Hilton Head Island was wrapped in a shroud of fog several days ago. Cold ocean water from the rapture of the deep moved by upwelling met warmer air from our landmass, creating fog. Shortly after, a blanket of pollen that looked like gold dust covered the island.
While temperatures in colder climes plunged into the teens, single digits or below, our island temps were often in the balmy 60’s and low 70’s with beautiful sun-filled days. The weather complimented a variety of events, not the least of which was the vast, changing salt marshes which were transforming, the changes in mud and grasses mostly unnoticed by the human eye. Early nest builders like the Bald Eagle gathered the breaking brown cord grass, gathering stalks for their nests. Occasionally, according to local master naturalist, Captain Patte Ranney, large white pelicans (related to our more common Brown Pelican) stop in our area while migrating this time of year from the Gulf to Canada. Normally they fly high overhead and are not observed at all. Consider it one of nature’s gifts if you ever see them.
A Lowcountry native, I never especially noticed the rust-colored marshes in the fall. One year an artist came to Hilton Head to paint some representational paintings for a local gallery. Among his work were a few rust-colored marsh scenes touched with umber. Now when I see rust and umber colored marsh I think of the artist, Harvey Kidder. Artists teach us about the world we live in; art informs the spirit. Hilton Head has long been an artist’s paradise. One of the largest membership groups on the island is the Art League of Hilton Head. I was involved in the group early on and served on the board for 16 years. Most of the artists I’ve met over time tend to be not only creative but interesting and gentle people.
Among the many art galleries on the island is the highly regarded Red Piano Gallery, co-owned (Morris-Whiteside) by Jack Morris, the former director of the Greenville County Museum which has one of the finest collections of Andrew Wyeth paintings in the United States. At one time a former owner of the gallery, Louanne LaRoche, featured the works of the famous Seattle-based glass artist Dale Chihuly, who has been designated a National Living Treasure. His work is in museums and collections all over the world. One of his fascinating installations took place in Venice, Italy. It consisted of 14 temporarily mounted enormous chandeliers over the canals and in the palazzos. It was a thrill to see his work here.
The annual Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, fashioned after a popular wine special event founded by the Wall Street Journal, was held toward the end of January. The non-profit’s proceeds from a Silent Auction benefited educational opportunities for students in the Hospitality Management study programs at the University of South Carolina Beaufort and the Technical College of the Lowcountry. This effort is also supported through the John F. and Valarie Curry scholarship Fund.
Another popular event was the Lowcountry Soup Challenge, held at the elegant Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa. Numerous restaurants were involved (we have over 200 restaurants). The Challenge helps fund the island’s non-profit Volunteer’s in Medicine, a free health clinic. First place was awarded to Hugo’s Seafood and Steak House for their Crab and Asparagus Cappuccino Soup with hazelnut broth and asiago cheese crackers. One year a former New Orleans resident, Ken Ballard, the owner of Kenny B’s French Quarter Café took first place with a Swamp Critter Stew. The chefs have a lot of fun with this “challenge”.
Some of our Indian Summer days brought out people wearing shorts and flip flops, fishing with long cane poles in a tributary off of Broad Creek in the shadow of Shelter Cove marina where sea-going yachts and sleek fishing motor yachts pulled at lines. An influx of our No. 1 real estate market, the Canadians, descended on the island, taking advantage of the exchange rate and low interest rates, driving more real estate sales.
Sales results of 2012 compared with 2011 show solid gains throughout the island. With closed sales up 10% to 177 the average price in Sea Pines is up 7% to $907,213 compared with $853,245 a year ago. Current inventory is 188 with homes averaging 93% of list price. We have clearly seen the recovery in residential sales island-wide continue.
The big winner in 2012 was villas with an exciting 20% jump in sales and a 3% increase in selling price. Inventory was down 10% from 2011. This positive trend is expected to continue in 2013 with strong sales, attractive prices and amazing interest rates.
The Sea Pines Resort had a phenomenal year in 2012, with an increase in occupancy, revenue and rental rates across the board. Home and villa revenue was up 16% from 2011 to 2012! This year we are off to a great start with future bookings 11% ahead of where we were last year. We are anticipating another banner year!
Showing posts with label Sea Pines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sea Pines. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Friday, September 28, 2012
Butterflies are Free - on Hilton Head Island
The great annual butterfly migration to our island usually begins in September, a harbinger of autumn.
On September 11, 2012, the temperature on Hilton Head was 81 degrees with clear blue skies and gentle sea breezes. My first butterfly sighting was a fluttering group of yellow Sulphers, feeding on a clump of yellow hibiscus blossoms. The Sulphers were followed by the colorful Monarchs with their black-tipped and veined orange wings, then the Viceroys and the Gulf frittlary. The silver winged Fritillary arrived, flashing silver under orange-spotted wings. There are many other species, including the dramatically beautiful Eastern Tiger Swallowtail with its jewel-like gold and black tiger streaks anchored by dazzling blue pearl-size dots bordering the tail. Some of these gentle, fragile creatures are en route to a small province in Mexico. They feed here on flowering plants, laying 3-4 egg broods. In the spring hatching butterflies wing north.
There is a palpable feeling of excitement in our soft, sea air. Change is obvious in the world of real estate, causing much chatter along the "coconut vine" with agents exulting over a number of happenings: another oceanfront home has gone under contract. This one was priced at $7,200,000. That makes nine oceanfront sales (Three are "pending") in the past nine months just in Sea Pines (I don't have room in this blog to give you island-wide statistics). After three long years of soft sales, we're seeing very encouraging trends emerging in our market. For instance, a new "spec" house (6th row ocean/golf views) priced at $2,495,000 is barely framed but it is under contract! This tells us that buyers want new construction and are willing to pay for it. We have seen very few "spec" houses in the past few years because lenders were not interested in risking funds. The "spec" business was virtually shut down unless someone with deep pockets would fund a "spec" project. Builders are reporting seeing the best sales levels since July 2006 - six long years. Often we are asked by a prospective buyer if there are still any "deals" around. They have to be gently reminded that our pricing is at 2003 levels, which is already a very good deal! Most of our sold properties are within 10% of the asking price.
Some ask about "flipping". They want to know if we are seeing any properties being "flipped" for a quick profit. I suppose that depends on what you consider a quick profit. Not long ago I noticed a very nice lot in Harbour Town with partial views of Calibogue Sound (a nice view amenity) priced under $400,000. It sold for $350,000 - a great buy. It was immediately put back on the market for sale. Several months later it sold for $450,000. Not a bad short term investment for someone's portfolio and not a bad profit but flipping often depends on a buyer listening to his real estate agent's information and expertise in our market, then having to be prepared to act quickly. No agent is going to tell you purchasing anything is not without risk. They can only give you information that may or may not assist a prospective buyer. It has been my experience in my real estate life to learn that some people can make quick decisions (such as doctors) and others cannot or do not. (Dare we say lawyers?) Right now there are some unusual and unique opportunities available that I have been researching for a customer/client whom I've sold to and listed property for before. He and his wife are very bright and very detail oriented. They have been very successful not only in their primary business but in their real estate investments. They are creative thinkers.
Money seems to be pouring into Hilton Head. The Westin Hotel at Port Royal Plantation (north end of the island) has plans on the drawing board for a $30 million renovation; the Sonesta Resort (formerly the Crown Plaza at Shipyard Plantation near Sea Pines) has announced it will undergo a $30 million renovation of its 340 guest rooms and its public spaces in addition to adding a spa. Everyone seems to be adding a spa. Big business, spas.
Three other Hilton Head beachfront hotels, Holiday Inn Oceanfront (now named The Beach House), Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa and the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort have already either undergone or announced major renovations. Our local tourism officials say this activity heralds a new era for the island's main economic driver, increasing property values and investment.
The Sea Pines Resort has announced plans for a new Heron Point (Pete Dye designed) and Ocean Course clubhouse. The 16,000 square foot clubhouse will be sited where the Plantation Club is now. Our family was Charter Members of the club and have many fond memories of it. It will be torn down after a final October remembrance celebration. The estimated cost of the new facility is $12 million. There will be 2,000 square-feet of meeting/function space. It will provide a premier golf experience for property owners and visitors.
By Labor Day weekend, summer was officially over. The sun had set on the best summer rental season since the beginning of the economic downturn. Rentals were up 12-15% for many rental companies. Properties were selling again. The 32nd annual Hilton Head Island Celebrity Golf tournament welcomed around 30 celebrities who played golf (some don't even know how to play golf but everyone has fun) on three fine area golf courses. Song-writer Paul Williams was present for the occasion: "Rainy Days and Mondays," "You and Me Against the World," "We've only Just Begun," ended in raising more funds for children's charities (over $4 million to date) and gives the public the opportunity to play golf with the celebrities.
Coming up will be polo at Rose Hill Plantation on October 14th and on November 3rd at Honey Horn Plantation (where the wonderful Farmers' Market is held each Friday in season from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.) a signature annual event on Hilton Head, The Concours d'Elegance. Residents and visitors will see some wonderful antique automobiles being driven around the island near old oaks, tall palmetto trees and still-blooming magnolias. It was recently named to the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 Events list.
Before the last butterflies fluttered away from the island, acorns began falling.
On September 11, 2012, the temperature on Hilton Head was 81 degrees with clear blue skies and gentle sea breezes. My first butterfly sighting was a fluttering group of yellow Sulphers, feeding on a clump of yellow hibiscus blossoms. The Sulphers were followed by the colorful Monarchs with their black-tipped and veined orange wings, then the Viceroys and the Gulf frittlary. The silver winged Fritillary arrived, flashing silver under orange-spotted wings. There are many other species, including the dramatically beautiful Eastern Tiger Swallowtail with its jewel-like gold and black tiger streaks anchored by dazzling blue pearl-size dots bordering the tail. Some of these gentle, fragile creatures are en route to a small province in Mexico. They feed here on flowering plants, laying 3-4 egg broods. In the spring hatching butterflies wing north.
There is a palpable feeling of excitement in our soft, sea air. Change is obvious in the world of real estate, causing much chatter along the "coconut vine" with agents exulting over a number of happenings: another oceanfront home has gone under contract. This one was priced at $7,200,000. That makes nine oceanfront sales (Three are "pending") in the past nine months just in Sea Pines (I don't have room in this blog to give you island-wide statistics). After three long years of soft sales, we're seeing very encouraging trends emerging in our market. For instance, a new "spec" house (6th row ocean/golf views) priced at $2,495,000 is barely framed but it is under contract! This tells us that buyers want new construction and are willing to pay for it. We have seen very few "spec" houses in the past few years because lenders were not interested in risking funds. The "spec" business was virtually shut down unless someone with deep pockets would fund a "spec" project. Builders are reporting seeing the best sales levels since July 2006 - six long years. Often we are asked by a prospective buyer if there are still any "deals" around. They have to be gently reminded that our pricing is at 2003 levels, which is already a very good deal! Most of our sold properties are within 10% of the asking price.
Some ask about "flipping". They want to know if we are seeing any properties being "flipped" for a quick profit. I suppose that depends on what you consider a quick profit. Not long ago I noticed a very nice lot in Harbour Town with partial views of Calibogue Sound (a nice view amenity) priced under $400,000. It sold for $350,000 - a great buy. It was immediately put back on the market for sale. Several months later it sold for $450,000. Not a bad short term investment for someone's portfolio and not a bad profit but flipping often depends on a buyer listening to his real estate agent's information and expertise in our market, then having to be prepared to act quickly. No agent is going to tell you purchasing anything is not without risk. They can only give you information that may or may not assist a prospective buyer. It has been my experience in my real estate life to learn that some people can make quick decisions (such as doctors) and others cannot or do not. (Dare we say lawyers?) Right now there are some unusual and unique opportunities available that I have been researching for a customer/client whom I've sold to and listed property for before. He and his wife are very bright and very detail oriented. They have been very successful not only in their primary business but in their real estate investments. They are creative thinkers.
Money seems to be pouring into Hilton Head. The Westin Hotel at Port Royal Plantation (north end of the island) has plans on the drawing board for a $30 million renovation; the Sonesta Resort (formerly the Crown Plaza at Shipyard Plantation near Sea Pines) has announced it will undergo a $30 million renovation of its 340 guest rooms and its public spaces in addition to adding a spa. Everyone seems to be adding a spa. Big business, spas.
Three other Hilton Head beachfront hotels, Holiday Inn Oceanfront (now named The Beach House), Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa and the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort have already either undergone or announced major renovations. Our local tourism officials say this activity heralds a new era for the island's main economic driver, increasing property values and investment.
The Sea Pines Resort has announced plans for a new Heron Point (Pete Dye designed) and Ocean Course clubhouse. The 16,000 square foot clubhouse will be sited where the Plantation Club is now. Our family was Charter Members of the club and have many fond memories of it. It will be torn down after a final October remembrance celebration. The estimated cost of the new facility is $12 million. There will be 2,000 square-feet of meeting/function space. It will provide a premier golf experience for property owners and visitors.
By Labor Day weekend, summer was officially over. The sun had set on the best summer rental season since the beginning of the economic downturn. Rentals were up 12-15% for many rental companies. Properties were selling again. The 32nd annual Hilton Head Island Celebrity Golf tournament welcomed around 30 celebrities who played golf (some don't even know how to play golf but everyone has fun) on three fine area golf courses. Song-writer Paul Williams was present for the occasion: "Rainy Days and Mondays," "You and Me Against the World," "We've only Just Begun," ended in raising more funds for children's charities (over $4 million to date) and gives the public the opportunity to play golf with the celebrities.
Coming up will be polo at Rose Hill Plantation on October 14th and on November 3rd at Honey Horn Plantation (where the wonderful Farmers' Market is held each Friday in season from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.) a signature annual event on Hilton Head, The Concours d'Elegance. Residents and visitors will see some wonderful antique automobiles being driven around the island near old oaks, tall palmetto trees and still-blooming magnolias. It was recently named to the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 Events list.
Before the last butterflies fluttered away from the island, acorns began falling.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Hilton Head Island's Changing Tides
As the summer winds down on Hilton Head, vacationers begin packing up to make the trek back to homes in other states. Some will have come from South Carolina or other nearby areas. They are called "the grits and gravy crowd." Vacationers who visit in the winter when it is too cold to get on their golf courses at home are called "the jet set". At the end of summer, the younger set have finished such activities as Crabby Encounters, Shark Tooth Necklace making, Sand Dollar Painting, Tie-Dye Fun, beaching, fishing, dolphin cruises, evening campfires in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve where ghost stories shiver young timbers and of course our favorite Alabama produced singer Greg Russell's dynamite concerts under the Liberty Oak near sleek yachts that rock gently in the famous harbor's placid waters. The tall, candy-striped lighthouse stands quiet guard over this colorful, fun, beautiful place.
Hilton Head's strong home sales in 2012 continued in July with a greater improvement rate over July 2011 sales than any of the state's 16 regions. We've seen four years of continued growth since the market bottomed in 2008. In Sea Pines alone, comparing the first six months of 2012 to all of 2011, residential sales are up 13%, villa sales are up 62% while lot sales are up 42%. Since there are so few lots available for sale, the best having been built on years ago, many buyers simply purchase an older home and long-term rent it until they are ready to tear it down and build. If it is close to the beach and in good condition, it can short-term rent by the week. Long-term rental properties are in short supply on the Island so this is a great time to buy (lower prices and low interest rates).
With 104 closed home sales in Sea Pines (if I seem to focus on Sea Pines, it is because I've lived here, by the beach, for over 40 years) in the first 7 months of 2012, the average price is up 5% to $926,728 compared to $880,120 a year ago at this time. The villa market has always been a hot market on Hilton Head until a couple of years ago. Now villa sales are up dramatically all over the Island with Sea Pines seeing a huge jump with 74 sales compared to 46 last year. Currently there are only 114 villas listed for sale compared to 161 in 2011. Naturally the lower priced inventory has been selling resulting in lower priced villas being cleared out. The same is true with homes although now we are seeing higher end homes selling, many for cash. Buyers feel that Hilton Head is a good place to put their money. Foreigners obviously feel that way since sales to them in this country have increased 24% in 2012 reaching $82.5 billion and growing. We've seen buyers from Russia, Italy, England, Germany, etc. coming to the Island.
The Hilton Head Town Council has been considering plans to use town land and money to create a new commercial district in the Coligny area near the beach. Plans first included a hotel, parking garages, a new park and new plazas with outdoor cafes, shops and restaurants (some of which are already there). Condominiums or apartments would occupy a second story above the retail space. Now comes a decision not to subsidize or support redevelopment of viable existing commercial enterprise or install public improvements. Instead, funds from a tax-increment finance district will be used to improve parking in the Coligny area, adding green space, upgrading nearby streets and establishing a presence for the University of South Carolina Beaufort's new center for event-management and hospitality training. There is also a new University of South Carolina Beaufort Gateway Campus across the bridge from Hilton Head, near Sun City that includes a nursing school
The current Hilton Head center is operated by USCB in space rented from Sea Pines and offers credit and noncredit courses as well as certificates and training for industry professionals. About 60 USCB students were enrolled for the spring semester, and the center has trained more than 360 hospitality workers. Chancellor Jane Upshaw calls it "a wonderful success" and says, "We have plans to expand the program to include coastal ecology, island environment and sustainability and offer more seminars."
She said the university had discussed plans for a campus on Hilton Head that would serve about 200 students and offer extended learning courses for residents and retirees through Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. The plan would have a sustaining appeal to seniors with on-going learning for younger people as well as filling unused rental units during the off-season. The plan accomplishes giving the Coligny area a unique identity while recognizing why it is residents live there, which is because of the forest and the beach.
Hilton Head's strong home sales in 2012 continued in July with a greater improvement rate over July 2011 sales than any of the state's 16 regions. We've seen four years of continued growth since the market bottomed in 2008. In Sea Pines alone, comparing the first six months of 2012 to all of 2011, residential sales are up 13%, villa sales are up 62% while lot sales are up 42%. Since there are so few lots available for sale, the best having been built on years ago, many buyers simply purchase an older home and long-term rent it until they are ready to tear it down and build. If it is close to the beach and in good condition, it can short-term rent by the week. Long-term rental properties are in short supply on the Island so this is a great time to buy (lower prices and low interest rates).
With 104 closed home sales in Sea Pines (if I seem to focus on Sea Pines, it is because I've lived here, by the beach, for over 40 years) in the first 7 months of 2012, the average price is up 5% to $926,728 compared to $880,120 a year ago at this time. The villa market has always been a hot market on Hilton Head until a couple of years ago. Now villa sales are up dramatically all over the Island with Sea Pines seeing a huge jump with 74 sales compared to 46 last year. Currently there are only 114 villas listed for sale compared to 161 in 2011. Naturally the lower priced inventory has been selling resulting in lower priced villas being cleared out. The same is true with homes although now we are seeing higher end homes selling, many for cash. Buyers feel that Hilton Head is a good place to put their money. Foreigners obviously feel that way since sales to them in this country have increased 24% in 2012 reaching $82.5 billion and growing. We've seen buyers from Russia, Italy, England, Germany, etc. coming to the Island.
The Hilton Head Town Council has been considering plans to use town land and money to create a new commercial district in the Coligny area near the beach. Plans first included a hotel, parking garages, a new park and new plazas with outdoor cafes, shops and restaurants (some of which are already there). Condominiums or apartments would occupy a second story above the retail space. Now comes a decision not to subsidize or support redevelopment of viable existing commercial enterprise or install public improvements. Instead, funds from a tax-increment finance district will be used to improve parking in the Coligny area, adding green space, upgrading nearby streets and establishing a presence for the University of South Carolina Beaufort's new center for event-management and hospitality training. There is also a new University of South Carolina Beaufort Gateway Campus across the bridge from Hilton Head, near Sun City that includes a nursing school
The current Hilton Head center is operated by USCB in space rented from Sea Pines and offers credit and noncredit courses as well as certificates and training for industry professionals. About 60 USCB students were enrolled for the spring semester, and the center has trained more than 360 hospitality workers. Chancellor Jane Upshaw calls it "a wonderful success" and says, "We have plans to expand the program to include coastal ecology, island environment and sustainability and offer more seminars."
She said the university had discussed plans for a campus on Hilton Head that would serve about 200 students and offer extended learning courses for residents and retirees through Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. The plan would have a sustaining appeal to seniors with on-going learning for younger people as well as filling unused rental units during the off-season. The plan accomplishes giving the Coligny area a unique identity while recognizing why it is residents live there, which is because of the forest and the beach.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Building Sandcastles on Hilton Head Island
Across the extensive marshlands that surround rivers and creeks in our area of the Lowcountry, spartina grass turns from brown to a bright, new green in June and is almost submerged by flooding spring tides, illuminated by a full moon. As the tide turns some 12 hours later, the eye is drawn to bands of color: some browns, the bright greens, patches of umber - a Rothko color field painted on nature's canvas.
At nightfall, there are as many animal and bird sounds as one would hear in a jungle. The piercing, forlorn cries of a chuck-will's-widow mingle with the songs of tree frogs, the background noise of crickets, the occasional roar of a bull alligator and an owl's hoot. The chuck-will's-widow's relentless, shrill cries are often mistaken for those of the whip-poor-will but whip-poor-wills seldom visit this still-wild place.
When you live on an Island, you learn to co-exist with nature's creatures: deer, raccoons, the occasional snake, exotic bird life (consider the tall, handsome blue heron which is actually gray), elegant white egrets dressed in exquisite plumage for the mating season; ospreys, bald eagles and of course, the prehistoric alligator.
Recently a 13 foot alligator had to be removed from a large lagoon bordering a public park. The creature had snapped up an errant soccer ball that landed in the lagoon. The soccer ball was lodged in the jaws of the gator, which, in the end, could not be relocated so it subsequently was dispatched to wherever it is that only alligators go. The following is what was found in the creature's stomach: two turtles, a 4-foot alligator, 48 rocks, 53 fishing lures, 2 baseballs, 1 tennis ball, a half-pound of lead sinkers, two other partially digested balls and one beer can. Occasionally a homeowner will find a small gator taking a swim in the family pool, at which time the wildlife officer is called.
Hilton Head is flooded with a tsunami of visitors this summer, happily building sandcastles on the beach, riding bike trails that crisscross the Island, lobbing tennis balls, hitting golf balls, sailing while porpoises trail the boats, crabbing, visiting the Indian Shell Ring that was built 4,000 years ago in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, eating watermelon - storing never to be forgotten memories of an Island vacation with friends and family.
In the real world of business and real estate activity, our market is recovering quicker than most in the national marketplace. As inventory is declining with short sales and foreclosures being cleared out, there are positive trends such as 77 homes in Sea Pines selling so far this year with an average price of $1,009,007 compared to $863,867 in 2011. Five oceanfront homes have sold, impacting the average price. As mentioned in my blog last month, the upper end of the market is selling again and for a couple of months now, agents have been getting multiple offers on desirable properties, the result of a more balanced market. Appraisers are still often having problems matching value to comparable selling prices as the market keeps moving, resulting in a determined buyer who knows what he wants making a larger down payment if necessary and walking away with the property at a good price and low interest mortgage payments.
Over the years, Hilton Head Island has benefited from The Town of Hilton Head purchasing around 1,100 acres of land on the Island, keeping it from commercial development. Currently, the Island is benefiting from the major infusion of capital improvements and redevelopment at Shelter Cove, Park Plaza, Coligny Plaza and Sea Pines Center. Beaufort County signed off on the Hilton Head Island's Airport expansion project. The master plan calls for a two-phased extension of the 4,300-foot runway to 5,400 feet. The work is designed to ensure the future of commercial and private air service on the Island. The FAA approved the plan last fall. Tree clearing has already begun.
At nightfall, there are as many animal and bird sounds as one would hear in a jungle. The piercing, forlorn cries of a chuck-will's-widow mingle with the songs of tree frogs, the background noise of crickets, the occasional roar of a bull alligator and an owl's hoot. The chuck-will's-widow's relentless, shrill cries are often mistaken for those of the whip-poor-will but whip-poor-wills seldom visit this still-wild place.
When you live on an Island, you learn to co-exist with nature's creatures: deer, raccoons, the occasional snake, exotic bird life (consider the tall, handsome blue heron which is actually gray), elegant white egrets dressed in exquisite plumage for the mating season; ospreys, bald eagles and of course, the prehistoric alligator.
Recently a 13 foot alligator had to be removed from a large lagoon bordering a public park. The creature had snapped up an errant soccer ball that landed in the lagoon. The soccer ball was lodged in the jaws of the gator, which, in the end, could not be relocated so it subsequently was dispatched to wherever it is that only alligators go. The following is what was found in the creature's stomach: two turtles, a 4-foot alligator, 48 rocks, 53 fishing lures, 2 baseballs, 1 tennis ball, a half-pound of lead sinkers, two other partially digested balls and one beer can. Occasionally a homeowner will find a small gator taking a swim in the family pool, at which time the wildlife officer is called.
Hilton Head is flooded with a tsunami of visitors this summer, happily building sandcastles on the beach, riding bike trails that crisscross the Island, lobbing tennis balls, hitting golf balls, sailing while porpoises trail the boats, crabbing, visiting the Indian Shell Ring that was built 4,000 years ago in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, eating watermelon - storing never to be forgotten memories of an Island vacation with friends and family.
In the real world of business and real estate activity, our market is recovering quicker than most in the national marketplace. As inventory is declining with short sales and foreclosures being cleared out, there are positive trends such as 77 homes in Sea Pines selling so far this year with an average price of $1,009,007 compared to $863,867 in 2011. Five oceanfront homes have sold, impacting the average price. As mentioned in my blog last month, the upper end of the market is selling again and for a couple of months now, agents have been getting multiple offers on desirable properties, the result of a more balanced market. Appraisers are still often having problems matching value to comparable selling prices as the market keeps moving, resulting in a determined buyer who knows what he wants making a larger down payment if necessary and walking away with the property at a good price and low interest mortgage payments.
Over the years, Hilton Head Island has benefited from The Town of Hilton Head purchasing around 1,100 acres of land on the Island, keeping it from commercial development. Currently, the Island is benefiting from the major infusion of capital improvements and redevelopment at Shelter Cove, Park Plaza, Coligny Plaza and Sea Pines Center. Beaufort County signed off on the Hilton Head Island's Airport expansion project. The master plan calls for a two-phased extension of the 4,300-foot runway to 5,400 feet. The work is designed to ensure the future of commercial and private air service on the Island. The FAA approved the plan last fall. Tree clearing has already begun.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
HILTON HEAD ISLAND - AN OASIS OF PEACE
A world-traveling couple I sold a home to several years ago once called Hilton Head Island "a Garden of Eden - an oasis of peace." They still travel the world but Hilton Head is home.
Our barrier island has truly been a Garden of Eden this spring. The whole area has erupted in masses of color from blooming azaleas, yellow Carolina Jasmine (the white Confederate Jasmine will come later), wisteria, dogwood - every imaginable variety of blooming plants, shrubs, trees and vines.
As varied, colorful and interesting as the plants are the people who live here, have lived here, visit here, and are drawn to the natural beauty of the island. One of my favorites is Mary Edna Fraser, a creative artist whom I've known since she began to take off in her career, a spirited girl who flew in her family's vintage 1947 propeller plane gathering inspiration from an aerial perspective for what would become her internationally recognized, stunning silk batiks. That was before she had the first-ever one-woman exhibit at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. She has exhibited all over the world. She has been called an environmental artist and has a deep spiritual connection with nature and environmental concerns which are the focus of many of her large batiks.
The process used on silk batik is precise and complicated. It is not for the faint of heart, nor is there room for error. One mistake and the piece is ruined. Currently Mary Edna is working on silk sails that are 21-feet tall! This is a commissioned piece for a museum.
Batik is a dye-resistant process in which removable wax is applied to fabric, creating areas that will repel dye, while any unwaxed areas will absorb dye. This technique of dying textiles is a traditional craft in Malaysia, India, China, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Japan, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Singapore, Senegal and Indonesia. The word "batik" originated in Java, Indonesia where the process predates written records.
She has collaborated on books with the highly regarded Orrin H. Pilkey, the James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of Geology at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University in North Carolina. He is an internationally recognized expert on the geology of barrier islands. He and his son Keith's book, "Global Climate Change," accompanied by Mary Edna's stunning batiks, describes global change and its effects. Another collaboration with Pilkey is "A Celebration of the World's Barrier Islands." If you would enjoy seeing some beautiful, intricate work, go to : http://www.maryedna.com/.
Our local real estate environment is incredibly attractive right now. With stronger sales and a more limited inventory, interest rates are still low and we're seeing multiple offers being presented on various properties. Sales are generally within 5-7% of the asking price. The market is turning and when that happens inventory can go down very quickly and prices begin to edge up. Closed sales are already up around 12% over this time last year. There isn't as much product on the market as there was. Have you missed the buyer's market?
Diann Wilkinson
Our barrier island has truly been a Garden of Eden this spring. The whole area has erupted in masses of color from blooming azaleas, yellow Carolina Jasmine (the white Confederate Jasmine will come later), wisteria, dogwood - every imaginable variety of blooming plants, shrubs, trees and vines.
As varied, colorful and interesting as the plants are the people who live here, have lived here, visit here, and are drawn to the natural beauty of the island. One of my favorites is Mary Edna Fraser, a creative artist whom I've known since she began to take off in her career, a spirited girl who flew in her family's vintage 1947 propeller plane gathering inspiration from an aerial perspective for what would become her internationally recognized, stunning silk batiks. That was before she had the first-ever one-woman exhibit at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. She has exhibited all over the world. She has been called an environmental artist and has a deep spiritual connection with nature and environmental concerns which are the focus of many of her large batiks.
The process used on silk batik is precise and complicated. It is not for the faint of heart, nor is there room for error. One mistake and the piece is ruined. Currently Mary Edna is working on silk sails that are 21-feet tall! This is a commissioned piece for a museum.
Batik is a dye-resistant process in which removable wax is applied to fabric, creating areas that will repel dye, while any unwaxed areas will absorb dye. This technique of dying textiles is a traditional craft in Malaysia, India, China, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Japan, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Singapore, Senegal and Indonesia. The word "batik" originated in Java, Indonesia where the process predates written records.
She has collaborated on books with the highly regarded Orrin H. Pilkey, the James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of Geology at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University in North Carolina. He is an internationally recognized expert on the geology of barrier islands. He and his son Keith's book, "Global Climate Change," accompanied by Mary Edna's stunning batiks, describes global change and its effects. Another collaboration with Pilkey is "A Celebration of the World's Barrier Islands." If you would enjoy seeing some beautiful, intricate work, go to : http://www.maryedna.com/.
Our local real estate environment is incredibly attractive right now. With stronger sales and a more limited inventory, interest rates are still low and we're seeing multiple offers being presented on various properties. Sales are generally within 5-7% of the asking price. The market is turning and when that happens inventory can go down very quickly and prices begin to edge up. Closed sales are already up around 12% over this time last year. There isn't as much product on the market as there was. Have you missed the buyer's market?
Diann Wilkinson
Sunday, February 26, 2012
AN ABSOLUTELY ALL-AMERICAN TENNIS CHAMPION
has lived on Hilton Head Island for most of his adult life. He's the kind of American who makes you feel proud when you see him: tall, imposing, there is a certain aura of strength and purpose surrounding him. You see it when he walks into a room - head and shoulders above everyone else. His name is Stan Smith.
He came to Hilton Head from California in 1971 at the invitation of Charles Fraser, the founder of Sea Pines, who wanted tennis to capture a more prominent position in the resort. Except for a few years at Amelia Island he has been here ever since. He dominated tennis in the early 1970s when he won the U.S. Open in 1971 and Wimbledon in 1972. he represented the USA in the Davis Cup for 10 years, helping to win the coveted championship seven times. He has been the Touring Pro for Sea Pines for 41 years!
Over the years he has won 39 singles titles, 61 doubles crowns, was the number one player in the world in 1971 and 1972, and was the United States'top ranked player in 1969, 1971, 1972 and 1973. He won the 35-and-over title at Wimbledon in 1984, 1985 and at the U.S. Open in 1984. He won the 55-and-over title at the U.S. Open in 2002 and 2004. He was the coach of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team in Sidney, australia and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1986. he was Director of Coaching for the USTA Player Development Program from 1986-1994 and was the Associate Director of Player Development from 1995-1998. Stan and his wife Margie reside on Hilton Head and have four children.
Part of the pleasure of living on Hilton Head is seeing such nationally and internationally recognized figures who blend into the community and contribute to it. Some are just passing through. In earlier days Jackie Gleason would be aboard his yacht, moored in Harbour Town for an island visit. Each late afternoon he would appear, dressed in crisp white slacks, wearing a navy blazer, cocktail in hand taking a stroll around the quay. He was a friendly fellow who enjoyed a short chat with anyone who recognized him. Joseph E. Levine was a quieter type, not interested in socializing.
Gary Moore of television fame lived here then. Occasionally his friend Walter Cronkite would moor his boat in Harbour Town. Gary kept a small, one-man tugboat named "Little Toot" that he liked to ramble around Calibogue Sound in. He was always agreeable to contributing to the community in any way that he could. He was a sweet person with a wonderful smile.
ISLANDERS ARE GEARING UP FOR THE RBC HERITAGE which will be held April 9-15 at Harbour Town golf Links. Five major PGA Tour winners have committed to play in the event: Ernie Els, John Daly, Padraig Harrington, Justin Leonard and Lee Jansen will join former Heritage winners Stewart Clink, Glen Day, Brian Gay, Jim Furyk, Boo Weekley and defending champ Brandt Snedeker. The entire group will be shooting for a top prize of slightly more than $1 million from a total purse of $5.7 million.
MORE REAL ESTATE SALES. . .We're seeing increasing interest in real estate. Our real estate sales are the highest in the state of South Carolina. Our area had the most improved real estate market in the state of South Carolina during 2011 with an increase of 9/4% over 2010 and a 15.4% increase in properties going under contract, which was more than double the rest of South Carolina's real estate regions. People enjoy our relaxed, Lowcountry living. A good selection and low interest rates are a perfect combination!
Diann Wilkinson
He came to Hilton Head from California in 1971 at the invitation of Charles Fraser, the founder of Sea Pines, who wanted tennis to capture a more prominent position in the resort. Except for a few years at Amelia Island he has been here ever since. He dominated tennis in the early 1970s when he won the U.S. Open in 1971 and Wimbledon in 1972. he represented the USA in the Davis Cup for 10 years, helping to win the coveted championship seven times. He has been the Touring Pro for Sea Pines for 41 years!
Over the years he has won 39 singles titles, 61 doubles crowns, was the number one player in the world in 1971 and 1972, and was the United States'top ranked player in 1969, 1971, 1972 and 1973. He won the 35-and-over title at Wimbledon in 1984, 1985 and at the U.S. Open in 1984. He won the 55-and-over title at the U.S. Open in 2002 and 2004. He was the coach of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team in Sidney, australia and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1986. he was Director of Coaching for the USTA Player Development Program from 1986-1994 and was the Associate Director of Player Development from 1995-1998. Stan and his wife Margie reside on Hilton Head and have four children.
Part of the pleasure of living on Hilton Head is seeing such nationally and internationally recognized figures who blend into the community and contribute to it. Some are just passing through. In earlier days Jackie Gleason would be aboard his yacht, moored in Harbour Town for an island visit. Each late afternoon he would appear, dressed in crisp white slacks, wearing a navy blazer, cocktail in hand taking a stroll around the quay. He was a friendly fellow who enjoyed a short chat with anyone who recognized him. Joseph E. Levine was a quieter type, not interested in socializing.
Gary Moore of television fame lived here then. Occasionally his friend Walter Cronkite would moor his boat in Harbour Town. Gary kept a small, one-man tugboat named "Little Toot" that he liked to ramble around Calibogue Sound in. He was always agreeable to contributing to the community in any way that he could. He was a sweet person with a wonderful smile.
ISLANDERS ARE GEARING UP FOR THE RBC HERITAGE which will be held April 9-15 at Harbour Town golf Links. Five major PGA Tour winners have committed to play in the event: Ernie Els, John Daly, Padraig Harrington, Justin Leonard and Lee Jansen will join former Heritage winners Stewart Clink, Glen Day, Brian Gay, Jim Furyk, Boo Weekley and defending champ Brandt Snedeker. The entire group will be shooting for a top prize of slightly more than $1 million from a total purse of $5.7 million.
MORE REAL ESTATE SALES. . .We're seeing increasing interest in real estate. Our real estate sales are the highest in the state of South Carolina. Our area had the most improved real estate market in the state of South Carolina during 2011 with an increase of 9/4% over 2010 and a 15.4% increase in properties going under contract, which was more than double the rest of South Carolina's real estate regions. People enjoy our relaxed, Lowcountry living. A good selection and low interest rates are a perfect combination!
Diann Wilkinson
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