Here is the latest on our property taxes from my friend and accountant Bob Arundell.  If you wish to contact him or ask him a question, Bob can be reached at (843)785-8040 or his email is bob@mhalawfirm.com

Robbie:

A lot of people came away from a recent article about an adjustment to the School District’s tax mill rate with the idea that their tax bill, when compared to last year’s tax bill, was going up.  THAT IS NOT CORRECT.

The complexity and nuances of public education funding makes it real easy for the average person to arrive at an erroneous conclusion.

I did a presentation to the Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee and used a hand-out that I thought you might find useful.  It explains what really happened and why, on average, your taxes did not go up. Click on the underlined link to read more: BCSD – Tale of Two Taxes

Call me if you have any questions.

Bob Arundell

(843)785-8040

Dear Friends, Clients and Fellow Associates

If you are thinking of moving to Hilton Head sometime in the distant future, it makes sense right now to take advantage of the selection of properties, the low interest rates and rent it until you make your big move.  I have many friends that bought their property before they made the move and rented it.  Some have rented for over 10 years before making this move.

If you are interested in exploring this program with us, let us know and we will set you up on a Free Research Link for homes, villas and lots on or off the Island.  This is the hottest new program and you will love the ability to reseach these properties from your home or office staying anonymous until you are ready.   As well, right now we have demand for rental homes(see below).  Email us at robbie@robbiebunting.com to get your Free Research program set up. 

The market is moving…are you!

All the best,

Robbie Bunting &
Jane Hyers

A Message from Keith Miller, Owner of Miller Long Term Rentals

If you have a buyer that is interested in buying a house to take advantage of the lower prices and interest rates, but they are not ready to move at this time, they should consider buying and placing their purchase on the long term rental market. The inventory of  available homes under $2,000 is very low. Meaning a rental ready home priced under $2,000 has a good chance of renting well.   Let me know if you have any further questions.

Keith A. Miller, PMIC
Miller Long Term Rentals Inc.
4 Dunmore Court, Bldg A, Suite 102
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926

Dear Clients, Friends and Fellow Associates~

We asked Cary Griffin of McNair Law Firm to give us a better understanding of closing costs as a buyer, seller or fellow associate.  Cary also put together a reference guide for the costs associated with each community.  Please keep in mind that the transfer fees can be negotiated by the buyer, the seller or split equally.  The closing costs in the links below are all based on a $100,000 average.  If you have a more expensive property, you can  remove the constants and use a multiplier to determine an approximation to your closing costs.  Here is a quick summary:

Click below for Closing Cost Estimates for each:

• Home Closing Costs on Hilton Head
• Villa Closing Costs on Hilton Head
• Lot Closing Costs on Hilton Head Island

*Please note loan fees and prepaid items will add additional closing costs.       

If you have any questions as you review these closing documents, please feel free to contact Cary Griffin at CGriffin@MCNAIR.NET .  Cary has also provided a handy list of transfer fees and plantation dues below.  Simply click on the underlined link for a readable (and printable) list of these fees:

Plantation annual costs and transfer fees:

                                       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

We will send to you a free e-mail or letter that includes:

• A Brokers Property Opinion of the Current Market Value of your property on our letterhead.
• Current market trends to watch for as a property owner on the Island.
• Helpful hints to help you maximize your real estate experience.
• These will be sent out within a week of submittal either email or by US Postal Service.

Contact us at islandrealtor@hargray.com or call us on at 1-800-932-3652 to receive this information.   Please let us know if you would like this emailed or mailed.

Happy Fall!

Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers

P.S.  This free market opinion is a service that we do annually for many of our clients as they update their portfolios.

Dear Friends, Clients and Fellow Associates~

Buyers in the recent past have been a lot like my hound dog.  Every once in awhile you get their attention, but if a butterfly floats by or a poor day on the stock market takes place, the buyer and the hound head off in a different direction.  I started thinking about this the other morning when I was out walking my hound dog Sheeba.  As she poked around looking for scent, I called her several times and finally got her attention.  As she started heading in my direction, something distracted her and off she went back on her original course. 

My buyers were a bit distracted too.  Given the news in the economy in the past year, many buyers simply could not focus on anything including real estate. Every day  now it seems that there are fewer distractions.  In fact,  our Island’s real estate inventory went down last month for the first time in over a year.  With this supply decrease sustained we will start seeing a turn take place because real estate is governed by the simple law of Supply and Demand!

Inventory drops 4.5% on Hilton Head Island!

One thing that is always true, Sheeba comes running for food.  That said, when buyers start feeling and seeing this stability in the market place, they will all come running at once, too.   The problem with this is that we are an Island with a very limited and finite number of properties. 

I will keep calling you!  I call this “caring persistence”.  My advise though if you want your piece of paradise now is to not wait for my call!  My number is 800-932-3652 and my email is robbie@robbiebunting.com.  I look forward to talking soon.  Thank you.

Happy Hilton Head~

Robbie Bunting &
Jane Hyers

P.S.  ~ As this market continues to improve properties on Hilton Head Island will disappear and be replaced with less negotiable and higher priced properties!

121 Dune Lane~Hilton Head Island

 

Robbie Bunting &
Jane Hyers