Hilton Head SC Real Estate - Collins Group Realty

Rose Dhu's Final Release
The last section of Bluffton’s this popular equestrian-neighborhood is now being released to the public. The newest section, named Miller’s Pond, includes lots that range from $180-240K with average lot sizes running about 1-acre. Amenities include a community recreation center with pool and cookout facility, equestrian center and 7 miles of leisure trails. There are a total of 45 lots in the new phase, and the first release includes approximately 20 made available to the public. There is also an interest-payment incentive program available being offered by the developer. For more information, email us at info@mayercollins.com today.

Inventory Building in Anticipation of Spring Market
The overall inventory of homes listed for sale is reaching a record-high as more owners prepare themselves for an anticipated strong Spring market. January sales in 2006 were down from 2005, which is not surprising given the feeding-frenzy we experienced in our market at the start of next year; however, sales are picking up gradually. Record snow in the northeast should create an added flow of visitors to the Island this Winter, adding to the increase in sales expected during March.

Attention Investors
If the success of DR Horton's The Farm at Buckwalter is any indication, the next investment move is to the newest DR Horton community Cypress Ridge. Located on Hwy 170 this community is in an up and coming area with new schools and shops. Only 15 minutes from downtown Savannah and the Hilton Head bridge, this community offers incredible convenience. POA fees will include Security System monitoring, Cable TV, and Cable Internet with in home service calls. Amenities include a resort style pool with "lazy river" and fitness club, club house with meeting rooms, and a golf course.

Home styles will include entry level homes starting in the $180K's all the way to more custom home styles in the $500K's. With the rental market in high demand, investors are likely to be pleased with performance of a new construction purchase in this community. Our favored strategy is a three bedroom starter home with a two car garage and looking to keep the purchase price under $210K. Email us for more detailed information on this investment opportunity…thanks!

Rental Units Must Be Licensed
In an effort to “level” the playing field between rental agencies and individual owners who rent directly, the Town of Hilton Head Island recently gave first-round approval to require anyone who rents out a short-term room/house on the Island to purchase a town business license. This measure would also require anyone renting out 2 or more long-term properties – for 90 days or more – to get a business license. However, owners who rent through property management/rental agencies are exempt since those companies are licensed by the Town. For an emailed copy of the article that ran in last week’s Island Packet, email Jeff Prekop at Jeff@MayerCollins.com.

We hope that you find the following tip on home maintenance, etc. to be helpful. If so, feel free to pass it along to a friend.

This Month's Tip
Lint Free and Happy: Did you know that popular dryer sheets can cause a film over your dryer’s lint screen, reducing the efficiency of your dryer’s heater? We are all accustomed to cleaning out the dryer vent between loads, but it has been suggested that washing the lint screen with soap and warm water and an old toothbrush every 6 months can go a long way to extending the life of your dryer.

Across the Country
In order to help put our local market into perspective, we have provided some nationwide real estate news that we hope you will find interesting. Just click on the USA map to the right to access this section of our newsletter...and be sure to let us know if you have any questions or comments.

Click here

Katrina Trip
Team Buyer Specialist Juan Andricain is in the process of organizing a group of people to help with relief work in Louisiana during the first week of April. There are 25 positions that need to be filled to help make this trip a full success. So…if anyone has an interest in connecting with this effort, please email Juan directly at Juan@MayerCollins.com. People helping people…there is no greater reward! Thanks!

The Rat, The Car & The Rest
A local resident recently had a scary episode when her car caught on fire due to the meddlesome chewing of a rat that nestled into her car’s engine compartment. Two weeks ago, Chip Collins frantically waived down the driver of a car that was on fire as it drove down the street. The unaware and startled driver responded and exited the vehicle only to stand by as the flames grew higher until the fire department arrived. Amazingly, the large rat scurried from the engine compartment upon the first blast of a fire extinguisher, giving light to likely cause of the fire in the first place. No one was hurt, the car was declared “totaled” and, thanks to the engineering of a good firewall, the car’s owner was able to claim the undamaged contents from the passenger compartment once the fire was doused.

Wild Wings Spreads Its Wings Westward
This popular, south-island located, locally-started buffalo-wing restaurant has recently opened a new location in Bluffton along Highway 278 (just West of Island Ford). If you love variety beyond the standard chicken-wing in a family-friendly environment, you owe it to yourself to check out Wild Wings. They are notorious for tasty food and fun times…enjoy!

Projected Growth
Consultants, working with county and municipal officials in Jasper County, recently provided the following 20-year population projection for the counter per

the following: 1) Hardeeville will grow from 8,063 to 126,813; 2) Ridgeland will grow from 3,191 to 14,591 and Unincorporated Jasper County will grow from 17,556 to 36,556.

Government Update Snippets
Eastbound widening and paving of Hwy 278 in Bluffton should be completed by the end of February; Planning continues on May River Tech Park slated for location along Buckwalter Parkway; Beaufort County $50 Million bond referendum for land-preservation program will be placed on November’s general-election ballot.

Congratulations are in order for our January E-mail
Newsletter Drawing Winner

Nancy Aiken of Bluffton, SC

As a recipient of this e-mail newsletter, you are automatically entered into our drawing for next month's giveaway. Good Luck...and don't forget to pass this along to a friend so they can sign up to be a recipient of the newsletter and an entry in our drawing! Thanks! Simply click here to enter.

Tower Beach Picnic Area: This pavilion is located just of the beach a the Sea Pines Tower Beach, a private beach for Sea Pines property owners. Residents can have family picnics while enjoying the ocean views from the pavilion, in a quiet, peaceful setting.