Dear Clients, Friends and Fellow Associates~

We have been tracking the market for two years now by compiling a Monthly Market Trend Report like the one below for May 2010.  This report is exactly what its name implies; it’s an “at a glance” report of current Home, Villa and lot trends for Hilton Head Island.  Read the rest of this entry

Our listings are red hot on Hilton Head Island

Our sellers are averaging 218 tours per week on their Hilton Head Properties.  With this average it is easy to see our marketing programs are working.  The world wide web is effective with a proactive marketing program and your Hilton Head Realtor has you covered!   Read the rest of this entry

The bottom is here or can be negotiated! Buyers should beware if bottom is hit too hard it can hurt.  There are certain rules a buyer may want to follow when they buy real estate on Hilton Head Island today.  Of course, we can help you negotiate a smooth landing in this new market.  We have listed the top 10 Ten buyer rules that can make a buyers life a little more comfortable below: Read the rest of this entry

Update your villa’s kitchen and baths!

If you own a villa or are looking at a villa that is in dire need of remodeling, we have asked our remodeler to provide a one stop shopping experience for your kitchen and bath!  He has done some pricing and found terrific deals that offer the opportunity to transform your villa.  If you are listed for sale or thinking of selling, or just want to enjoy your villa, this is a great time to remodel!  As an agent, this is great information  to know when you are selling a villa that needs updating! Read the rest of this entry

By Todd Brooks

Indications show that the 2010 rental season will be better than the 2009!

The landscape of the vacation rental industry has changed over the last several years.  The trend has been to book vacation plans closer to arrival date.  The vast amount of information available on the Internet has enabled the potential guest to check availability and have numerous selections to choose from, eliminating the “sense of urgency” that we experienced in the prior years.  As the economy weakened, the mindset of the traveler was to hang on to their money as long as possible. Read the rest of this entry

Why would you not want to be on every website in the World?

Because over 87% of all real estate purchases start on line, we post your Hilton Head Property on practically every website we can.  Having many different websites for your property is like having several billboards around the world.  You simply do not know how the buyer is going to search or find us, but we know that we have the web covered.  Below are the bigger websites we have listed our properties for sale on.  Read the rest of this entry

REALTOR� Magazine-Daily News-Shadow Inventory Unlikely to Hurt Market.

What to do about Wind and Hail Insurance?

As the weather turns toward spring, we find a lot of conversation from homeowners concerning Wind and Hail insurance coverage.  Some homeowners policies are written with the wind/hail coverage included within the policy or more often for properties on the Island the wind coverage is written as a separate policy issued by the South Carolina Wind Hail Underwriting Association (SCWHUA or Wind Pool).

SCWHUA is not inferior coverage.

Back in the 1970’s, the South Carolina Legislature essentially ordered the formation of the SCWUA when it required the insurance industry to make available wind and hail insurance to homes and businesses located along the beach areas.  This residual market was necessary because the coverage was not available or affordable for many properties close to the coastline.  The Wind Pool has served a great benefit to many who live in the beach region.   All property and casualty insurance companies conducting business in the State are required to participate in funding the program and share in any losses or profits.

Want to save some money on you wind and hail insurance? 

Consider raising the deductible! The wind coverage contains a deductible clause that is based on a percentage of the amount of insurance.  Options include 3%, 4%, 5% and 10%.  The premium savings are substantial and you have the benefit of a lower deductible should a loss occur from a non-named storm.  In other words, covered losses not arising out of a named storm carry only a 1% deductible of the limit on the policy, not the higher deductible listed for a named hurricane or tropical storm.   

One final thought from our Insurance Expert. 

Remember if you want replacement cost coverage for your home from the SCWHUA, you must have flood insurance in force at the time of loss.

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

Interested in a free Medical and Fire Alarm on Hilton Head?

A note from Mark Zoran:

As a Fire Fighter I see many issues daily the could be prevented or lessened, only if measures had been in place to monitor a person or dwelling.

Why? First many people today NEED these items,  but they create a financial burden. Not only to the user but also their family. Some people may not need a medical alarm but have always wanted a monitored Smoke Alarm to speak for them when they can’t or are not home. 

I believe that Fire Damage and Injury can be costly, preventing it shouldn’t be.  So, with that said the alarm is FREE. What’s included? The base unit (about the size of an answering machine), an emergency button (worn as a pendant, wrist band, or a belt clip), and if requested, a Smoke Detector. Because of the nature of this setup, renters have an advantage. The system is wireless and does not require any permanent installation. So if you happen to move you can bring the alarm with you!

There is a monitoring fee that works out to about $0.83 a day or 24.99 monthly. (Many other companies charge between $35 and $50 monthly) This fee is Tax deductible as a medical expense and if the smoke detector is opted for, it may reduce Home Owners Insurance up to 26% in some cases (Please contact your Insurance Agent for details).

Obviously not everyone needs a Medical Alert System for their home, that is why we are offering the monitored smoke detector FREE as well. Many people have wanted a monitored smoke detector but were unable to justify the high initial costs incurred. Now people won’t have the worries of an initial investment.

This system may not apply to you. But how about your family, parents or friends. As we can ship these units anywhere, they don’t have to live in Beaufort County. It is my goal to supply all who want and need these alarms are allowed to have access to them. You can’t put a price on life safety. So I won’t.

Thank You
 
Mark Zoran
Owner / Operator
www.ImperialSecurityandWiring.com

888.479.3678 or 888.479.2329 

 Imperial Security & Wiring
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