A guide to Hilton Head Island and Bluffton area real estate, rentals and lifestyle
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/922373
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 A er experiencing a 2017 housing market that was marked by rising prices and limited inventory, economists and research organizations began to take a hard look at what we all might expect in 2018. Several experts, including those at realtor. com, anticipate this new year will see "more manageable increases in home prices," coupled with "a modest acceleration of home sales." Mortgage rates are expected to slowly climb, topping out at around 5 percent for a 30-year xed loan by the end of 2018. Homes prices are expected to continue to grow as much as another 3.5 percent. In its 2018 Emerging Trends in Real Estate Report, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) raises concerns about the increasing lack of "mid- priced single-family homes that a cross-section of buyers can actually a ord." " e higher-end market remains well-served," according to ULI, but it will be challenging to nd a ordable mid- market homes and starter homes. Competitors for modestly prices homes will include millennials in their 20s and 30s who are ready to get their rst homes, and members of the so-called "silver tsunami" of baby boomers looking to downsize into a ordable homes and enjoy their retirement. Price and a ordability are major factors in housing decisions for these groups. Homes are available in all price ranges throughout our area, making it an ideal place to raise a family or settle into a fun- lled retirement. Our location along the coast, traditional Southern charm, and an abundance of activities combine to attract homebuyers from around the country and even the world. In our market area, entry prices seem to be inching up, particularly with homes by large-scale developers. Several new housing developments in Jasper County, on the borderline of the town of Blu on, will create competition for older home sales. is could make older homes more a ordable, but time will tell how the proximity to activities and infrastructure in older areas will impact pricing. New homes are expected to have the latest energy e cient features and technology built in, making them attractive. In addition to enjoying temperate weather and an abundance of amenities, homeowners in South Carolina are able to stretch their funds a little farther. e state o ers low property tax rates, and there is no tax on social security bene ts for retirees who settle here. Winter is one of the best times to shop for a home in the Hilton Head area. A recent article in AAA Living magazine highlighted why. e busiest buying months are spring and summer as families try to move and get settled before the start of school. ere are fewer home shoppers in winter — and that means less competition and less chance that you'll end up in a bidding war that could drive up the price of that home you love. You're also more likely to nd motivated sellers in winter, which opens the door for negotiating the price in your favor. And, the closing process is likely to be less hectic and nish up faster, since agents are dealing with a smaller volume of transactions during the winter. HHIMLS member agents are experts on our region. ey can work with you to price your existing home right and get it sold. For those shopping for a home, agents can help you nd properties that t your budget. Using the latest and best technology, they update property information in real-time so you always have access to the most accurate and up-to-date housing data. I invite you to contact an HHIMLS member for great customer service and a smooth buying or selling process. Have a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2018! 39 What To Watch If You're Planning To Buy Or Sell A Home In 2018 Housing Market Trends Considering a move to the Hilton Head area? Contact an HHIMLS agent. Our Members access the latest data, inventory, and tracking trends to help you fi nd your perfect piece of the Lowcountry. With the most advanced platforms, 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 is the CEO of MLS of Hilton Head Island, Inc. and a CMLX3 Certifi ed Council of MLS Leader. HHIMLS serves Agents & Realtors® in the entire state of SC and GA.