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.

Beaufort County officials mull ways to fix school funding issues | Bluffton Today.

State income tax: 3%-7%

State sales tax: 6%

Gas taxes and fees: $0.17 cents per gallon

The Palmetto State’s top income tax rate of 7% kicks in once taxable income exceeds $14,400.

Groceries and some cold prepared foods, prescription drugs, dental prosthetics and hearing aids are exempt from state sales taxes. Localities can add up to 3% in sales taxes.                                               (Jamie Sanford via Creative Commons/Flickr)

But the state’s gas tax is well below the national average at 17 cents per gallon.

In addition to the state sales tax, South Carolina levies an annual tax on vehicles. Rates are set by counties. The average annual tax for a vehicle valued at $10,000 is $268.

Property taxes are among the lowest in the U.S. The median property tax on the state’s median home value of $137,500 is $689, according to the Tax Foundation.

Click here for the 10 Most Tax-Friendly States in the U.S.-Kiplinger.

Even if you did not appeal your taxes last year by December 15, 2013, there is still an opportunity to file an appeal this October and before January 15, 2015.   If successful in your appeal, you could enjoy savings for the next four years(rather than five) as our county assesses properties every five years. Read the rest of this entry

We have put together a chart of the Hilton Head Area communities, their POA fees(association costs), whether membership is required or optional, their location and what their transfer fees are(if any).  We will be updating this on a regular basis.  Please let us know if you have any questions or updated information.

We have done our best to verify these fees and charges, but they are subject to verification by all parties. The communities and golf courses listed here have been hyperlinked to their official website. This will make it easier to review these communities from your community. If you are planning to visit the area, please note that many of the properties in the Hilton Head Area are located in private communities behind security gates and can only be accessed with a Realtor.  If you find a great Hilton Head Property, please contact one of our agents or your Realtor to make arrangements today.

Update March 14, 2014…the Senate approved the bill February 13, 2014. We have come across a few articles, some helpful links and insurance people that we have listed below if you have any questions.  Please feel free to forward this information or contact them directly.  Thank you.

Read the rest of this entry

The real estate market moves based on supply and demand.  If you understand this, you will never have a problem buying or selling real estate. Read the rest of this entry

Up to 75% lot loan financing for the Hilton Head Area.  With 25% down payment, rates vary based on credit scores, but with a credit score as an example at 787 the rate would be 3.750% with .250% point.  Amortization is 10 years and balloons in 5 years.  For more information please contact: Joan Sherwood

Yadkin Bank
Mortgage Banker
NMLS-659256
1040 William Hilton Parkway
Suite 104
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
.
o: (843) 785-2880
f: (843) 410-4550
m: (843) 384-1385
.

When you are considering a move to Bluffton, Daufuskie Island, Hilton Head Island North and Hilton Head Island South there are a lot of factors to consider.  Each Hilton Head area offers different things to different buyers including community information, amenities and price points that we have listed here.  Demographics for the Hilton Head area can be researched at US Census Bureau’s Community Fact Finder, NeighborhoodScout.com and HomeFair.com.  Yelp is a great website for restaurant ideas and some of our best shops.  Another fun way to look at any community is to find out the walk score.  Check out Hilton Head Properties walk score here.

The Senate plans to vote on legislation that would create a 4-year “time out” for both impacted home buyers and future increases on “grandfathered” properties. The Senate Majority Leader has promised the sponsors a vote on S. 1846 Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act which would delay any increases for 4 years; they are currently negotiating the number of amendments and amount of debate time.  The bill is expected to come up the week of January 27 if not sooner, and will require 60 votes to move forward.  NAR issued a call for action and is urging every senator to vote yes.