Multiple offers on Hilton Head Island.

If you are a Hilton Head buyer or seller you need to know that we just sold a villa over asking price and had 3 offers on a home listing.  In fact we had 3 cash offers over asking price on one of these properties.  By the way, this property was not a short sale or foreclosure and was priced over a quarter of a million dollars.  It was far from an easy layup.  In fact, for the first 3 days after adjusting the price and before our second marketing blitz started…nothing happened on this Hilton Head property. Read the rest of this entry

If the market is not coming to you, you must go to the market!

Today, the Hilton Head real estate market is determined by home buyers.  If a property is getting little to no activity and has not yet had an offer, it can be assumed that the property is out  of  market.  Agents that have these properties listed will start tweaking their marketing programs and increasing their efforts often to no avail.  It is up to the seller to fix this by adjusting the value  and this nursery rhyme gives you the reason!

Read the rest of this entry

The Best Hilton Head Properties

Hilton Head’s Best of the Best:

• Click here for the best 2-5th row home in all of Palmetto Dunes
• Click here for the best Leamington Home(villa trades OK)
• Click here Yemessee Hunt Club w/lodge & guest house
• Click here for the best new(er) home in Palmetto Hall
• Click here for the best Private Dock Home for Sale

Special Situations:

Read the rest of this entry

Staging or furnishing deadlines!

The days of no interest, no payments will soon be gone at Rooms to Go.  If you want either Vacant Home Staging or just some additional pieces of furniture and not make a payment on until 2012 please let Kalyani know ASAP. The last day to be able to order is 2/15/10! I’d need to have everything ready to be ordered by then.
 
Kalyani Persons
Home Staging In Paradise
www.HomeStagingInParadise.com
Kalyani@HomeStagingInParadise.com
843/815-4412

Are you making a move on Hilton Head Island?

Deadlines are rapidly approaching for Tax Credits for first time home buyers and home sellers considering moving up.  The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009’s tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified move-up home buyers ends April 30, 2010. You can purchase by June 30, 2010 but must have a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010.  The first time buyers tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence also ends April 30, 2010. A purchase completed by June 30, 2010 (with a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010) may qualify.

Historically low interest rates, historically low housing prices in most areas and great values in the move up home market make this the perfect time to act. Call me for a free consultation to run the numbers for you. Don’t miss out on the great values!

Looking for an FHA loan on Hilton Head?

There is a strong indication that loans handled by FHA Mortgages, will be changing in the near future. These FHA backed mortgage programs are going to be adjusted or even overhauled.  These changes, depending what the changes are, will most likely influence the real estate market as a whole. 

During the real estate boom the use of FHA mortgages dropped to around 2% of the loans.  That figure has shot up to 25% and even higher in some markets.  Any substantial changes to FHA lending requirements could affect in some cases, the most active segment in many real estate markets. 

Congress is pressing on FHA to tighten the standards toward borrowers.  The options on what they will do to tighten these standards are broad and could include increasing FICO scores, require more amount of the down payment and reducing Seller contributions to closing costs

All these have been expressed and are being explored and if you are a buyer that needs an FHA loan, the time to act is now!  Don’t take a chance on time…email us today at robbie@robbiebunting.com or call us toll free at m1-800-932-3652 to get your foot in the door now!

Are you satisfied with your rental income on Hilton Head?

Rental companies typically rent a property on Hilton Head 12 weeks in the summer, 6 weeks in the spring and 6 weeks in the fall.  The typical owner than occupies their rental property an additional 4 weeks.  Under this scenario, you can double your rental income with a minimal amount of work.

Increase your rentals on Hilton Head with your rental company!

Some rental companies allow the owner to rent direct and collect the income, others will let owners rent, but will only reduce the commission.  The best scenario is to find a rental company (or negotiate with your current rental company) to allow you to rent your property direct filling in those empty weeks.   The perfect rental company will allow you to rent your own property and they will handle the keys, the passes for your rental, any emergencies and will charge you a reasonable fee for the checkin and cleanup.

Market your Hilton Head Rental Property on the Web!

To get started all you need are some photos of your property, a photo blog and an internet rental company.  You can either do this yourself or call on us  or your realtor!

Steps to take to increase your rentals on Hilton Head Island:

1. Set up a “free” posterous blog for your property.  Use this as your main page for your rental property.  Posterous is a free blog that allows you to post photos and information about your rental property.  Just pick a great name and go.  It also uploads to your Facebook, Linkin and your website very easily. 
2. Set up a VRBO rental website.  The website will walk you through the process for setup.  The fee for this setup is $249 per year and will pay for itself with the first rental.  Be sure to set up your rental calendar with a link through your posterous blog.
3. There are also free rental websites that can add additional income to your bottom line including www.craigslist.com, www.base.google.com, and www.free-rentals.com

A system that works for your Hilton Head Rental Property.

Once you have the rental websites in place and you have updated your rental calendar by checking in with your rental company, it is time to get ready for business.  The initial contacts will send you an email and reply time is crucial.  Assign this task to someone that is on their computer throughout the day. 

How an inquiry will rent your property on Hilton Head:

1. The first email will inquire about availability, location to the beach, pool location and other specific requirements the rental guest may have.  Prior to recieving this email, set up a draft e-mail that includes a few additional photos of your property, beach and pool information.   Simply check availability before responding.
2. The second email will ask you how much you charge and will you take less?  Set your rental at the same rate as the rental company as it makes it far less confusing.  We suggest paying for cleaning and taxes from the total, giving the renter approximately a 10% savings which you can  explain in your email as most renters pay these in addition to the rental fee. 
3. The third and final email, ask for the order!  Your final email let’s them know that if they are interested you would put it on hold and send out the rental agreement.  (Ask for 50% with the reservation and the remaining 50% approximately 30 days prior to their arrival.)Once you have a rental guest that has made the commitment, simply call your rental company and block that time(be sure to change your rental calendar to reflect this.)  Send out the rental agreement with two postage paid envelopes for the deposit, the 30 day final payment and the agreement.  This is a good time to include directions maps.google.com to the rental company and your property. 

Renting your Hilton Head Island property is that easy!

As you rent your property we have found that their are some excellent websites that can help you or your rental guests including: Trip Cancellation Insurance, pet traveling ideas, a great place to find linens and towels, and a good traveling with kids website.  Some other ideas include calling or emailing your rental guests after their visit asking if they had any suggestions.  As well, pet friendly properties are gaining appeal and you can even charge pet fees! 

We are at your service on Hilton Head Island! 

As you work through the steps above, we are here to help.  We offer a service that is available to help you set these up for a nominal fee if you are interested!   E-mail us at islandrealtor@hargray.com or call us at 800-932-3652 as we will help you get these programs up and running before the rental season of 2010. 

Happy renting!

Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers

800-932-3652

Our real estate market is changing on Hilton Head Island!

Contrary to popular belief, properties are selling everyday on Hilton Head Island in this changing real estate market.  Do not assume the real estate market on Hilton Head Island is not active!  We are selling on average 3 Island properties per day!

Read the rest of this entry

Dear Clients, Friends & Fellow Associates ~

This week we met several Islanders that offer great services on the Island.  Of course if you are looking for great properties please visit www.robbiebunting.com.  Please feel free to contact the following direct or email us if you have any suggestions.

Montgomery Law Firm 

Hunter Montgomery has helped my wife and I with several of our purchases through the years and started his own practice.  He is a very personable guy and a great real estate attorney.  Attorney fees that Hunter charges are $475 for purchasers and $400.00 for sellers and refinances.  Contact Hunter Montgomery located at 200 Main Street, Suite 201-J by calling (843) 301-5267 / (843) 681-5583 (fax)  or email wahm@mindspring.com

Ocean Tides Spa

Sandy Norris at the Ocean Tides Spa is highly recommended.  With a special $75 treatment which can include A Calming Currents Massage, The Tides Stone Massage, or The Dive Deep into the Tissue Massage.  Call Sandy Norris at (843)341-8056 and make an appointment with her.  You will love heading  down to the Oceanfront Hilton in Palmetto Dunes and can even pretend you are on vacation for awhile before and after your massage.  The Hilton has a great beach, wonderful wine bar and a calming presence.  Enjoy.

ForeShore, Property Management and Marketing

If you are thinking of Rental by Owner Services for your Hilton Head Property, contact Brian Tierney (a local)and he will send a welcome package or meet you at your property(or the property you are considering).  His fee is 22% for marketing and cleaning which is very competitive and he starts at 15% if he only promotes the property.  He will get you up and running on VRBO and other internet websites and does a great job.  Brian Tierney can be reached at 843.564.5538 or on his cell at 843.304.9192.  Email him at brian@foreshorerentals.com

Gentle Spray

Ted Brammer did a great job powerwashing my home.  In fact, I now do this every year.  The benefits include looking new again, getting the north side mildew off the home and cleaning up my service yards and driveway.  The fee is reasonable and beats renting or borrowing the equipment and doing it myself(I tried and this and will never do it again!).  Call Ted Brammer at (843)671-2929 or email him at gentlespray@hargray.com

Full Service Accounting

Janett Morris has done my book keeping for years now and I must say that it has not only saved me money as she reviews my billings, it has also saved me time.  I have taken this time to sell more.  She has 30 years of experience and picks up and delivers payroll and bills.  Call Janett at (843)422-4298 or email her at Janett_Morris@yahoo.com

We hope that these contacts serve you well.  Please be sure to mention to that you found their contact information on our blog!  Thank you.

From a great Island with great People~

WE ARE~

Robbie Bunting and Jane Hyers

robbie@robbiebunting.com