In a recent article published by RISMEDIA, dated October 29, 2009, they report “The Senate has reached a compromise on extending and expanding the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers, a boost the housing industry believes will help it pull out of its two-year-old downturn”.  “This is great news for those who are looking to make their first time purchase”, says Matt Houle agent/owner of Exit Realty of Hilton Head.  “I know of a number of first time buyers who were rushing to take advantage of this program and now they can breathe a bit easier and take a little more time to pick out the perfect home.  Some of these buyers are targeting Hilton Head Plantation due to the many attractive prices, selection and location”, says Houle.

Hilton Head Island, SC Real Estate, Exit Realty
Exit Realty of Hilton Head is your local expert for all your Real Estate needs in Hilton Head Island and greater Bluffton, including the area’s Plantations: Sea Pines, Hilton Head Plantation, Long Cove, Wexford, Shipyard, Palmetto Dunes, Port Royal, Indigo Run, Palmetto Hall, Windmill Harbour, Spanish Wells, Moss Creek, Colleton River, Belfair, Rose Hill, Berkeley Hall, Hampton Hall, Hampton Lake, Sun City, Hilton Head Lakes, Oldfield, Hampton Pointe, and Palmetto Bluff. Put us to work for you; our service will impress you! (843-422-4432).

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist recently report through RISMedia, “the (real estate sales) projections are enhanced by a tax credit expansion to more home buyers through the middle of 2010.  Given the success of the first-time buyer tax credit to date, and the need for qualified buyers to continue to absorb inventory that will include additional foreclosures over the coming year, we are hopeful about the impact of the expanded tax credit because it will stabilize home prices,” he said. “In fact, the credit is working better than first projected – it now looks like we’ll have 2.3 to 2.4 million first-time buyers this year.”

“We are seeing evidence of this trend every week in both Hilton Head and the Bluffton areas”, says Matt Houle, agent/owner of Exit Realty of Hilton Head.  “In fact in the month of October 2009 alone there were 34 sales in the Bluffton area and 35 on Hilton Head Island.  Many of these purchases reflect the national trend for first time home buyers, include those made in Hilton Head Plantation.  Each week we receive many calls and email inquires about first time home buyer opportunities.  It is clear that several people want to take advantage of the tax credit and participate in the best priced market this area has seen in several years”, says Houle.  You can read the entire RISMedia article here.

Hilton Head Island, SC Real Estate, Exit Realty
Exit Realty of Hilton Head is your local expert for all your Real Estate needs in Hilton Head Island and greater Bluffton, including the area’s Plantations: Sea Pines, Hilton Head Plantation, Long Cove, Wexford, Shipyard, Palmetto Dunes, Port Royal, Indigo Run, Palmetto Hall, Windmill Harbour, Spanish Wells, Moss Creek, Colleton River, Belfair, Rose Hill, Berkeley Hall, Hampton Hall, Hampton Lake, Sun City, Hilton Head Lakes, Oldfield, Hampton Pointe, and Palmetto Bluff. Put us to work for you; our service will impress you! (843-422-4432).

Home Improvements Hold True For
Hilton Head Plantation

In a recent article published by RISMedia, “According to the HomeGain survey, the top five home improvements that Realtors recommend to home sellers based on cost and return on investment (from highest to lowest ROI) are:

1. Cleaning and de-cluttering ($200 cost / $1,700 price increase / 872% ROI)
2. Home staging ($300 cost / $1,780 price increase / 586% ROI)
3. Lightening and brightening ($230 cost / $1,300 price increase / 572% ROI)
4. Landscaping ($320 cost / $1,500 price increase / 473% ROI)
5. Repairing plumbing ($385 cost / $1,250 price increase / 327% ROI)”

“This is true”, says Matt Houle agent/owner of Exit Realty of Hilton Head.  There have been many instances where I have seen homes, most recently in Hilton Head Plantation, that prior to entering the market, get a fresh look and cleaned up appearance.  This goes a long way to attract buyers and instill a good first impression.    Anything that you can do to make your home more appealing to the buyer is usually worth it, as long as it is not to expensive.   A good rule of thumb to follow is to ask yourself – what changes, fixes or updating would appeal to you if you were the buyer”, says Houle. You can read the entire RISMedia article here.

Hilton Head Island, SC Real Estate, Exit Realty
Exit Realty of Hilton Head is your local expert for all your Real Estate needs in Hilton Head Island and greater Bluffton, including the area’s Plantations: Sea Pines, Hilton Head Plantation, Long Cove, Wexford, Shipyard, Palmetto Dunes, Port Royal, Indigo Run, Palmetto Hall, Windmill Harbour, Spanish Wells, Moss Creek, Colleton River, Belfair, Rose Hill, Berkeley Hall, Hampton Hall, Hampton Lake, Sun City, Hilton Head Lakes, Oldfield, Hampton Pointe, and Palmetto Bluff. Put us to work for you; our service will impress you! (843-422-4432).

According to a recent RISMedia articale published October 26, 2009, the news outlet states “In the South, existing-home sales rose 9.0% to an annual level of 2.06 million in September and are 10.8% higher than September 2008. The median price in the South was $153,500, down 7.6% from a year ago”.  “That is true”, says Matt Houle, agent/owner of Exit Realty of Hilton Head, “however in resort communities such as Hilton Head Island, we have been more protected than perhaps other areas of the South.  For example, Hilton Head Plantation has experienced an increase in existing home sales and the median price is actually 2% above where it was in October 2008.  This is good news for the overall area and in particular Hilton Head Island“, says Houle. Read more…

Hilton Head Island, SC Real Estate, Exit Realty
Exit Realty of Hilton Head is your local expert for all your Real Estate needs in Hilton Head Island and greater Bluffton, including the area’s Plantations: Sea Pines, Hilton Head Plantation, Long Cove, Wexford, Shipyard, Palmetto Dunes, Port Royal, Indigo Run, Palmetto Hall, Windmill Harbour, Spanish Wells, Moss Creek, Colleton River, Belfair, Rose Hill, Berkeley Hall, Hampton Hall, Hampton Lake, Sun City, Hilton Head Lakes, Oldfield, Hampton Pointe, and Palmetto Bluff. Put us to work for you; our service will impress you! (843-422-4432).

“According to statistics provided by a regional MLS service, Hilton Head Plantation for the month of September, lead in sales for the entire Hilton Head Island area”, says Matt Houle, agent/owner of Exit Realty of Hilton Head.  Houle continues, “based on the numbers that I am seeing, Hilton Head Plantation has outpaced other plantations by a wide margin.  For example, in the month of September there were 22 pending (under contract) transactions, 11 closed transactions with an average close price of $839,272.  The next closest plantation was Sea Pines with 9 pending and 6 closed transactions.  The sales activity for the remainder of Hilton Head had a respectable showing and if combined with Hilton Head Plantations activity, it suggests further strength in the market.”

Hilton Head Island, SC Real Estate, Exit Realty
Exit Realty of Hilton Head is your local expert for all your Real Estate needs in Hilton Head Island and greater Bluffton, including the area’s Plantations: Sea Pines, Hilton Head Plantation, Long Cove, Wexford, Shipyard, Palmetto Dunes, Port Royal, Indigo Run, Palmetto Hall, Windmill Harbour, Spanish Wells, Moss Creek, Colleton River, Belfair, Rose Hill, Berkeley Hall, Hampton Hall, Hampton Lake, Sun City, Hilton Head Lakes, Oldfield, Hampton Pointe, and Palmetto Bluff. Put us to work for you; our service will impress you! (843-422-4432).

According to a news release from RISMEDIA, October 7, 2009, “The environment will be one of the great challenges of the 21st century. Soon it will dominate virtually all aspects of life in North America—socially, politically and economically. Today’s great leaders and entrepreneurs must look at environmental problems as an opportunity to set themselves apart from the competition”, according to Steve Morris, Founder and CEO, EXIT Realty Corp. International.

“Steve makes a very good and timely point”, says Matt Houle, agent/owner of Exit Realty of Hilton Head.  “In fact, evidence of what Steve is saying can be found right here in the greater Hilton Head, area where several homes are being built with a ‘green’ emphasis.  The trend is clean, as more first time buyers are only considering homes built with environmentally friendly materials”, says Houle.  Want to read more click here.

Hilton Head Island, SC Real Estate, Exit Realty
Exit Realty of Hilton Head is your local expert for all your Real Estate needs in Hilton Head Island and greater Bluffton, including the area’s Plantations: Sea Pines, Hilton Head Plantation, Long Cove, Wexford, Shipyard, Palmetto Dunes, Port Royal, Indigo Run, Palmetto Hall, Windmill Harbour, Spanish Wells, Moss Creek, Colleton River, Belfair, Rose Hill, Berkeley Hall, Hampton Hall, Hampton Lake, Sun City, Hilton Head Lakes, Oldfield, Hampton Pointe, and Palmetto Bluff. Put us to work for you; our service will impress you! (843-422-4432).

Total Number of Home Listings
Down in Hilton Head Plantation
For August

In a recent article of RISMEDIA, dated  September 24, 2009,  “The number of homes for sale declined nearly 3% in August 2009, compared to July, and is down more than 23% compared to a year ago, according to a monthly local market survey of home listings based on Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data in 25 metropolitan markets conducted by the national real estate brokerage ZipRealty”.  Matt Houle, owner of Exit Realty of Hilton Head states, “the numbers reported by RISMEDIA are in keeping with the reduction of listings on Hilton Head Plantation.  In fact, based on the listing numbers found in June and July of this year, Hilton Head Plantation is currently down 25% from the early summer months.   Sales remain supportive and the decrease in inventory signals that the supply/demand curve may be showing signs of leveling out.  However, we still have a while to go in order to work off excess inventory, but this is encouraging data”, says Houle. Want to read more click here.

Hilton Head Island, SC Real Estate, Exit Realty
Exit Realty of Hilton Head is your local expert for all your Real Estate needs in Hilton Head Island and greater Bluffton, including the area’s Plantations: Sea Pines, Hilton Head Plantation, Long Cove, Wexford, Shipyard, Palmetto Dunes, Port Royal, Indigo Run, Palmetto Hall, Windmill Harbour, Spanish Wells, Moss Creek, Colleton River, Belfair, Rose Hill, Berkeley Hall, Hampton Hall, Hampton Lake, Sun City, Hilton Head Lakes, Oldfield, Hampton Pointe, and Palmetto Bluff. Put us to work for you; our service will impress you! (843-422-4432).

In a recent article by RISMedia stated, “The strong summer selling season in 2009 has led to a decreasing difference between the last listing price and final sale price, but most buyers are still getting some additional discount at selling time,” said Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Stan Humphries. “We expected list-to-sale price ratios to fall as the sales volume picked up during the summer, and the California markets are showing strong declines in the discount off the last listing price, relative to levels at the start of the year. This is fueled both by increased sales and high proportion of foreclosures re-sales, which are already priced relatively low”.

“This is also true for sales in Hilton Head Plantation“, says Matt Houle, agent/owner of Exit Realty of Hilton Head.  He continues, “the strong sales months of the summer saw an increase in buying activity, including a reduced last list price to sale price ratio.  Buyers are, of course still looking for deals, which in part is driving this tighter ratio since prices in many cases are already low.  I suspect we will continue to see this trend play out over the next several quarters as short sales and foreclosures continue to surface and buyers focus on the great values available”, says Houle. Want to read more click here.

Hilton Head Island, SC Real Estate, Exit Realty
Exit Realty of Hilton Head is your local expert for all your Real Estate needs in Hilton Head Island and greater Bluffton, including the area’s Plantations: Sea Pines, Hilton Head Plantation, Long Cove, Wexford, Shipyard, Palmetto Dunes, Port Royal, Indigo Run, Palmetto Hall, Windmill Harbour, Spanish Wells, Moss Creek, Colleton River, Belfair, Rose Hill, Berkeley Hall, Hampton Hall, Hampton Lake, Sun City, Hilton Head Lakes, Oldfield, Hampton Pointe, and Palmetto Bluff. Put us to work for you; our service will impress you! (843-422-4432).

In a recent article published by  RISMEDIA, September 9, 2009, states, “Point2 Technologies, Inc. has released its Real Estate Confidence Index (RECI) survey report for the month of August 2009. The RECI extended its upward move for the third consecutive month, but remained marginally in positive territory, recording a 5.9 reading at the national level on the Index scale of one to ten (1 being ‘Bad’ and 10 being ‘Good’). The August reading reflects a 5.4% improvement over July 2009 and a 21% increase over the June 2009 average”.

“That mirrors what is happening to a degree for home sales on Hilton Head Plantation“, according to Matt Houle, agent/owner of Exit Realty of Hilton Head. He continues, “however, the trend in Hilton Head Plantation appears to be even stronger than indicated by this report.  Based on recent sales and pending sales information provided by a local MLS service, the improvement in consumer sentiment is reflected in the 6^th straight month of increase sales and stabilization of prices”, says Houle.  Want to read more click here.

Hilton Head Island, SC Real Estate, Exit Realty
Exit Realty of Hilton Head is your local expert for all your Real Estate needs in Hilton Head Island and greater Bluffton, including the area’s Plantations: Sea Pines, Hilton Head Plantation, Long Cove, Wexford, Shipyard, Palmetto Dunes, Port Royal, Indigo Run, Palmetto Hall, Windmill Harbour, Spanish Wells, Moss Creek, Colleton River, Belfair, Rose Hill, Berkeley Hall, Hampton Hall, Hampton Lake, Sun City, Hilton Head Lakes, Oldfield, Hampton Pointe, and Palmetto Bluff. Put us to work for you; our service will impress you! (843-422-4432).

Hilton Head Plantation Real Estate
Continues To Excel In Sales

Hilton Head Plantation, located on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, continues to excel in sales, according to Matt Houle agent/owner of Exit Realty of Hilton Head.  “As evidenced by statistical reporting of a local MLS service, Hilton Head Plantation in the month of August 2009, outpaced all other plantations on Hilton Head in terms of actual closed transactions and pending (under contract) transactions.  The trend is clear that across the greater Hilton Head area, the market is stabilizing and buyers are re-entering the market to take advantage of the low home prices and the historically low interest rates”, says Houle.  “I am advising my clients that if they have plans to purchase, this is the year to do it.  The market is turning and prices will eventually start to rise”, says Houle.

Hilton Head Island, SC Real Estate, Exit Realty
Exit Realty of Hilton Head is your local expert for all your Real Estate needs in Hilton Head Island and greater Bluffton, including the area’s Plantations: Sea Pines, Hilton Head Plantation, Long Cove, Wexford, Shipyard, Palmetto Dunes, Port Royal, Indigo Run, Palmetto Hall, Windmill Harbour, Spanish Wells, Moss Creek, Colleton River, Belfair, Rose Hill, Berkeley Hall, Hampton Hall, Hampton Lake, Sun City, Hilton Head Lakes, Oldfield, Hampton Pointe, and Palmetto Bluff. Put us to work for you; our service will impress you! (843-422-4432).