A guide to Hilton Head Island and Bluffton area real estate, rentals and lifestyle
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1057379
In the state of South Carolina, home reassessments take place once every fi ve years with the most recent year being 2018. Home reassessments take place to determine property taxes, and are normally less than the actual market value of the property. A reassessment is an eff ort to establish a value of all real property. In addition to the home and land, real property includes home improvements such as add-ons, a swimming pool, a dock, and much more. e assessor also looks at square footage, lot size, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and cost of upkeep. Once the home's value is determined, the assessor takes the value of the home and multiplies it by the assessment rate percentage that the tax jurisdiction sets to determine how much property taxes will be. e reassessment process ensures that all properties that have similar characteristics are valued consistently. In addition to an assessment every fi ve years, individual property reassessments also occur the year following a property sale and for non-exempt ownership transfers. If it is not time for a property reassessment, there are still other ways to determine a home's value for other reasons than property tax purposes: 1. Compare the home to recently sold or currently for sale properties in the area with similar size, number of bedroom and bathrooms, and home additions using the Multiple Listing Service of Hilton Head Island (HHIMLS) platform. is provides an idea of how much homes are currently valued, but only for sale purposes. 2. Contact an HHIMLS agent. An agent can provide you with an estimate of the market value. HHIMLS agents are equipped with the best tools and knowledge to assess current market trends, home prices in the area, and location popularity. e agent can also answer any other home concerns present regarding area changes, renovations, etc. 3. Contact a bank or mortgage company. If a bank processes loans or refi nances existing loans, it might be able to help determine the value of a specifi c home in the area. Banks and mortgage companies have access to home appraisals to help them determine loan and mortgage options. 4. Use an online home-estimator tool. Although these tools are typically fi ve percent off from the actual value, they do provide a ballpark range to get an idea of what a home is worth. Knowing a home's value is important to both buyers and sellers because it determines whether a listing is priced correctly and determines how homeowners should price their home. It is important to know home values for other reasons such as home equity credit lines, insurance premiums and property taxes. To fi nd an HHIMLS agent to help determine your property value, go to www. hiltonheadmls.com. The popular website "Only In Your State" (www.onlyinyourstate.com/south-carolina/sc-is-best-state-in-the-us/) gave South Carolina some love with a feature en tled "13 Ways South Carolina Has Quietly Become The Coolest State In America." The ar cle noted things we enjoy like great scenery, stunning beaches, an endless variety of outdoor ac vi es, friendly pe ople, 5 FARMER'S MARKETS In South Carolina fresh foods and flowers are available during months when cold weather is se ng in up north. Through December 28, Farmers Market of Blu on features local produce, plants, nuts, herbs, flowers, honey, cheese, milk, eggs, beef, pork, lamb, seafood and more. 6 WE SPECIALIZE IN THE UNIQUE The longer you're in Hilton Head, the more you'll discover unusual and intriguing experiences. Foot golf requires you to kick a soccer ball into a 21-inch cup in as few kicks as possible. Players of all ages can enjoy the 9-hole, foot golf course on Planter's Row at the Port Royal Golf Club. Or take the alligator, wine and cheese tour with H2O sports in a riverboat in the freshwater lakes of the Sea Pines Resort Forest Preserve. Visit the King Neptune Sundial standing guard at the Shelter Cove Harbour and enjoy the sunset and breezes off the marina. We have restaurants that you won't find anywhere else like Claude & Uli's Bistro, where the escargot and other fare is made with European flair, and Hudson's Seafood House where seafood is prepared fresh from the boat each day. 7 HISTORY IS ON DISPLAY Hilton Head is full of history. There are Gullah heritage tours that show how enslaved people preserved their rich culture and express it today. Visit Mitchelville, the first freedmen's town in America, and take a drive down Beach City Road, past the original churches, homes and a school building s ll standing there today. Stop at Mitchelville Freedom Park on your way for a view of the site of the Ba le of Port Royal and visit historical markers spotligh ng area history. Four forts were built on Hilton Head during the Civil War, and the remains of two earthen embankment forts, Fort Mitchel and Fort Howell, s ll fascinate Civil War buffs. Fort Walker was one of the targets of the largest naval ba le ever in U.S. waters. Cole e Stevenson is the CEO of MLS of Hilton Head Island, Inc. and a CMLX3 Cer fied Council of MLS Leader. HHIMLS Serves Licensed Agents & Realtors® from the en re state of SC, as well as GA and If you're considering a move to the Hilton Head area, contact an HHIMLS agent. We have access to the latest data, inventory, and tracking trends to help you find your perfect piece of the Lowcountry. With the most advanced pla orms to make the process smooth and sim- ple, we're ready to help buy- ers and sellers. Turn to HHIMLS to make Hilton Head your home today. www.HiltonHeadMLS.com 1 AN ABUNDANCE OF NATURE If random sigh ngs of deer, birds, and an alligator or two aren't enough to thrill you, we have Pinckney Na onal Wildlife Refuge, a great place to view some of the thousands of migratory birds that have Hilton Head in their flight path. The Refuge is a nes ng habitat for birds like ibis, egrets, and herons. If you love horses, check out the Sea Pines Forest Preserve with Lawton Stables. 2 THE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Hilton Head is full of museums and theaters. Learn about the natural history and cultural heritage of the Lowcountry at the Coastal Discovery Museum. Take in a professional show at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Find representa onal drawings, pain ngs and sculpture by the na on's leading ar sts at the Red Piano Art Gallery, South Carolina's oldest professional gallery of fine art. At the Jazz Corner, an old-school nightclub, modern southern food and live jazz combine to keep you coming back. 3 SEASONAL FESTIVALS Star ng October 19, each Thursday there's the Shelter Cove Music & Taste on the Harbour fall outdoor concert series. Local restaurants offer specially priced light appe zers, wine, beer, and cocktails. The annual Italian Heritage Fes val (Nov 18), honors the Feast of San Gennaro with food and booths featuring Italian arts, cra s, and merchandise. The Winter Wonderland Fes val (Dec 1) provides a great environment to start your Holiday. Celebrate with carnival games, a children's parade, a golden candy cane hunt, and a visit from Santa, all at Shelter Cove Community Park. 4 ENDLESS FUN ON THE WATER From deep sea fishing to sailing, you'll never run out of op ons for making the most of coastal life. Creek Cat tours offer small outboard motor boats that cruise among the wildlife. Flying Circus 11 Considering a move to the Hilton Head area? Our Members access the latest Real Estate data, inventory, and tracking trends to help you fi nd your perfect piece of the Lowcountry. By utilizing the most advanced tools in the industry, we make the process smooth and simple for buyers and sellers. Turn to an HHIMLS member to make South Carolina your home today. www.HiltonHeadMLS.com Colette Stevenson, CEO MLS of Hilton Head Island, Inc. and CMLX3 Certifi ed Council of MLS Leader HHIMLS serves Agents & Realtors® representing properties in SC and GA Determining Your Home's Value During A Non-Assessment Year Re-evaluated and Re-assessed