With the holiday season approaching, many homeowners are starting to plan get-togethers with friends or family. While entertaining can be more of a challenge in a smaller home, it’s not impossible to host a memorable dinner party with your loved ones if you’re working with limited space.

Here are a few tips for throwing a large dinner party in a small area.

Before Guests Arrive, Clean and Clear Your Home

You don’t have to put as much effort into cleaning and decluttering as if you were selling a home; the basics will do.

Put away any unnecessary furniture, home décor, and kitchen appliances before the dinner party. Clean and dust the rooms that guests will visit: bathrooms, the kitchen, and the dining area. If you have pets, don’t forget to vacuum upholstery and stash toys or the litter box out of sight.

Get Creative with Guest Seating

You likely don’t keep a dozen matching chairs in storage just for dinner parties. Show off your creativity by relocating chairs, stools, benches, or ottomans currently in your home around the dinner table.

Maximize Your Table Space

Invest in a tiered platter for dinner parties. Raising the serving plates gives the appearance of more space on your counters and tables and keeps your serving stations from looking cramped.

To further free up space on your dining room table, keep the centerpiece decorations to a minimum. Instead, hang decorations from your walls or ceiling to maximize your space.

Trying to Make the Most of Your Space?

If you’re downsizing but still want to entertain friends and family in your new home, there are many ways to make the most of your space while still enjoying memorable occasions with your loved ones. As real estate experts, we can share downsizing tips and help you find a home that’s just the right size. Contact us to learn more.

Last week we sold 112 properties in the Hilton Head area. This was 1 week after Hurricane Matthew turned 40,000 trees into piles of debris.  While some think Matthew stopped all Hilton Head real estate sales activity in the area, sales were down only 25% over last year during the same week.  Here’s why….

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Hilton Head Island Homes – September 2016

Home pendings in the month of September were up across the board.  The stable inventories on Hilton Head Island are holding prices in check right now, but keep in mind it is an Island that is 97% developed.  If you are a buyer, negotiation is firming up for properly priced properties.  For the seller, their is good news as the number of months in supply(your competition) dropped in almost all sectors.

Hilton Head Island Villas – September 2016

We are seeing investors finally moving back into the Hilton Head villa market with the low prices, higher vacation rental income potential and low interest rates.  Cash flow has never been better on these villas that offer short term rental opportunity.

Hilton Head Island Lots – September 2016

Until it costs the same to buy a lot and build a home as buying an existing home, lots will continue to offer compelling prices.  Some of the lots offered around the Island offer some incredible locations at some incredible prices.  Property owners with a lot for sale next door should explore buying the adjacent land because builders are buying up these lots and building specs.

Ready to Explore the Hilton Head Market?

If you would like to start exploring Hilton Head Properties with us, please fill out the form below and pick your Hilton Head Properties agent.  They will start sending you the best buys in the area that match your needs.  Thank you.

We dodged a bullet on Hilton Hilton Head Island with Hurricane Mathew! Working together it is is amazing how much we have accomplished in such a short time.  While we are picking up and mending our homes, many of our vacation properties and resorts will welcome you back once again.  If you need an update on your property, a repair made or want to find out more about what’s happening in the Hilton Head area, please let us know.

Hilton Head Property Owners

If you need work done on your Hilton Head property, we have a long list of vetted contractors and service providers that we would be happy to share.  We are hearing outrageous quotes for tree removal and deposits being made and workers not showing up.  Our contractors are local and you can call on them now or in the future.  We can also have them check the condition of your property.  Keep in mind, even vacant lots should be checked for leaning trees.

Hilton Head Community Updates

Many of the communities on Hilton Head Island have been posting updates on their community websites.  These communities include: Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes , Shipyard, Hilton Head Plantation, Long Cove, and Port Royal.  As well, openings around the Hilton Head area include:  Golf Course Openings, Fall Specials, Parks Reopened, and Vacationers Return.  Please check our facebook page for these daily updates.

Hilton Head Properties Realty and Rentals Update

Surprising enough, we have been busy this week showing property and writing contracts on Hilton Head Properties.  The good news is that the Hurricane did not slow down our buyers. We can’t wait to show you our awesome properties this fall!  Our rental company and crew did a fabulous job securing our vacation properties before and after the storm.  They are busy again helping guests book great vacation rentals.  The fall weather is wonderful and we hope you can make time to enjoy a long weekend or upcoming holiday with us.

Halloween is just around the corner. For many homeowners, that means carving pumpkins, hanging up Halloween decorations, and stocking up on fun-sized candy. But if you’re a homeowner who is thinking about selling this fall season, you might be preparing your home for buyers instead of trick-or-treaters.

Home staging is a crucial part of home selling preparation. According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2015 Profile of Home Staging, 32% of buyers’ agents and 37% of sellers’ agents believe that a staged home increases the amount buyers are willing to pay up to 5%. On a $200,000 property, that’s $10,000!

But is your home effectively staged to sell? If you are preparing your home yourself, beware of these staging mistakes that scare away home buyers — and potentially thousands of dollars.

1. A Dark and Spooky Entryway

Your front entry is one of the first things buyers notice about your home. Peeling paint, deep shadows, and uninviting colors don’t create the best first impression. Turn your front entryway into a focal point by painting your door a bright color that complements your home.

2. Cobwebs in the Corners

At a showing, buyers are going to inspect virtually everything: light fixtures, closets, ceilings, you name it. Thoroughly clean your home from top to bottom (or hire a professional) to make it look like new. You can always ask a friend or neighbor to take an objective look at your home.

3. Startling Colors on Your Walls

The goal of home staging, besides selling your home for top dollar, is to help buyers visualize themselves living in your home. If you have bold, bright colors on your walls, switch to more neutral colors to appeal to all potential buyers.

4. Menacing Halloween Decorations

Staging your home for Halloween is fine in moderation. But remember, not all buyers will think the fake spiderwebs or rubber arms are festive. Unless the headless horseman himself is buying your home, it’s best to keep him out of your front yard.

5. Hovering Like a Ghost During Showings

How you present your home when it’s on the market goes hand-in-hand with home staging. Make your home available and make yourself scarce during showings. Potential buyers might find it creepy if the current homeowner is lurking somewhere in the shadows.

Thinking of Selling Your Home This Fall?

Selling your home doesn’t have to be scary. We have a wealth of home staging tips and home selling resources that will help you sell quickly and for top dollar. Contact us to learn more.

The Hilton Head community is stronger than any Hurricane! We were welcomed back to the Island with residents waving and a welcome home sign.  In a matter of days, our first responders made it easy for us to start picking up our lives, yards, homes and businesses.  It’s amazing the progress that has been made in the last 7 days, but what is more incredible is the community we get to call home!   Read the rest of this entry

If you have a tree or trees to remove on you Hilton Head Property, we have listed below tree companies that can help you with your cleanup.  If you are unsure who’s responsibility for the removal, click here.  We have access to other contractors, please just let us know what you may need. Read the rest of this entry

Looking into the weekend, Hilton Head Island is battening down the hatches. Although Hurricane Mathew has turned slightly east, we would rather be safe than sorry!  Our rental crew is busy today moving pool and patio furniture in for our second home owners and rental units.  Listed below are several reliable sources to keep track of storms in the Hilton Head Area: Read the rest of this entry

For many first-time home buyers, the idea of a 20% down payment is terrifying. It’s one of the biggest obstacles to homeownership. Maybe you want to own a home someday, but the thought of saving up thousands of dollars for a home purchase has deterred you from seriously considering it.

Believe it or not, it is possible to save enough money for a down payment and make your dreams of homeownership a reality. Here are just a few of the ways that you can start saving.

1. Track How Much You Spend Now

When saving for your first home, you’ll need to stick to a budget. Awareness of how much you spend can help you figure out where you can cut your costs. Consumer.gov outlines a few tips for creating a budget here.

2. Determine What You Can Afford

Even if you don’t plan to buy a home for a few years, figuring out how much you can afford for your home will make your savings goal more concrete. Don’t forget to include taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance in your monthly payment calculations.

3. Start Small

Start saving for your down payment and other homeownership costs as soon as you can. The earlier you start, the less you will have to cut your spending and the more time you’ll have to reach your goal.

4. Shop Around for Other Loans

If you find that a 20% down payment is unrealistic, you can opt for a mortgage that offers lower down payment options. FHA loans, for instance, offer 3.5% down, and VA loans offer no money down.

Make sure to do your research. If you put less than 20% down on a home, you will have to purchase private mortgage insurance. We can talk more in depth about home financing options available to you.

5. Make Your Savings Automatic

Many people find it’s easier to save money if it’s automatically transferred into a savings account every month. Check to see if your bank offers automatic funds transfer services, or ask if your employer can direct a portion of your paycheck into your savings account.

6. Create a Separate Savings Account

Establishing a savings account specifically for your down payment and homeownership costs is another great way to set aside money for a home. If you decide to automatically transfer money to savings, creating a separate account may make it even easier.

We Can Make Your First Home Buying Experience Easier

When you’ve saved up enough money and are ready to buy a home, we have all the resources you need to make your homeownership dreams a reality. Have a question about owning a home? Call us.