Property Management

BY MARK KREUZWIESER / PHOTO BY ROB KAUFMAN

A buyer's market and a borrower's dream

Ever the optimists, Hilton Head Island/Bluffton area Realtors are singing the praises of the real estate market in these times of economic woe.

A July article in the Wall Street Journal touted the improving state of Hilton Head's vacation home market — something that Charles Sampson of Charles Sampson Real Estate Group said he’s seen as well.

« 2011 HILTON HEAD MONTHLY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT GUIDE

CONTACT Tom Ridgway or Kate Hinton
for a rental income projection:
800-445-8664 • 843-785-8687
578 William Hilton Pkwy., Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
www.hiltonheadvacation.com
tom@hiltonheadvacation.com
kate@hiltonheadvacation.com

Long before I actually visited there, the name of Hilton Head Island brought forth images of a magical place, based on what I had read and heard from others. When I finally vacationed there in 2003, I was so impressed upon arrival at seeing the beautifully landscaped main highway that did not glare with neon signs, overbearing billboards and the usual beach-town hawking environment.

I felt as if it was almost too good to be true. The palm trees, yellow and purple pansies and little Carolina wrens flitting about were so welcoming, almost daring me to just see if I would not love it here!

Contact us:
843-842-4664 • 800-476-4885
28 New Orleans Road
Hilton Head Island
SC 29928
www.islandgetaway.com

Island Getaway has established itself as the premier rental company on Hilton Head Island since its inception over 20 years ago.

What to look for in a rental before you move in.

There are times in almost everyone’s life that the question of renting or buying becomes a major decision. Maybe it is to relocate across the country for a new job or downsizing for the “empty nest” stage in your life. But whatever the reason, look very carefully at what you need for a comfortable lifestyle and how it will fit into your budget.

Benefits of Renting

With an abundance of homes currently on the market, many owners are deciding to rent or lease their home rather than keep it on the market for an extended amount of time. Renting instead of buying a villa, condo or single family home does have a few great benefits. The first and most important one is the cost up front and along the way. When you purchase a home, there will be the never-ending expense of maintaining it. But a glorious advantage to renting is that you will not be responsible for these problems. Imagine the luxury of free time when lawn maintenance is not your responsibility. Often the problems with appliances, plumbing and exterior maintenance is also taken care of by the landlord. Before you sign a rental contract make sure all promised maintenance is put in writing.

TRANSFER FEES: REALTOR PERSPECTIVE

It seems there are several new fees cropping up (just like taxes), that affect the value of your real estate. You may not notice them until you sell, but they could lessen the value of the house you live in. The following explains why.

We have always had deed recording fees, one type of transfer fee. While most of these monies go to the state, some go to the county. Many people are familiar with the Town of Hilton Head Island’s transfer fee, which remains on the island. It’s hard to guess how much the former adds to the value of your property, but it’s easy to drive around the area, see the open spaces the Town has purchased, and realize the value added to all properties by our local transfer fee.

Read on For the Many Reasons that a Property Management Professional is a Must for Your South Carolina Rental!

Just a quick survey of the traffic on U.S. 278 on a summer Saturday is enough to remind anyone of the incredible draw the Lowcountry continues to have. Two and a half million people travel to the Lowcountry each year – some for a golf weekend, others for a week’s retreat and some for months at a time. Whatever the duration of stay, most who visit never want to leave.

Travelers are treated to the area’s many spectacular attractions – immaculate beaches, championship golf courses, picturesque flora and fauna and rich cultural history, to name a few.