Monday, July 11, 2011

Summer Tidings

July, 2011

Dear Sea Pines Friends and Neighbors,

Summer is officially here, and the warm and sunny July 4th weekend was one of the busiest in recent memory. In talking to some of our friends in the rental management business, this weekend was one of the most successful for rental activity in the previous ten years. Since many of our first time buyers come to us as happy renters and vacationers, we are delighted to see so many families enjoying our Sea Pines paradise.

Continuing our reporting of good news, our Island received GREAT news with the signing of the Royal Bank of Canada as the title sponsor, and Boeing as the presenting sponsor, for the Heritage Tournament. Many thanks go out to the Heritage Foundation, the business community, and the local and state politicians, particularly Governor Haley, who made the continuation of our Tournament their number one priority. The pictorial exposure and complimentary commentary that comes with each Tournament broadcast, from players, broadcasters, and PGA officials alike, provide virtually invaluable advertising to all of us who have an interest in seeing our Sea Pines property values appreciate in the future: the comments and incredible visual images turn viewers into renters, and we help turn renters into buyers!

Real estate sales activity continues to be much stronger this year. More Sea Pines homes have sold in the first six months of this year than we have seen since the “go-go” market of 2005: Eighty nine homes have closed in the first half of 2011. Villa sales are stronger too - you have to go back to 2008 to see a higher level of villa sales activity. We continue to receive an ever-increasing number of internet, telephone, walk-in and referral inquiries, and more and more potential buyers who were “waiting things out” are now re-entering the market. When a property is priced correctly, and marketed properly, we are seeing shorter sales cycles than we have seen in the past two years. The inventory levels are going down as well – less than 200 Sea Pines homes are listed for sale; at one point just a little over a year ago, we had more than 280 homes listed for sale in Sea Pines.

At Clark, Cramer and Frank, we are proud that again in 2011, as we have since 2007, we continue to close more Sea Pines property transactions than any other agent or team in the entire Hilton Head MLS. If you would like to discuss the market with us in more detail, and/or talk about your property and the real estate sales objectives that you have, we would be happy to spend some time with you.

We are located at the South Beach Marina village; please stop by any day, or call us on 843-363-4523, or visit our website, www.WeSellSeaPines.com , and click on the “Contact Us” tab on the home page

Friday, May 6, 2011

Pedal power: Hilton Head gets bike-friendly silver level award

The power of the pedal earned Hilton Head Island a silver medal.

The town became the only community in South Carolina and one of five in the Southeast to receive a silver level award from the League of American Bicyclists, earning it certification as a Bicycle Friendly Community. Thirty-two communities nationwide have silver designations.

The league announced its latest round of bike friendly designations Monday. About 50 cycling advocates stood next to their bicycles in the Town Hall parking lot Tuesday, holding signs of "HHI loves bicycles," as Mayor Drew Laughlin read a proclamation recognizing May as National Bike Month.

Hilton Head was one of three communities to earn silver, along with Boston and Sisters, Ore. Nearly 180 communities in 44 states have received bike friendly designation, including Greenville, Spartanburg, Columbia and Charleston.

The league recognizes communities that provide safe accommodations for cycling and encourage biking as a means of transportation and recreation. Communities receive a bronze, silver, gold or platinum rating.

Hilton Head has more than 100 miles of paths for runners, walkers, skaters and bikers, giving it high marks, said league spokeswoman Meghan Cahill. The island also scored well when it came to connectivity, road crossings for bicyclists, path maintenance and bike rentals.

Cahill noted that 20,000 bikes on the island are for rent, and kiosks throughout the path system contain bike-safety material and maps.

"This is a tremendous accomplishment for our community and reflects the decades of investment in pathways, safety initiatives and infrastructure activities to support residents and the nearly 1 million people who bike yearly on our island," said Frank Babel, founder of Squeaky Wheels Cycling Advocacy Group.

Town and chamber of commerce officials said the recognition will help attract more tourists, increase property values and improve public health. The chamber plans to tie the recognition to marketing efforts to promote the island as bike-friendly.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

New Featured Listing - 14 Cedar Waxwing

Enjoy your vacation in this great 4 bedroom, 4 bath second row beach walk home. Plenty of room for all your guests - a large living room, family room, media room, screened porch and a lovely pool side setting. Rents well with gross rentals of approximately $83,000. Fully furnished and very tastefully decorated - a truly turnkey rental opportunity. Updated interior and well maintained, exterior recently painted. Located in a quiet and highly desirable area - off South Beach Lane. One of the best Sea Pines beach values on the market. MLS# 307672

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

New Featured Listing - 1867 Beachside Tennis

Relax and enjoy the gorgeous sunsets over the ocean, watch the dolphins play, shrimp boats trolling and sailboats in the sun from the balcony of this oceanfront condo tastefully furnished in a wonderful BEACH atmosphere. This villa has a great kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless appliances. Just steps to all of the amenities of the South Beach Marina Village. Great rental or vacation property. MLS# 307481

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

New Featured Listing - 4 Piping Plover

Wow! 4th row ocean on one of Sea Pines best beach streets - rare double lot creating the ability to build a beach house way beyond the normal scope. Unique opportunity. MLS #307504

Friday, March 18, 2011

New Featured Listing - 86 Governors Road

Great buy! Full sized lot with incredible views of the 16th green of the Sea Pines Club Course. Fantastic area to build a vacation home or permanent residence. MLS #307400

Thursday, March 17, 2011

New Featured Listing - 1912 South Beach Club Villa

One of the most elegant villas in the most elegant building in Sea Pines. It is in beautiful condition and a large pass-through bar has been created between the kitchen and the main living area. As an end unit in the best position in the building, it has a spectacular view. MLS #307351