The Palmetto Collection of Homes is the newest series of models being built within Sun City Hilton Head, in the newest development called reflections( across from the main campus, on Rt 278) and The Haven which is  located in the New River area off of route 46 in Bluffton S.C. The Loft option will allow homeowners more flexibility with their floor plans and  increase living area at very reasonable cost. The Loft Option will contain a bedroom, bonus room and full bath, as well as a generous living area. This is ideal for those who love to have family visit--they'll have their own space. Pulte is offering a 50 % off on Home sites and 50 % off on the new loft option. For Home-buyers within Sun City, and those outside of Sun City Hilton Head who might consider Sun City HHI as their active a... 02/24/2010

Recipe: 2 teaspoons of Old Bay per quart of water 12 red new potatoes 6 (4-inch) smoked sausage link sausage 6 ears corn 3 pounds (or a little more) fresh local South Carolina Shrimp, unpeeled Fill a large pot with enough water to cover all of the ingredients. Add the Old Bay and bring to a boil. Adjust the Old Bay to suit your taste. When the water boils, add the potatoes and sausage. Cook on medium heat for 20 minutes. Add corn and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Add shrimp and cook for no more than 3 minutes. Drain and serve on newspaper. 01/11/2010

  Sun City Author Publishes New Book Arnold Rosen of Sun City Hilton Head has published a book, "Before It's Too Late: Our Aging Veterans Tell Their Stories."  It includes 185 photographs and illustrations. You'll be able to read first-hand accounts of historic battles.The book features 47 profiles of local veterans World War II and Vietnam. You can see excerpts from the book by going to Rosen's website   Sun City Lagoons Repaired Pulte Homes has made good on its promise to Sun City residents and has made repairs and dredged several lagoons that act as stormwater-retention ponds. The lagoons are located in  these Sun City Neighborhoods: Aster Fields, Basket Walk,   Murray Hill and Water Lily Cove neighborhoods. Lagoons function as filters and keep pollutants from rainwater from reachin... 11/09/2009

Tax Cuts and Tax Credits are good things! Especially for Local real estate market in the Bluffton, SC and Hillton Head Island area. The House of representatives did a good thing--extending the first-time home buyer credit and, in addition extending tax credit of $6500 to move-up buyers. The President signed the bill today. To Qualify Applicants must have a purchase agreement in force by April 30th, 2010 and Close by June 30th 2010 Annual Incomes must be below $125000 for individuals an $15000 for those how file their taxes jointly The Home must be a PRIMARY residence--vacation homes and investment properties are excluded Applicants may purchase homes with values up to $800,000 How advantageous is this for Hilton Head, Island Real Estate? Well, this program is  better than nothing. But, ... 11/06/2009

Looking for a home in Bluffton, Sun City or Hilton Head South Carolina?   Here are ten reasons why you should let us help you: We will: 1. Provide a complete explanation of the home buying process along with a clear explanation of the South Carolina law regulating real estate agent representation, as well as the pros and cons of each type of representation 2. Provide thorough information of the current real estate market conditions. 3. Assist you in narrowing your search for the best neighborhood and then the best home with the best value in your budget range. 4. Clearly write your offer to purchase and correctly express your intentions. 5. Present your offer to purchase in a professional manner, communicating it in a most favorable way. 6. Detailed review of all offers, helping you ne... 11/04/2009

This short sale saga began over a year ago and has finally come to a successful conclusion. Our market in Hilton Head and Bluffton, SC has always been enticing to investors. The allure of the coast appeals to baby boomers - and developers alike.  My owner had purchased raw land in a new development  in Bluffton. Created by one of our pre-eminent developers, Hampton Lake was, is, and will be one of the premier communities in Bluffton.  My owner was successful in purchasing the site during one of the initial lotteries - obviously the desirability was strong in 2005. After listing the homesite for him in late 2007 with the initial intent of building a spec home for a potential purchaser, our market for homesites - and new construction markedly slowed. By early 2008, we retained the site on... 08/30/2009

If you're in the Hilton Head Island area and have always wondered what's behind that waterfall at Moss Creek's front gate; ...come on by from 1PM to 4PM on April 5th to tour the community and see the homes available in this one of a kind Plantation. 32 properties will be showcased! There will be maps and information packets available as well as residents to explain everything Moss Creek has to offer. Attached are some photos of the Plantation and it's world class amenities. The public is welcome and guest check in is at the administration building on the right hand side as you enter the gate. If you're interested in attending or have any questions, feel free to call or email me direct: Brett Lance - 843.422.5757 - brett@thebestaddressintown.com 03/27/2009

I suppose like many men who are avid sports fans, I have periodically fantasized a life as a sportswriter. I've pictured myself many a time sitting in the press box wearing an old rumpled tweed sports coat and a crooked dirty hat chomping on a cigar and leaning to the reporter next to me saying something like "Sanders is dropping his right shoulder early. 20 bucks says he doesn't make it through the third." I had my chance to play sports writer last Saturday when I attended my first University of South Carolina Beaufort Sand Sharks game. My wife, Pam Cooper Hoel, a USCB faculty member, has volunteered for the past few games ( I had always found some reason to be otherwise engaged), with many members of the faculty, student body and community, to run the whole show at the Richard Gray b... 03/16/2009

This is a post from one of my other Blogs, "Finding Work in Tough Times"' http://jobsintoughtimes.blogspot.com, but the message has universal value for those who want to build their real estate business the "old-fashion" way, by calling people and asking for their business. Find Opportunities Your Competition Doesn't Even Know Exist I don't have the statistics, but my experience in the business world has taught me that many if not most of the jobs you would like to have aren't even posted on all of the sites we spend so much time scanning on the internet. Why is this?1. Companies are always in the process of assessing their needs and positions are available long before the "posting" process is completed.2. Many companies first look internally to find the right person for a position. But... 03/12/2009

I framed the title of this post as a question because I'm not certain I have the answer.  I have ideas however, and would invite others from around the world to comment.  I'm certain that many of the factors impacting our market, Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, South Carolina, are similar to those affecting other markets, and yet we all likely have our own unique problems. Let me start by talking a bit about why our southern resort location was touted as one of the best real estate markets in the country several years ago.  At least that's what we, here, were saying.  The economy was moving along smartly; baby boomers looking for second homes and eventually to retire were to be leaving on the next train from the north for our beautiful year-round climate; cash flow was still available ... 03/11/2009

Here is an excert from my Blog, "Finding Work in Tough Times" http://jobsintoughtimes.blogspot.com/ This is a pretty simple story to stress a very important point in any endeavor. I was married in college and my wife and then one year old daughter, Jenifer, needed to find a plagh timesce to live during my senior year.  I saw an ad in the paper for an apartment that offered a tremendous discount on rent for a resident who would also take on the responsibility for maintaining the grounds.  It was a big complex and mowing the lawn in itself was a challenge. But, we were poor students and I jumped at the opportunity.  I did what the many other interested renters did.  I called the number on the ad and told an answering service of my interest.  The woman on the line politely told me that sh... 03/11/2009

I havent't given up on real estate, not by a long shot, but over the years I have had many jobs and learned some valuable lessons and techniques for setting oneself away from the crowd in job searches.  Many of the principles apply to building a real estate business.  So I've created a separate blog to help those who are looking for work in today's difficult environment.  Your are welcome to take a look - http://jobsintoughtimes.blogspot.com/ Here's the first entry: Do You Really Want to Find a Job? I have had many jobs in my life - lemonade stands, Evanston Review delivery boy, newspaper deliverer, golf caddie, an egg route (yes we delivered eggs door to door but did so more gently than with the newspapers), summer camp maintenance and kitchen crew worker, camp counselor, lifeguard, bo... 03/10/2009

I wrote the other day about local attractions as a "Marketing Tool".  Since that post, I have received feedback and read other blog posts that remind me that this particular attraction in Savannah, The Mighty 8th Air Force Museum, is much more than this.  For me it is full of inspiring stories of the bravery and courage of ordinary young men faced with extraordinary circumstances.  Each story helps me cope with the particular problems in our business and my life these days and frankly makes me somewhat ashamed of the extent to which I believe that I am facing tough times.  There were 10 men in the Mighty 8th who received the Medal of Honor, an unprecedented number from one segment of the war effort.  At the Museum, you can see the pictures and read the stories of why these men received... 03/05/2009

As a Realtor, lawyer and writer in Bluffton, South Carolina, I have often visited one of the most fascinating "attractions" in our area, specifically, the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum in Savannah.  It is of tremendous interest to many of my clients here and around the country who either were in World War II, or more recent wars, and the surprising number of people of my generation, the Baby Boomers, who have a connection to WW II through a parent or other relative. My father was in the "Mighty 8th" and the following story appeared in papers throughout the country in August 2003 Watch Survives WWII, Follows Him Home - ASSOCIATED PRESSEVANSTON, Ill. - Jim Hoel is glad to have his watch back, even though it had stopped working since he last saw it during World War II.  The last time he reme... 03/01/2009

Reading through the morning online news today a recent article from Business Week entitled "Boomtown Slowdown" (click on- http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/106554/Boomtown-Slowdown) gave an overview of the top boomtowns in each of the 50 states. I searched out the boomtown for South Carolina and low and behold wouldn't you know it, there was Bluffton, SC! Click on  http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/02/0205_boomtowns/41.htm to see more. There is lots going on in Bluffton. To find out more or to earch for homes online, click on http://teamfanning.com/ . Check out the video of Bluffton http://www.travelistic.com/video/show/11017/Bluffton,-South-Carolina,-by-Erik-Hastings I've lived and raised my family in Bluffton for the past 10 years. We love the lifestyle- the history, the... 02/15/2009

  Hey guys, its not too late! But, it’s almost Valentine’s Day. It is the perfect opportunity to show her you love her and you can go on a Valentine’s Day dinner date without leaving your Sun City Hilton Head Home!  This is not only inexpensive but it is a meaningful way to do something we men don’t do often enough.  Why Not Put Together A Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner I am going to make this real easy—you won’t have to prepare all the food, or even use the over—microwave is all you need. If you want to use the oven, that’s OK. All you’ll need to do is just shop for the best prepared and tasty frozen dishes—but you have to carefully prepare the meal, present it as if you were at a restaurant and  make it look great in the plate (I said this would be inexpensive but it will take some e... 02/11/2009

Rose Hill, Bluffton South Carolina,  sits on 2000 acres in Bluffton, South Carolina. It is has two separate security gates, one for each half of the community on either side of Highway 278. One side is commonly called The "golf side" and other the "estate or equestrian side" There are about 1000 homes in Rose Hill. Both sides are gated with 24 hour security. As you'd  imagine the estate side has larger lots, starting at 1 acre and up to 3. There are some homes that have views of the Colleton River. Equestrian Amenities: There are 3 Separate paddocks that are directly adjacent to Rose Hill's 7 miles of equestrian trails. There is also a state-of-the-art 32-barn Equestrian Center with polo fields Rose Hill Plantation holds anannual Equestrian Expo which includes  a parade of horse breeds,... 02/11/2009

With all that's going on in congress, with arguments over money and politics as usual, I thought this post would bring us back to how we remain free...   There are more Marine Corps Flags that adorn the front of homes then I can count—and the number of American Flags that wave along so many of our streets is wonderful to see.There are a lot of veterans in Sun City Hilton Head and the surrounding area. The Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot and The Marine Corps Air Station are our neighbors. Each Veterans day, the Marine Corps Band plays for the crowds that gather to honor our Vets. I think we need to be reminded often, not just on Veterans day that there is a price for our freedom.  What follows below  was sent to me by my brother-in-law who served in the Navy for 20 years, most of it ... 02/11/2009

WHAT IT TAKES TO SELL A HOME TODAY   Getting a home sold today begins with a comprehensive Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) that explains exactly what will be done so that the home sells quickly and at the highest price possible. One of the most important parts of the CMA is determining what the listing price should be. It is usually computed and expressed as a price range in which the home should sell. Although it is not a difficult computation, it is extremely labor intensive and very comprehensive.   In today's buyer's market, where there are many homes available for sale and a lot less buyers around to buy them, it is crucial to price the home right. A real estate agent MUST know the competition and be able to show the seller an analysis of all the competing properties. One of the b... 01/28/2009

Here are just two major suggestions that can go a long way to helping home sellers reduce the days that their homes remain on the market. (1) Price your home to sell, not sit. In mid-December, I listed a home in Rivers End (Okatie). Rivers End is a small subdivision outside of Bluffton in Okatie, where there are about 200 homes. There is new construction north and south--5-7 miles from this home-- at price points that compete with anything in River's End. All along route 170 new construction abounds. Builders are giving all kinds of incentives. This is tough competition for resales. This is what home sellers in Okatie and Bluffton are up against. Add to that, the fact that this month there are over 119 foreclosures in Beaufort County, South Carolina. That spells more competition for Buy... 01/21/2009