910
843-837-8000
Dearnhardt@kinghorninsurance.com

If you need a home or villa, right now the pickings have never been better.  If you cannot find it in this market you will never find it.  Please visit www.robbiebunting.com for home, villas, lots and visual tours!

Happy insuring…

Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers

800-932-3652

robbie@robbiebunting.com

Dear Clients, Friends and Fellow Associates~

Real estate is like hockey.  I started thinking about this the other day when I was watching my son play ice hockey in Charleston. My son’s coaches tell the players to “keep their heads up” as they skate with the puck down the ice.  Hockey players keep their heads up or become easy targets by the other team members!  As I thought about this advice, I realized that this was smart advice for hockey or in business.  By keeping our heads up our attitudes are better and we are less likely to get knocked down as we head towards our goal.

You cannot play hockey or real estate sitting on your butt. 

My dad told me this when I first started my career in real estate.  Realtors and Hockey players may get knocked down from time to time if they are in pursuit of achieving their goals.  It is that simple.  If you have not been knocked on your butt it means you are not in the game.  The key is to get off your butt and skate or sell.

Real Estate and Hockey both require contact. 

My mom taught me that real estate is a contact sport.  As in hockey, real estate agents need to be shoulder to shoulder with their client in order to close a sale.   In fact, my mom had a buyer and seller in a stalemate and rather than trying to fight it out, she invited both of them to breakfast together.  She believes in contact and she closed the deal. 

Real Estate agents and Hockey players must stay focused on the goal. 

As you head towards your goal it is very likely you will have outside pressures that can take you further from achieving them.  The key is to stay focused and never give up.  As a realtor or hockey player it is important to know what your goals are and work towards achieving them.

Real Estate agents and Hockey players need coaches. 

A good coach helps agents and hockey players achieve and see things differently.  My coach has pulled me forward in business strategy.   Not only does he make me focus on my daily game, he is alway improving my skills and planning the next game.  Hockey coaches work the same way, the only difference is as an agent I appreciate not having to do suicides after losing my last sale.

So if you are a hockey player(like my son) or a real estate agent(like me) the key to making a goal or making a sale is to keep your head up, listen to your coach, focus on the goal and don’t ever give up.  I look forward to working with you in the future as we head towards our goals together.

From an Island without Ice,

 
Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers

Dear Clients, Friends & Fellow Associates ~

A long time ago, a fellow agent pulled me aside and said, “Robbie, clients really do not care know how much you know, until they know how much you care!”  This has helped shaped my future dealings with all buyers and sellers.  Along the way though I have also learned that buyers and sellers want a few basics before they get down to business.  These basics include competence, confidence and an intent statement.  They become a road map for the sales process to flow smoothly.  +++CLICK HERE to read about freebies, competency and intent!

Here are some other interesting links:

+++CLICK HERE if air conditioning replacement is suggested!

+++CLICK HERE for new remodeling trends for villas and homes!

+++CLICK HERE for pre-packaged golf rounds on Hilton Head!

+++CLICK HERE for five great Open Homes this Sunday!

We are building our business on each success, this is a recommendation written by one of my clients recently:

“Robbie is efficient, personable and effective. Always gets answers, always stays on track, always listens and does whatever is humanly possible to work with your through a project. Highly recommended.”

Enjoy Fall on an Island~~

Robbie Bunting

& Jane Hyers 

robbie@robbiebunting.com

800-932-3652 

P.S.  This is the time of year to think cozy and intimate.  la famiglia is located in Plantation Center behind Santa Fe and offers a great Eggplant Cutlet Parmigiano at lunch.  CLICK HERE+++ for four special offers.

Dear Clients, Friends and Fellow Associates~

Why renovate before you sell your property?  The benefits of remodeling now include making your space more livable with savings that are available today.  I asked Bunting Construction on Hilton Head Island to give us some insight to remodeling.  Although Bunting Construction has built intricate ocean-front homes with artists that paint ceilings, they started their business remodeling older homes in the Sea Pines area.  The company does not settle for middle and simply does things right with a high standard and a fair price.

A note from Scott Bunting of Bunting Construction

Thanks for calling us about the building and remodeling trends on the Island.  We have found that our clients often know what they want and have some very good ideas on how we can help them when it comes to remodeling projects on their homes.  We have been blowing out spaces to create new and exciting environments for them.  We recently completed a remodel on an oceanfront villa in Palmetto Dunes and took this villa to the studs(see our website below) and redefined and improved the space.  

Our recent projects include:  

+ Kitchen Areas – A kitchen is the heart of a home and many of our clients are opening up their kitchen to other areas of their home.  The advantage to this project is we can take this space and make everything open and brighter with the benefit of more space.  We often remove walls and relocate cabinetry to accomplish a better utilization of this space.  Many of our kitchens are also adding new granite countertops, additional counter space, cabinetry, recycling centers, walk in pantries, and island work areas.

+Sun Porches – Bring in the Sun!  Given the cooler temperatures we are experiencing outside, many of our clients are looking to add a screened in porch to their existing home.  We have found that these porches can coexist with side or back areas of the home as they meet set-backs.  We have also been adding some skylights so we do not darken interior spaces that are adjacent to these porches.  As many of our clients wish to use these spaces year round, we have also been adding windows and doors to create a great sun room.

+Master Suites – It is said kitchens and baths can sell a home and many of our clients are looking for more closet space in their existing master bedrooms.  We have found that often we can combine space from other areas including screened porches, offices, closets and hallways to reconfigure the space and provide bigger and better master suites.  Our projects usually include adding linen closets, separate showers, higher vanities, and whirlpool tubs. 

Despite the economy, remodeling is still one of the better and stronger investments anyone can make because you get to enjoy it now. At Bunting Construction we are set to help your clients with these projects.  We work closely with both an interior decorator and designer to make this process seamless and easy.  Our pride is in our craftsmanship. 

If you have something that you would like us to look at give us a call or have your clients contact us directly.  Thank You.

Sincerely,

Scott Bunting
Bunting Construction Company, Inc
sbunting@buntingcompany.com
www.buntingcompany.com
0ffice 843-842-9033  Fax 843-842-9209  Cell: 843-384-7468

Dear Clients, Friends & Fellow Associates ~

A long time ago, a fellow agent pulled me aside and said, “Robbie, clients do not care know how much you know, until they know how much you care!”  This has helped shaped my future dealings with all buyers and sellers.  Along the way though I have also learned that buyers and sellers want a few basics before they get down to business.  These include competency, confidence and an intent statement that become a road map for the sales process to flow smoothly.

Competence on Hilton Head Island

The competency statement is a chance to provide the seller or buyer with your resume and credentials.  It needs to be factual and straight to the point.  One I have used is, “Before we get started you probably have some questions about me.  I have been a REALTOR now for over 24 years on the Island (new agents should use company credentials i.e. My company has been in real estate since 1979)and have been serving clients just like you through these years.  I love what I do and have a great assistant and company that backs me up every step of the way.   I work hard to know the current market, the opportunities it presents and am able to advise and help you achieve your goals.  OK, lets get started”  Every agent should have a competency statement prepared.  It does not have to be canned, it just needs to be conveyed in the beginning as they do not know who you are!

Confidence on Hilton Head Island

You have one shot at a good first impression.  Through the years I have learned in Real Estate that there are certain freebies for REALTORS and the first impression is an easy one.  Freebies for Realtors include being prepared, appropriate dress, clean automobiles, being on time, and a postitive attitude.  Confidence is an inside job, but some confidence builders include smile,  hang out with positive agents, attend presentations by your Board, read positive material(www.bloghiltonhead), listen to motivation tapes, and skip the headlines.

Intent in Hilton Head Island

Before an agent should ever interview for a listing or show property, they need to establish intent with their client.  An intent statement is as simple as asking a purchaser if they have their “checkbook” before showing any property.  Here is one I have used, “Today we are going to see some great properties.  If we discover a property that  matches your needs now or in the future, I am going to ask you to buy”  Is that OK with you?”  The beauty of a good intent statement is that it allows everyone to relax through the process and unites the agent with their client in a common goal.

Bottom Line

As professionals, competency and intent statements can make the difference between making a friend and also making a sale.  Good Luck and… 

Happy Selling!!!

Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers

800-932-3652

Great Listings t0 practice with  http://www.robbiebunting.com/listings.asp

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Dear Clients, Friends & Fellow Associates ~  

Jane Hyers and I have made it our big fat audacious goal to “Provide exceptional service, create raving fans & help our clients succeed” 

We knew when we made this goal that it would become our mantra and we would never be able to settle for less.  This goal is always in front of us and we can never completely achieve it without hard work and dedication.  We also recognized that the only way in which we would be able to exceed our Hilton Head sellers expectations is to first know what they are.  Therefore we created the worksheet below:

Raving Fans Worksheet

We are always pushing hard to increase our level of service for our clients.  Our constant search for knowledge of marketing and market trends pushes us to do better for our clients.  

From these efforts we are helping our clients achieve their goals and in return are recieving some fantastic testimonials from sellers and buyers that have worked with us, not just the first time, but through multiple transactions.  We are always looking for areas of improvement and are prepared to work hard to create more raving fans. 

In summary, we would love to have your suggestions and feedback.  If you would take a few minutes and fill out the worksheet attached it will help us meet and exceeed your needs.  If you should feel compelled enough to include a testimonial from working with us, we would be very appreciative.  Just fill in the last few lines and fax it back to 1-866-680-1137.  Thank you! 

All the best,

Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers

Dear Friends, Clients and Fellow Associates~

I have many clients that look to evaluate their real estate holdings every year for their estate.    Some of my clients are satisfied with a brokers opinion, others want a more formal document.  In fact, if you own property right now one very good reason to have your property appraised is to take advantage of the very low interest rates available.  Below is a recommended appraiser and all round good guy that can help you with this process.

Real Estate Appraisals on Hilton Head Island

There are many reasons for an appraisal such as: Insured Value Updates, Estates, Trusts, Dissolution Values, Tax Appeals, Listing Price Opinions, Purchase Offers, Purchases, and Mortgages.  Most identify the need for an Appraisal with a Mortgage Loan.

The past few years have been the most challenging since I began my Island Area Appraisal Career in 1988.  Many in the profession have seen an increase in requests for Listing Price Opinions.  Most Property Owners requesting a Listing Price Opinion are tired of not receiving offers, confused by a wide range in suggested listing prices, or just over exposed to our many real estate advertising outlets.  Sellers just want an opinion from someone who is independent and won’t profit by the outcome.

When I take an assignment, I explain that the outcome of the Appraisal is between the Property Owner and the Appraiser.  The Appraisal outcome is only disclosed to another party if requested by the Property Owner.  Additionally, Federal Regulations prohibit the use of the Appraisal for Lending if ordered by anyone other than the Lending Institution.  Finally, an Appraisal is time sensitive since it is based on a point in time in an ever changing market.

Hope this helps, Bruce.

Bruce A. Goff, Owner Bruce A. Goff, Inc.
PO Box 4652 / Hilton Head Island, SC 29938

SC Professional Appraisers Coalition, Board/Past Chairman

SC State Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser, CR29
Licensed SC Real Estate Broker / SC Real Estate & Appraiser Instructor
Voice: (843) 686-4444 / Cell: (843) 683-4444 / Fax: (843) 686-4858

Website: www.brucegoffhhi.com  / Email: brucegoffhhi@yahoo.com