Happy Thanksgiving from Collins Group Realty! We hope that you are planning an enjoyable and safe holiday celebration with family and friends. Be sure to spread the word that Hilton Head is a terrific Thanksgiving destination with mild weather and a relaxed setting filled with built-in entertainment such as golf, tennis and beachwalks.

33 St. Andrews Place
Sea Pines - $869,000
Quality abounds throughout this impeccably-maintained home, situated ideally on a private lot with commanding views over the #2 hole of the Harbourtown Golf Links. Whether you are considering a primary or secondary residence in Sea Pines, you may find this home perfectly suited to meet and exceed your needs and interests - this is a home you will want to see! Located on a private residential street, this home is located on legal lot #16, which is situated at the end of the street in a very private setting. The elevated home has an elegant appearance, and provides for 2-car parking, a workshop and outstanding storage on the ground level. A covered front porch leads to an open entry foyer through double Mahogany doors, which were hand-carved in Mexico.

As a means of exposing you to different areas of Hilton Head Island / Bluffton, we present this interesting and entertaining section of our email newsletter. Below, you will see a photograph taken of a very specific location in our area...and all you have to do is guess where it is! Well, actually, we tell you at THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE NEWSLETTER, so don't get too frustrated if you can't figure it out. Have fun with it...and good guessing!)

Tax Reassessment Appeal Deadline Now Past
Beaufort County property owners who were in disagreement with the new valuation placed on their real estate this year by the tax assessor's office had until the 8th to file an appeal. In some cases, values jumped as much as 100%+, resulting in huge increases in real estate property taxes, despite a roll-back in the millage rate. Meanwhile, other owners actually experienced a reduction in their annual tax (billed in arrears in Beaufort County) since their values saw little or no change according to the assessor's office. The county-wide reassessment caught a lot of people off guard since valuations have historically been well below the target of 80-105% of fair market value. The reassessment takes place very 5 years, and there is a bill sitting on the Governor's desk that has the potential to limit the increase in assessed value to 20% over the five year period (4% per year).

Predictions for 2005
The election is over and the country is ready to enjoy a less-hectic holiday season, baby-boomers are retiring at an increasing pace, real estate continues to be a solid avenue for investors, and once again the Hilton Head Island area avoided damage from a significant hurricane season. All this, tied in with predications for a large increase in area population by 2020 should result in a bustling real estate market in 2005. Lot sales should be brisk in 2005 as demand increases over a declining inventory. Villa sales should remain strong as the economy continues to recover. And water-oriented home sales should command top-dollar as buyers seek to own property that "tells them" they are on an Island. In all, it should be a strong year for real estate sales - so be sure to let us know how we can help you be involved.

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.

TMCT Earns #6 Spot for YTD Sales
According to local market statistics, we are proud to announce that our Team currently fills the #6 spot area-wide for total closed real estate sales in 2005 YTD. With well over 100 firms in the area, we are thrilled to achieve this level of performance so quickly after establishing our own firm in 2003. YTD our Team has closed over $43,000,000 in real estate sales, with our goal to exceed $50 Million by the end of the year.

Business Appreciation Party
Keep your ears out for news about our January 2005 Business Appreciation Party. Great food and drinks and company.more to follow.

Local News On-Line
If you are interested in keeping up with local news developments and activities, check out http://www.islandpacket.com/. This local newspaper has created a terrific on-line version that is easy to use and navigate. If not already, it promises to become one of your regular website visiting areas.

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

Bill and Sally Hunter, Hilton Head Island, 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.

The Hilton Head Island Real Estate Center - our in-house self-service, complimentary information resource center featuring access to on-line MLS listings, cash-flow analysis programs, new-development brochures, helpful articles and much more. Open 7-days a week - just walk in, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!