Recently, Keith Miller of Miller Long Term Rentals(passcode “gator”) approached us with an idea to help buyers, sellers and agents sell more homes.  He offered long term rental proformas for our residential listings! We thought this was such a great idea.  Buyers now can take advantage of great locations, incredible interest rates and get an idea of the income they can generate until they are ready to make a move!  Below are some great locations that potentially offer fantastic rental revenue! Read the rest of this entry

Had a glass of wine with a client the other night as we admired their newly purchased villa.  We talked about the 70 degree weather we were enjoying on Hilton Head and my client mentioned that they were now thinking of making the move permanent.  Keep in mind, 10 years earlier these same clients told me they would never  consider moving from their Ohio hometown.  That was their home, Hilton Head was just a fun place they loved.  It was never considered a place to live full time. Read the rest of this entry

121 Dune Lane~Hilton Head Island

 

Robbie Bunting &
Jane Hyers

Benefit List for selling or buying Hilton Head Real Estate

2009 – Revised 8/5/09

• This is our thirtieth (30^th) year and Robbie Bunting’s  25^th year with Dunes Marketing Group
• Established in 1979, DMG is one of the oldest and most respected real estate sales companies in the Hilton Head area.
• DMG has sold more than $5,000,000,000 (5 Billion) in Hilton Head properties since 1979.
• DMG has five (5) highly visible Hilton Head, and Daufuskie locations that are open seven days a week generating thousands of interested real estate buyers every year.
• One of the office locations is a unique real estate kiosk in the center of the busy Shelter Cove Mall. From the kiosk Dunes promotes its listings of properties and meets hundreds of prospective purchasers every year.
• There are more than one hundred (100) full time experienced professional Realtors associated with DMG.
• During 2008, DMG sold almost $265,000,000 in Hilton Head, Bluffton and Daufuskie. This number helped rank DMG as one of the top three performing real estate companies in Southern Beaufort County.
• State of the art interactive website www.dunesmarketing.com. It’s a complete resource for buyers, sellers and anyone who wants to learn more about the Lowcountry. On the site, find all of DMG’s listings and access to the Hilton Head Island MLS. Also featured are community videos, new developments, news, a calendar of events, and our Agent Blogs. DMG listings appear on 34 real estate websites, currently including: HiltonHeadMLS.com, Realtor.com, RELOHomeSearch.com, FrontDoor.com, Locale.com, Trulia.com, Base.Google.com, Zillow.com, Oodle.com, Homefinder.com, Vast.com, Hotpads.com, RealEstate.Yahoo.com, RealEstate.aol.com, Walmart.com classifieds, OceanHomesUSA.com, Cyberhomes.com, Military.com, Local.com, InvestorLoft.com, MyREALTY.com, eRealInvestor.com, DotHomes.com, ResortScape.com, PropBot.com, Lycos.oodle.com and OpenHouse.com.
• DMG Sales Agents regularly receive continuing education at all levels of ability.  DMG agents attend weekly, and sometimes twice weekly, sales meetings and property tours.  DMG agents are better trained and more knowledgeable than most other Hilton Head area Realtors.
• DMG was awarded the Company of the Year for 2008 by the Association of Realtors.
• DMG is a member of the Hilton Head Island MLS Service, which has more than fourteen hundred (1,400) Realtors.
• Over the past three years, more than sixty (60) percent of all the properties sold by DMG were also listed with DMG.  We focus on our listings first and foremost.
• DMG advertises regularly and extensively in virtually every major real estate publication in the Hilton Head area, as well as the Island television station, WHHI-TV.
• DMG sponsors special Island events throughout the year to attract potential customers and support community activities.  One example would be the weekly fireworks during the summer in Shelter Cove Harbour.  Attendance has often been estimated to exceed 15,000 visitors.  DMG has an office open in the harbour and real estate information booths at these events.
• DMG is a regular sponsor of Hilton Head charities, children’s activities, The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina and community events.
• DMG has more than 50,000 prospective purchasers in company data banks.
• Approximately 30,000 pieces of direct mail for buyers and sellers are mailed every month by DMG.
• DMG sponsors “mini-vacation” opportunities for prospective purchasers to visit and look at real estate.  These mini-vacations offer reduced cost on accommodations, golf, and tennis for our customers visiting again for a “second look”.
• DMG publishes four issues annually of Palmetto Previews, a seasonal guide to Palmetto Dunes and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The publication is mailed to about 10,000 property owners and prospective purchasers. In addition, 20,000 copies are available in more than thirty locations throughout the area as “take one” and placed in the guest rooms at hotels and rental villas.
• DMG is the number one sales company on Hilton Head Island for the sale of new developer properties in 2008!
• DMG was the number one sales company for villas in Southern Beaufort County for 2008!
• DMG was the number one sales company in Palmetto Dunes in 2008!
• DMG was the number one sales company in Moss Creek in 2008!
• DMG was the number one sales company in Palmetto Hall in 2008!DMG is a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (RELO), the largest relocation company in the world with 650 member firms, 4,700 offices and 120,000 associates in 20 countries doing more than 40 billion in sales annually.

Robbie Bunting has been the top agent with Dunes Marketing Group for the last two years and many of the past years.  We can help you get the job done.

Call or email us anytime at 800-932-3652 or robbie@robbiebunting.com . Thank you.

Ideas to Get Your Property SOLD in 2009

Marketing Ideas for Sellers in Challenging Markets  

1. Since buyers have multiple choices in this market, the condition of the property is critical to the sales process.  The property must be near perfect to receive offers.  The homes that sell first are priced right and are in great condition.  (We are at an all time high in listing inventory on Hilton Head; the buyers can simply pick and choose and select the best property and value for them with little pressure to purchase.)
2. In order to receive offers, we must be #1 in position within your neighborhood in terms of price, condition, and location.  If we are not #1 in all three categories, we must be #1 on price.
3. The property must be easy to show and convenient to all Buyers and Agents.
4. Creativity Counts!  Consider giving buyer concessions to trigger an offer.  These concessions could be anything from paying down interest rates, making 6 months of payments for the buyer in advance, paying down the buyer’s credit cards and /or repainting or re-carpeting the property.
5. Consider writing an offer to the buyer to see if they will consider purchasing the property.  This has been successful for a number of agents across the U.S.
6. Determine your net, net, net bottom line and let’s work towards getting the price in line with that position.
7. Consider getting a conventional appraisal on the property to support the price and value we have established for your home and adjust if necessary.  The appraisal will help to support your value and price when the buyer applies for their mortgage.  However, please note the buyer’s mortgage company will not use this appraisal and will order their own independent appraisal. 
8. Consider accepting the first offer.  Many times the first offer is the best offer.  Also in this market, the first offer might be the only offer.
9. Consider offering a 4 or 5 % commission to the selling agent so the property is more appealing to the other agents.  This will provide the agent with additional incentive to show your property.  Therefore, they will be more likely to show your property versus the competition.
10. Understand the market has changed and we must work together to get showings and offers.  Review your motivation to sell so we can get the best offer the market will bear.

Dear Clients, Friends and Fellow Associates,
                                                                                                                         

The Real Estate Market right now on Hilton Head Island is a lot  like an auction.  The other day I went to an auction and watched most of  the prequalified bidders waiting for a sign or signal before making their move.  While these “bidders” twisted in their seats, a few market brave buyers made their bids, but only one very quiet bidder sitting in a corner ultimately got the property.  In my opinion, that buyer made money that day and is smiling all the way to the bank.

It is time to be greedy and quiet! Warren Buffet best said “Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful”.  Right now we have a lot of “lookers” on the internet, some are coming down to preview our properties, a few are making bids, and only one will be the winner.  These brave buyers are being rewarded with superior properties at great values.  Please note that the turn is now happening slowly and quietly.  In fact, just last month we sold 119 homes and villas on Hilton Head Island and in the last week we sold 4  oceanfront homes!

Don’t wait for a sign or signal that it is time to jump in.  My company is set up to help you research and review the opportunities(quietly) while the masses are still sitting on the sidelines. Jane and I work very hard researching, investigating and preparing tours with only the very best properties.  In fact, with our network we often know about great deals before they are ever listed for sale. 

Here are just some incredible values:

• A oceanfront villa in Palmetto Dunes for $489,000
• A short sale 3 bedroom rental property for $599,0000
• A incredible waterfront home built in 2007 for $929,000
• A brand new(never lived in)oceanfront home for $4,899,000
• A lot with intracoastal and sunset views for $99,0000
• Some of the best properties we ever offered for sale!

All of these unbelievable properties include:

• Condition, Location, & Price.  In fact, right now you can get all three, but all bets are off in 2010!
• Cherry Picking.  Some of the very best locations are coming up for sale and are selling very quickly.  You have to be in the know to get them.
• Creativity.  Flexible terms and even trades are even being considered for properties saving all kinds of dough!
• Deltas.  In normal markets the cost to sell one property and buy another is greater than the delta now!  +++CLICK HERE for more details.

A wise friend once said “If you don’t plan the hunt you are just walking in the woods”  Please don’t hesitate in getting started in your search.  Call us at 800-932-3652 or email robbie@robbiebunting.com so we can start sending you some ideas.  We would also like to suggest a “research” visit to Hilton Head Island this fall.  The subtropical temperatures, wonderful restaurants, shopping and beaches are very enjoyable at this time of year.  We have arranged a special program including accomodations at one of the finest resorts this fall.  Please +++CLICK HERE for our Mini Vacation for Fall 2009!
 
Subtropical Regards~
  
Robbie Bunting & Jane
 
P.S. Our mini vacation is available for clients, relatives and friends.  We would appreciate if you would forward this as many times as you can!   Although it depends on your readiness, timing has never been better and you and your friends will be rewarded!  Thank you.

Dream BIGGER!

It is my belief that we will all look back on this year and say that 2009 was the best year to buy real estate.  With housing affordability reaching record levels and pending home sales rising in the southeast by 8 ½ percent the time to buy property has never been so rewarding.

Does it get any better?  We think so.  We recently completed a few transactions for our clients that were amazing.  Although they had hoped to sell for more, they were realistic and realized the purchase of their dream saving over $150,000! 

They sold their home for less than they hoped for:                       
   $525,000.00 Purchase price                                           

+$100,000.00 in improvements

  $625,000.00 Basis                                                            

  $565,000.00 Selling Price           

  $  60,000.00 less than the HOPED for BUT…               

They Purchased their Dream Property  for:

  $899,000.00 Replacement Property                            

 -$699,000.00 Purchase Price                                          

  $200,000.00 SAVINGS                                                    

-$  60,000.00 From above cost to sell     

  $ 140,000.00 Total Savings                                       

Moving up is taking place all over the Island as one couple sells their present property to buy a foreclosure or a market bargain.   You have this present opportunity in your favor and we would love to show you how you can save money in this market.  By the way, given the historic low interest rates, payments are lower than ever before. 

Are you interested in seeing if this can work for you?  Give us a call or shoot us an email.  We know what you are looking for and have some real estate deals and steals that you will absolutely love.  Who says you cannot have your cake and eat it too!

Thank you,

 
Robbie Bunting

Sign up for the Foreclosure Bus Tour Today!

With HiltonHeadForeclosureBus.com you will see and learn all about the foreclosed properties and short sales on Hilton Head Island and Bluffton.   Our licensed agents will show you the very best properties offered and provide a list of every foreclosures and short sale available in the area. 

On hiltonheadforeclosurebus.com you can sign up for a bus ticket to view foreclosures that are currently for sale in the Hilton Head Island Area. Simply click here  and sign in under “schedule a viewing” and we will email a confirmation for your tour and send you a bus ticket via email.   

These tours* will take you into gated communities and into the homes and villas that are offered as a foreclosure or short sale.   We schedule private tours throughout the week and weekends. 

Please choose the tour number you would be interested in seeing…
Tour 1 ~ Under $400,000
Tour 2 ~ $400,000-$700,000
Tour 3 ~ $700,000-$1,000,000
Tour 4 ~ Over 1 million

Visit hiltonheadforeclosurebus.com and sign up for your bus tour today!

See you on the bus!

Robbie Bunting &
Jane Hyers

P.S.  Please sign up in advance, space is limited.   A complete list of all area foreclosures and short sales will be passed out to attendees