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Dear Clients, Friends & Fellow Associates ~

If you live in Beaufort County, you probably have some questions regarding the Beaufort County Reassessment 2009.  I asked a Cerified Residential Appraiser to address my questions and she would be happy to address yours.  Of course, she can also help you appeal your taxes if you are interested.  Please read on:

A note from Marsha Rabun:

By now, all Beaufort County property owners should have received a property reassessment in the mail. The SC state legislature has mandated a reassessment every 5 years. The last assessment was dated December 31, 2002 so the current assessment date is December 31, 2007. This is necessary to compare all properties in the County at a single point in time.

For a home that has not transferred title, the assessed value of each property in Beaufort County is capped to a 15% increase by a state law passed in 2006. It is capped at the 15% increase, if it does not transfer title, for the next 5 years, if no physical changes are made to the property.  For instance, if your assessed value in the last assessment was $300,000, the current capped value could not be higher than $300,000 + 15% of $300,000($45,000) or $345,000.

Also due to the state law passed in 2006, if your home HAS transferred title by sale, to/from a trust, or by will since January 1, 2007, there is a Point of Sale reassessment(AKA Assessable Transfer of Interest) which MAY be greater that the 15% capped assessment on the property had it not transferred. If it transferred in 2008, its value  will be “trended back” to the December 31, 2007 date based on comparable properties-like properties in a similar location selling at that time. 2009 sales have not been considered at this time. 
            
As a homeowner on Hilton Head Island, you may not be satisfied with your assessed value and may think it needs to be appealed.  There are few important points to remember and consider:

1.  The date of the taxable value placed on your property is December 31, 2007 and that date cannot be changed, although the market value may have declined.  Sales from 2007 and as late as very early 2008 may be considered as comparables, not sales later in 2008 and 2009. Think about what your property was worth in December 2007, not today. 
2. If you feel your property is assessed incorrectly due to significant discrepancies in physical data, -factual errors-in overstating living area  and features, this may be grounds for an appeal. However, if these errors that have been made are in your favor, an appeal may bring them to light and you may end up with a higher but at least more correct assessment. If you have questions about the physical characteristics of your property, you may go to www.bcgov.net, and under Departments, go to Assessor’s and go to Property Max and enter your last name or tax account number to find living area and other features considered.    
3. Most market values should be within a reasonable range of market value as of December 31, 2007. Remember it is the “Taxable Value” that is important. Assessor’s office personnel are available for questions at 843-470-2522(Beaufort, 843-757-1500X 226(Bluffton), 843-341-8411(Hilton Head Island).
4. If you would like to appeal your taxable value, you have 90 days from the date of the notice from the Assessor’s office to file the appeal.  You can file the appeal yourself, or have an “Authorized” person file an appeal for you. Only certain people may be “Authorized” including Attorneys, CPA’s, Corporate Officers, Full Time Employees, Partners , Fiduciaries, IRS Agents, and SC Licensed Certified Appraisers. There are several good appraisers in the area who could act as your authorized representative since they would also be able to do an appraisal of your property as of December 31, 2007 which would be helpful in proving your case. Real estate agents and brokers cannot be authorized to act on your behalf unless they also fall into one of the other categories. Proof of eligibility and written consent from the owner/taxpayer must be provided to the Assessor. 

I hope this information has been informative. Please let me know if I or any of my colleagues may assist you in appealing your new taxable value.

Cordially,
Marsha W. Rabun
SC Certified Residential Appraiser #2691
Rabun Associates LLC
P.O Box 23674
Hilton Head Island, SC 29925
Office Phone-(843)686-3344
Cell Phone – (843)384-3214
Email – marsha911@hargray.com

Dear Clients, Friends & Fellow Associates ~  

Regarding your recent Beaufort County Assessment notice.  Please note the market values are as of 12/31/07.  If you are considering an appeal it is suggested that sales used to defend the appeal be within six months before this date.  The assessors will acknowledge any sale that was pended before this date. 

We would be happy to provide additional information to help demonstrate value.  Please give Jane Hyers a call at 800-932-3652 and she can provide the information you need or refer you to one of our tax appraisal friends.

Thank you,

Robbie Bunting

Dear Clients, Friends & Fellow Associates ~  

Do you plan on moving?  As a member of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® our network consists of over 600 premier real estate firms with 5,000 offices and 150,000 sales associates in 35 countries around the world, Jane and I can now help you.  We have access to agents and movers throughout the world. 

These agents are the best of the best.  Collectively, this group has sold over 1 million homes worth $300 billion in 2008, more than any national real estate brand. LeadingRE dominates the United States’ list of top 500 real estate firms, with more of the Number One market leaders in the top 90 markets than any national brand.  In fact, they introduce new purchasers all the time to our area and provide two great services listed below:

Do you need a mover in Cincinnati, New Jersey or Hilton Head?

If you need a moving company to move to Hilton Head Island or any where else, we have a connection.  We recently had a client that was moving from Hilton Head Island to the north for some strange reason.  He had shopped for a moving company and had some quotes, but he asked if we could do better for him.  We did some research and came up with a company which is dedicated to a custom-designed relocation service to meet your needs.  They shop the price and will get you the best company.  Their knowledge and customer focus for our relocating family was exceptional.  Needless to say they got the job.

Relo Move Management

Visit here for a moving checklist

Need a Realtor in Cincinnati, Hilton Head Island or anywhere else?

We have a friend that can help you.  Member firms are highly regarded community leaders, and they include many of the most-established companies in the country, including the United States’ oldest residential firm, Baird & Warner in Chicago. A high percentage of these member companies have been in business for over 25 years.  Membership also has the best and brightest new-age companies that are climbing to Number One or Two market positions in just a few years based on innovation, consumer focus, and a passion for re-inventing real estate.  If you would like to meet one of my friends in the business let us know.

Visit here for a Request form

We of course look forward to helping you make the move into our area, however no matter where you are going we have been very impressed with the services of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®.  They provide us referrals all the time of new clients moving to Hilton Head Island and we have found them invaluable for our clients that have a house to sell before they relocate here. 

Enjoy the MOVE!

Respectfully,
Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers

P.S.  Please fax the above forms to 1-866-680-1137 to get started.  Thank you.

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