Life and Order: New Year...New Home?

 

Are you thinking about buying or selling Hilton Head Island or Lowcountry real estate? What do you do next?

Real estate is one of the most important financial transactions most people will make in their lifetime. Purchasing a home or second home is not just a financial transaction, it is where you and your family will live and where memories will be made. A second home at the beach affords someone to enjoy the Island lifestyle and will be a lifelong investment in your pleasure.

Selling a home is also a very important decision. Once you make the decision to buy or sell, what do you do next? One of the most important steps is to have a team of trusted advisors—a financial advisor, a bank and a REALTOR. The realtor you choose needs to know the market and be willing to listen to your goals and desires as to why you are buying or selling. A realtor should work for your best interests and have proven staying power.

FOR BUYERS: On Hilton Head Island and in the Lowcountry, properties are still selling at a discount from the 2005/06 highs. Some of the price ranges have seen an increase in value, but not all.

Bank rates are still at all-time lows! Rates for January 2015 are around 4.1 percent and are projected to go to around 4.8 percent by the end of the year. That increase on a $200,000 loan for 30 years will equate to an additional total cost of $50,000 or about $150 a month. At today’s lower rates, buyers have more purchasing power.

> BUY FOR THE FUTURE! The Lowcountry long-term rental market is very hot. Buying today at current prices, selections and bank rates—and then putting the home into a long-term rental program until you are ready to move here—is a strategic, cost-effective way to help you pay for your Hilton Head area real estate.

> ENJOY THE ISLAND LIFESTYLE! It has been proven that living at the beach can add more enjoyment to your life span….and Hilton Head Island beachfront properties are among the most beautiful in the world.

> HISTORICALLY, REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP OFFERS: A leveraged investment, forced savings, substantial tax benefits and a hedge against inflation.

FOR SELLERS: Hilton Head Island and Lowcountry home inventories are still at a low level, which means sellers have less competition in the market right now.

> NOW IS A GOOD TIME BE A MOVE UP BUYER! A seller of a lower priced home today will get a better deal on buying a more expensive property. A 10-20 percent decrease in value will offer higher savings to the move up buyer.

> BANK RATES ARE LOW AND BUYERS ARE BUYING! Your home needs to be a good deal, and in the current HGTV generation, buyers want it now and want it to be in top condition.

> SELECT A REALTOR WHO IS IN THE MARKET and has strong market knowledge, does print and local TV advertising, has a website and will effectively use social media to promote your property. In addition your realtor needs to have the respect of their fellow realtors, superior negotiating skills and a long history of satisfied clients and excellent referrals.

> TIME TO GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE! There is a reason why you are considering selling your property. It may be a move up, job relocation, or a larger/smaller family. Keep your eyes on the goal and how best to reach it.

The Charles Sampson Real Estate Group of Charter One Realty is located at the Main Street office, 81 Main Street Suite 201. Charles is the founding partner of Charter One North. He, along with his wife, Frances, has lived on Hilton Head Island since 1972, and daughter, Angela, has lived in the Lowcountry all her life. The Charles Sampson Real Estate Group can be reached at 843-681-3307, or Angela at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Frances at 843-384-1002 .. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Charles at 843-384-7300... This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The website is www.CharlesSampson.com.