Hilton Head SC Real Estate - Collins Group Realty

3rd Quarter MLS Performance Statistics
We have 3rd Qtr stats from MLS for all areas. Overall, the number of sales as compared to the same period in 2005 is down on average by 43%! Forest Beach has taken the heaviest hit in terms of reduced activity. It is down a whopping 71% from this time last year. Port Royal, Long Cove and Spanish Wells were all next in line with drops by over 60%. Interestingly, though, the off-island golf clubs are picking up steam: Belfair, Berkeley Hall, Sun City, Oldfield, Callawassie and Spring Island all saw increases – some as much as 100% during the same period. Why? First of all, they were all down last year, so any

increase would be good news. Secondly, as list prices dropped due to their sluggish market over the past couple of years, people are now starting to pick up on the opportunities. Thirdly, we are starting to see more and more boomers come into the marketplace. Golf will likely always be an extremely popular pastime, especially for retirement, and people like to “belong,” which clubs can offer somewhat uniquely around here. So…it makes sense to see these numbers climb. And I cannot help but think that this somewhat predicts what we will see on the Island. In other words, we could be in the same lag market that these golf clubs experienced over the past couple of years, and we may expect to see a similar rebound as these latest statistics are showing for those communities? We will keep an eye out on these market trends and keep you posted

Irony in the Market Place - or Not?
When it comes to time on the market, the statistics are all over the board. Some properties have been on the market in excess of 2 years, while others sell in just a few days. This is not surprising given the limited number of buyers in the marketplace and the high inventory of homes listed for sale. The question is: Which properties have sold for closer to list price: Those that took longer to sell, experiencing price reductions along the way, or those that sold in the first week? Well, it may not be all that ironic – the homes that sold within the first week of being on the market, on average, sold for closer to list price. Why? Because the market recognizes good-deals, and even though the market is slower right now, good deals NEVER last. So, they tend to sell quickly, and, because the price is deemed to be good to buyers, there tends to be less negotiating on the price.

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
With temperatures dipping into the 30’s at night this week, we are all reminded that it actually can get cold here on the Island from time to time, and it is prudent to be prepared. Consider the following suggestions as you prepare your house for “winter:”

1) Check the insulation around windows and doors to ensure snug closures;
2) Check the insulation in your attic and under your home as batts can sometimes droop or shift due to critters, workers, etc..
3) Have your HVAC system serviced and heating-coils cleaned to avoid that “strange smell” when the heat is first turned on;
4) Consult your landscape expert to see about reducing watering times for your irrigation to save water;
5) Have your chimney inspected/cleaned before starting your first fire;
6) Drain hoses and insulate hose bibs that are exposed to the cold (especially along docks, etc..).

Remember, when it comes to these and other home maintenance efforts, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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

Chip Collins Prepares for Marathon (hopefully)
After some childish goading by his older brother who has already run a full marathon, Chip is aiming and training to run a full marathon this December. More news to follow.

Ann Eden's Daughter to Wed
Ann is excited about the wedding of her daughter Elizabeth to Alexander Meyer on November 11, 2006 in Costa Rica! Photos to follow.

Gail Bonnett Becomes Grandmother
Gail is proud to announce the arrival of her first granddaughter Madigail Jozic, who was born August 9, 2006. Madigail just enjoyed her first trip to Hilton Head from her home in Hunter Mountain, NY.

Highway 278 6-Lanes Due to Open
The much awaited expansion of Highway 278 in Bluffton is nearing full completion after a relatively-smooth construction period. The off-season opening of the 6-lane stretch will give locals time to master the new road-challenge before the increase in traffic from visitors comes in the Spring tourist season.

Steinmart Opens in Bluffton
Okay, I must admit that the gals in our office found this worthy for this month’s e-newsletter. The popular discount retail chain sells name-brands at competitive prices, and the area’s newest store is located at the Belfair Towne Village near Truffles Café.

Speaking of Shopping
One of the Island’s most popular outdoor shopping malls, Coligny Plaza, turned 50 this year! Located just a block from the beach in the North Forest Beach area on Hilton Head, the center started as a single store named Forest Beach Market (located where Piggly Wiggly now stands). Charles Fraser was the first customer of Forest Beach Market while he was planning to build Sea Pines.

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

Melissa Block-Digiorgio of Philipsburg, NJ

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