Life in Order 2025: Buying or Selling
You’re Doing the Right Thing When it Comes to Homeownership
Pink Magazine's Life in Order — June 2025 Issue
By Charles Sampson, Realtor®
Did you know your home may be the smartest purchase you will ever make in your lifetime? More than just having a place to call home, homeownership has been proven to provide families and individuals with financial stability, as well as the opportunity to build wealth for themselves and their future generations. In addition, owning a home is something to be proud of and gives families the wonderful experience of being part of a community.
Living on Hilton Head Island or in the South Carolina Lowcountry may just be one of the best places on earth. Take into account the sheer quantity of visitors who aspire to own property on or near the Island. We are the lucky ones who are able to live here.
Financial benefits of owning a home include:
• Wealth Accumulation: Unlike paying rent, every monthly mortgage
payment increases your equity.
• Tax Benefits: Mortgage interest payments may be deducted
on your annual tax return.
• Credit Building: Making on-time mortgage payments raises your credit score.
• Long-Term Security: Owning a house provides security even in unpredictable financial times, such as the current stock market.
• Fixed mortgage rates are also stable, unlike rent that may increase every year.
In terms of Hilton Head and Lowcountry real estate, the past five years (2019-2025) have been highly intriguing.
Before the middle of 2020, the real estate market was typical, neither a buyers’ nor sellers’ market prevailed, and there was a good range of inventory. Then, with the unforeseeable consequences of COVID, March through the early summer of 2020 became a buyers’ market. That summer, when people were able to visit Hilton Head Island after being quarantined, many chose to stay here and call the Lowcountry home. Many buyers reported they could remain here and continue to walk the beach, visit our restaurants, and dine outside because they could work from home and their children could attend school virtually.
In 2021 and 2022, the average selling price of a home on Hilton Head rose by approximately $300,000 and $200,000, respectively. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to diminish in 2023, the average increase slowed to around $40,000, and in 2024, it was less than $30,000.
So, what is happening right now as we approach the summer 2025 tourist season? The market is returning to normal, and there is more inventory for sale. The rate of value growth has moderated, and the COVID frenzy is all but a memory. There are fewer multiple offers and fewer purchasers are buying properties sight unseen. Although buyers now have some wiggle room to bargain and include inspections and other conditions in their offers, sellers are still receiving a reasonable prices for their property.
Since real estate is more stable, some buyers are turning to it as a result of the fluctuation in the stock market. Compared to the average interest rate over the past 50 years (approximately 7.5%), today’s interest rates are currently in the mid 6.0% level and will most likely go lower. We like to recommend “dating” the interest rate and “marrying” the property while purchasing today. This way, you will have the property you love, with the option to refinance when interest rates drop.
The opportunity to buy on Hilton Head Island and experience the Lowcountry lifestyle is the cherry on top of the cake of the already compelling reasons to own real estate here in paradise. The beauty and lifestyle here never gets old, just ask anyone who has made the move. Visiting is great, but being able to live here is even better.
When you choose The Charles Sampson Group of Charter One Realty, you are aligning yourself with professionals with years of experience in real estate sales in Hilton Head and the entire Lowcountry. Charles and his wife, Frances, moved to Hilton Head in 1972 and have been real estate sales professionals since 1985. Their market knowledge and experience is unsurpassed as thousands of happy buyers and sellers have considered them trusted advisors for 40 years. This goes for whether you are purchasing or selling a vacation property, a rental property, or your new home on Hilton Head Island or the Lowcountry. The Charles Sampson Group offers dedication and service, taking the time necessary to locate the property which best suits your ownership needs and wants. Call Charles or one of his team members today at 843-384-7300 or visit their listings at www.CharlesSampson.com.
