Dear Clients, Friends and Fellow Associates ~

First and foremost, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your business.  We are currently in the process of updating our client contact information. We believe that utilizing e-mail can help us provide you with more timely information and more efficient service.

In that regard, if you or someone you know(we love referrals) are ready to start researching  “the timing of all three” this market currently offers please contact us asap.  The last time I saw these together was 20 years ago and this is the next cycle! 

The timing of all three includes:

1. historically low prices
2. incredible properties
3. low interest rates

It is our goal that this blog offers you up to date and useful area information.  Some of our popular articles include Latte Lou’s Guide to Great Restaurants,  trade Information and free maps,  We hope these make your Island ownership and visits fun. If you have any suggestion for articles that would be useful and helpful to you please let us know. 

Our best to you,

Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers
Broker Associate
800-932-3652 or 842-0805
islandrealtor@hargray.com  

P.S. – All bets are off for “the timing of all three” as we make the turn and start heading out of this buyers market.  Once we make the turn 2 out of 3 ain’t so bad!

Buyer and Refinancing Alert!

Mortgage rates droped this week. This is a great opportunity RIGHT NOW for smart buyers and investors! Call me to find out more.

Interest rates on 30-year fixed mortgages, 15-year fixed loans, five-year adjustable-rate mortgages, and one-year ARMs all fell this week, according to Freddie Mac.This is a great opportunity for buyers. With historically low prices, lowered interest rates and the $8000 tax credit stimulus, make sure you don’t miss out. The tax credit stops at end of year.

If you want to time this, you really should start your home search now to ensure you don’t get caught in the end of year crunch where other procrastinating buyers will be competing for the best properties and values.

Call me to set up a free, no-obligation consultation and I can help you strategize how best to move forward. But I recommend you move now and don’t cheat yourself out of this opportunity.

Here is a breakdown of the mortgage rate developments this week:

• The average on 30-year financing slipped to 5.2 percent from 5.32 percent a week ago.
• The 15-year mortgage declined to 4.69 percent, down from 4.77 percent.
• Five-year ARMs were down to 4.82 percent from 4.88 percent.
• One-year ARMs fell to 4.82 percent from 4.94 percent.

Call me or email me to set up a consultation, or pass my information to a friend or colleague who you think might benefit from this window of opportunity.

All the Best!

Robbie Bunting

800-932-3652

Dear friends, clients and fellow associates~

The internet is many things but there are still many things it is not.  I had one seller tell me “the one thing I would not take off the table is the buyer, seller, realtor relationship (despite the internet).  That is, you have a seller with something distinctive and a buyer with distinctive wants; if you can see the match a sale happens.  The web site does not easily accommodate that.”  I call this the interNOT factor.  Simply said, the internet is a great way to research, but at the end of the day the internet falls short in allowing us to feel, see and experience the community or property.   It does not summarize or overcome objections, it simply loads us up with information and choices.

Knowing what the internet is and what it is not, helps us as we continue to provide new services to our sellers and buyers.  Our websites are reporting hundreds of visitors per week as buyers click and pick their perfect properties.  We are spending a large amount of time and money driving traffic to our websites.  Last week alone, we put our new blog in front of over 15,000 prospects and our blog was most recently in the Blog Section of the CNN article Hilton Head by water a marina by marina guide.  In addition,  our company spent over $100,000 last year on a new website that is now capturing buyers!  While we do our best to provide virtual tours, photos, helpful descriptions and useful facts we never know where a buyer will find us!

When a buyer or seller searches real estate on the web we never know where they will land.   Therefore it is our goal to have as many websites as possible.  These websites are similar to having billboards or for sale signs located all over the world.  Although our websites are worldwide, we go out globally to 38 countries with just one of these websites. We post our properties on 39+ of these which reach world wide!  With a population of only 35,000, these websites have the advantage of reaching “critical mass” for our Hilton Head Island Properties.

Below are just a few of the national and international web sites we have our properties shown on everyday: 

So go ahead…click and pick!   We are here if you have any questions or want to see, feel and experience this community and property in real life.   Thank you.

All the best…

Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers
Realtor ~ Associate Broker
Hilton Head Island,  SC
 
Via Phone             800-932-3652 ~ 842-0805
e-mail                    robbie@robbiebunting.com

Click HERE for my blog

P Before you print this e-mail, please think of our environment. Thanks!

 
The internet has changed my business, has it changed yours?  Buyers now surf the web looking for the right property instead of walking through doors.  However, when a buyers finally walk through the door they are more qualified and knowledgeable than ever before.  It used to take us days, weeks and sometimes years to find the perfect property for our buyers.  Today more time is spent clicking through properties on the internet and less time walking into them which speeds up process.

Good News for sellers and buyers!   We are getting results and activity has increased including  referral requests, open house leads, internet leads, and increased Realtor activity.  The virtual tours are getting activity on the web-sites including Realtor.com, HiltonHeadMLS.com, DunesMarketingGroup.com, RobbieBunting.com and a long list of other sites.  

We have been tracking the market now for years creating “Market Trend Reports”.  Needless to say we are finally seeing an increase in Buyer Activity as a trend.  Our reports summarizes activity for Island homes, Island villas and Island home-sites for sale and includes solds and pendings for the month.  Using this information we can spot trends that can help you.  

In summary, homes continue to sell well under one million dollars. Those properties over the million must have great condition, location and price to sell in this very competitive market.  We saw villas under $350,000 jump in sales by over 100% last month.  This is great news as this should trickle up to the more expensive villas.  And we are finally closing home site sales although prices must be compelling to get a buyers attention in this market. 

Give us a call anytime if you have any questions or if you would like a free copy of our Monthly Market Trend Report. 

Have a great weekend and don’t forget MOM!

All the Best~

Robbie Bunting & Jane Hyers
Realtors ~ Associate Broker
Hilton Head Island,  SC
 
Via Phone             800-932-3652 ~ 842-0805
e-mail                    robbie@robbiebunting.com

P Before you print this e-mail, please think of our environment. Thanks! 

Dear Future Buyers,

If you are thinking of buying property now or in the near future on Hilton Head Island, don’t take a chance on time. The real estate market is dishing up some fabulous properties that not only offer incredible pricing with impeccable condition and fabulous locations. That said, below is a true story about waiting to buy.

In 1986, I met Ron a potential buyer for a second home near the beach at our furnished Huntington Model. Ron was my first real contact with an IBM engineer. Ron was a pipe smoking, Volvo driving analytical. Needless to say, for the next three years we spoke on the phone or met numerous times reviewing square footages, villas for sale, homes for sale and compared price per square foot as it related to location to the beach.

I should also mention that in those years, inventories were high and prices were still adjusting as the 1986 tax laws changed the deductions allowed on multiple properties. We were in a market pretty much the same as we are today. Finally after three years Ron settled on the place we first met, a three bedroom Huntington Villa. I believe he got a furniture package included, but paid pretty much the same price he would have paid in 1986. The one thing Ron did lose while we over analyzed the market was the time he could have had with his wife and grand children enjoying it.

A few years passed by and I saw Ron again and we laughed about our search together and the formulas we developed. I asked him how the villa was working out and did he have any regrets. He told me then that the only thing he regretted was not doing this three years earlier. To finish the story, a few years ago I had a call from Ron’s wife to tell me that he had passed away.

How much time are you willing to lose waiting for a sign, or the right time or the right price? You just cannot take a chance on time and when you are finally ready, I now have all the formulas thanks to Ron!

Hilton Head Real Estate

Hi~

Below are the market trend statistics for February 2009 which include Hilton Head Properties only.  

We are seeing activity in all residential price points…although the sales over 2 million are still slower with very high inventories which means prices will be correcting on the less than premier locations for the age/condition challenged properties.  

The good news is we sold 39 homes in February compared to 26 homes in January, 37 villas in February compared to 33 villas in January and vacant home sites are still sitting as a result of homes selling below replacement cost.

According to the market research I have completed, the number of properties for sale will start declining in coming months in the residential markets on Hilton Head Island.  If you have ever thought of purchasing it is our suggestion to start looking for the choice property you’ve always wanted as the best picks will be disappearing as we move through 2009. 

Our Best,

P.S.  Please feel free to share this with our contact information.  Thank you.

“The first Time Homebuyer Tax Credit” will benefit some Palmetto Dunes Properties.   Eligible purchasers that have not owned a home for 3 years with incomes that do not exceed $75,000 per year ($150,000 on joint returns), will be illegible for an $8000.00 tax credit with no repayment requirement.  Even though this may not apply to you, the “real estate food chain” will start moving again which will in turn produce more real estate activity and sales in our communities including Palmetto Dunes, Leamington and Shelter Cove.   

Real estate IS selling on Hilton Head Island despite the economy and media.  In Hilton Head, South Carolina MLS there are 310 pending listings this month that means that in the next 30-45 days there will be 310 more homes SOLD!!! If you take an average price of $616,743 that means the people who have come to Hilton Head and loved all that they saw and experienced, have spent $191,190,330 in one month on these 310 homes, villas and lots!  Now, that’s what we call stimulus!  

The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina at Shelter Cove Did you know that an art director from Sesame Street designs one set a year for us?  His name is Bob Phillips and he’s known for detail.  He even takes the time to design areas of the stage that are only seen by part of the audience.  There are 5 shows each year and the view is great from every seat in the house.  They are all wonderful!  Aren’t we lucky to have “Broadway” right in our own community?  See you there!  

How healthy is your Palmetto Dunes, Leamington or Shelter Cove regime?  Villas / condos have a monthly “regime fee” which may include landscaping, pool, , pest control, exterior maintenance,  insurance, etc.  If you are looking at a condo or villa it is a good idea to check the “health” of the regime to make sure there are no pending assessments and that there is plenty of working capital.  Your experienced full time REALTORS at Dunes Marketing know the ins and outs when it comes to villas on the Island.  

Make plans now  to watch or attend the 2009 Verizon Heritage Golf Tournament.  The Verizon Heritage Golf Tournament is South Carolina’s only PGA event and will be played at the Harbourtown Golf Links in Sea Pines April 13-19, 2009.  For more information and tickets visit to www.verizonheritage.com .  For accommodation packages and information on our incredible real estate contact your Dunes Marketing Group agent.  Hope to see you there!  

Back In The Saddle Again.  Stocky Low Country Marsh Tackies made a triumphant return in Hilton Head Island’s first marsh tacky races in 40 years.  Fifteen marsh tacky horses raced on the brown, wet sand of low tide at Mitchellville Beach as part of the island’s Gullah Celebration.  It has been more than 40 years since the short, stocky breed has galloped beside Port Royal Sound.  It was the revival of a longtime Gullah and native islander tradition.  The race was attended by more than 3,000 spectators.   

Dunes Marketing Group is an upside down sales company.  In an economy like this one, other real estate companies call on Dunes to bring a buyer to their listings.  While we promise to do our best, our first priority is to see if we can find buyers for our own listings.  After all, that’s why our sellers listed with Dunes Marketing Group. We are an upside down real estate company because we have more buyers than listings which is different than most other companies around the island.  In fact…we need more listings to sell!                                         

The Hilton Head Area Hospitality Association will host the popular Wine Fest. The big event will be held on Saturday – March 14th at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn. In addition to the public wine and food tasting the Junior League of Savannah is hosting a Pie Baking Contest, Hilton Head Kitchen & Bath will sponsor the Tailgate Gourmet Challenge, and there will be much more.  This is a festival that you won’t soon forget. For tickets and details visit www.hiltonheadhospitality.org  and click on Wine Fest.   

 Palmetto Dunes Outfitters…  just had their annual Oyster Roast Fund Raiser January 28^th for restocking redfish in our lagoon.  Approximately 1,500 – 2000 redfish will be released in April.  “Black drum fishing has been the best I’ve ever seen in January & February with catches from 5-20 lb” according to Captain Trent Malphrus.   

Dunes Marketing Group would like to sell your property  We have the buyers (over 400 percent more than our closest competitor), we talk with guests and walk-ins that are staying in Palmetto Dunes daily and want to know what is on the market.  As a real estate group, Dunes Marketing Group Tours tours their listed properties weekly.  Call us today for a free analysis of your home or villa.  

            I’m proud of our numbers and I just want you to know!   In 2008, Dunes Marketing Group participated in 39.8% of all transaction in Palmetto Dunes with our next closest competitor only 11.9%.  That’s 75% more transactions than our closest competitor!  More than ever it’s important to look at results. Numbers speak louder than words! 

Palmetto Dunes gets a new Oceanfront Restaurant.  The Dunes House (Inside Mariners Gate) is going to be open for dining in April 2009.  Now visitors and owners will have a convenient access to lunch or dinner oceanfront within Palmetto Dunes.  Overlooking the Atlantic, this location will offer outside decks and inside dining.  We will be publishing hours and menus in our next publication.    

“When Property Is “Priced to Sell”, It Sells!”  Right now there are many homes, villas and lots on the market that ARE NOT, as we say in the real estate business, “PRICED TO SELL”! Owners who list their property for sale should remember that their competition includes foreclosed properties and comparable properties that have been pre-approved by the owner’s lender to sell for LESS THAN WHAT IS OWED ON THE MORTGAGE!  Can you compete with these owners on price and do you really need to sell?  If the answer to both questions is a resounding “NO”, then NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY.  

 Palmetto Dunes Resort has it ALL!  When it comes to Hilton Head Island events, Palmetto Dunes offers a wide range of conference and event venues and multiple meeting facility options for corporate events, weddings, family reunions, social gatherings, luncheons and dinner parties. In-home chef services and catering are available for guests who would like to enjoy a custom meal prepared by a personal chef or a romantic dinner at a private villa. From social events to special events, Palmetto Dunes has every detail covered.

Where’s a better place to put your money: the stock market or real estate? These days the accepted wisdom (at least at cocktail parties) says to pick real estate. But is the accepted wisdom right? 

It is–in the short term. U.S. real estate sale prices increased more than 56% from the beginning of 1999 to the end of 2004, as tracked by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The S&P 500 index dipped nearly 6% during that same period.   Looking at these numbers help reinforce the reasons to own and buy more Island real estate for the long term.

We are going to share the good news every chance we get.  It may not sell papers, but face it, we all could benefit from a little encouragement.   I’ve researched and prepared the table below to show residential Hilton Head MLS properties compared it to the Dow, Nasdaq and S&P.   If the chart cannot be seen on your computer, please click on the pdf above.   

The real estate market is not the stock market.  However, because the press continues to draw a correlation, we thought we would do a little comparison.  Here is what it would look like if we compare real estate to stocks. (HHMLS is Hilton Head Multiple Listing Service)

The silver lining right now is that our Island Real Estate market has been a better long term and more stable opportunity.  Right now with the larger Island inventory (this never gets too large as it is an Island of limited size and number of properties) to choose from and interest rates holding at historically low levels, the number of potential buyers that can find what they are looking for is at the highest level in years.  

“Buy land, homes and villas, they ain’t making anymore”   If you would like to do some research and see some incredible properties with incredible values, please click on the lighthouse above.  

I invite you to share this good news with friends and would love to hear from you anytime.

THINK Hilton Head Island Real Estate!

Best regards, 

Robbie Bunting and Jane Hyers

Associate Real Estate

We are starting our open houses at the end of February at 121 Dune Lane and our homes at Palmetto Hall…..  The open house setting is usually more relaxed for the prospective buyer and a lot less threatening.  It also gives a buyer the chance to see, feel and experience the home without tying up a sales person time.  I have personally made several sales from these open houses and believe they provide the exposure you need to sell your property.  Just recently a home sold on the Island from an open house to a couple down the street that wanted a larger home. So even the neighbors become prospects and promoters.  As well, we will be offering a $1,000.00 closing cost coupon to these prospects if they purchase one of our properties from an open house.  These coupons are good for two weeks after the open house and help us create a sense of urgency.  By the way, they are paid for from our earned commission at closing :).