Hilton Head Monthly Voice Voice of the Lowcountry 
STAGING EXPERTS CAN MAKE YOUR HOUSE LOOK LIKE A HOME TO BUYERS
Preparing your house for sale can be an intimidating task, especially if you have spent years filling your space with personal decorations, memorabilia and furniture. If the thought of sorting through it all is overwhelming, area professionals offer home staging services that create fresh and inviting spaces and ensure your home is ready for the market.
VILLAGE PARK HOMES TO BUILD 2018 ST JUDE DREAM HOME
Village Park Homes of Bluffton based homebuilder has been chosen to build the 2018 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway in Richmond Hill, Ga. The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway is a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To date, more than 450 homes have been given away and the program has raised more than $378 million. The two-story, 3,800-square foot home will be built in The Commons neighborhood in Richmond Hill. Tickets for the home giveaway cost $100 and will be available starting in April. Only 6,500 tickets will be sold. The winning ticket will be drawn on live television on July 27, 2018 on WSAV.
CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON NEW TECHNOLOGY
More than 400 Realtors attended the South Carolina Realtors 2017 annual conference and expo Aug. 30 and Sept. 1 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville. Realtor members learned about topics including the use of drones for the real estate industry, home security systems and virtual reality tours. The conference also included a 26-booth trade show. The SCR board of directors also met at the conference to approve a new strategic plan and swear in new leaders, including 2017 incoming SCR president Laura Derrick, a Realtor at Coldwell Banker United in Columbia.
DIAMOND REALTY JOINS CENTURY 21, ADDS JOHNSON
Diamond Realty is now affiliated with Century 21 and will now be known as Century 21 Diamond Realty. The affiliation will offer the sales organization training, technology and an integrated national and international marketing platform. Bob Diamond continues to serve as the broker-in-charge.
Also, Diamond Realty has added Marlee Johnson as a real estate agent. She is a native of Illinois, a graduate of Western Illinois University, and also a certified nutrition counselor.
Let property management companies handle the details of rental properties
Whether you love the beach, golf or other amenities of the Lowcountry, owning rental property here can be a way to enjoy your investment while its value grows. A shortage of available rental properties means the rental market is hot right now, and prices for homes and villas in many communities are on the rise. Even if you don’t live here full time, as a Lowcountry property owner you can take advantage of beach parks built just for you and enjoy discounts on golf, retail and restaurants. Your property can be a place to create long-lasting memories for years to come, and it could become your future retirement home.
Coastal Signature Homes aids local family
The Coastal Signature Homes team recently organized a fundraiser in support of a local family welcoming their child born with Spina Bifida. With the help of the Bluffton community, the event raised over $11,000 for Luis and Mercedes Calderon and their new baby, Ellis, to help with ongoing expenses.
Employees of the local custom homebuilder wanted to lend a helping hand when they learned that Luis Calderon, an employee of Stromer Plumbing - one of the builder’s most trusted and valued trade partners - was facing a challenging personal difficulty.
Lowcountry Realtors are waiting to help you buy or sell
When searching for a real estate professional, it’s helpful to start your search by talking with family or friends. People you know and trust who have used a real estate professional in the past often can provide recommendations. Once you’ve developed a list of possibilities, it’s a good idea to interview more than one real estate professional and get to know them by asking questions. You want to be confident you will have a good rapport with your Realtor.
LOWCOUNTRY REAL ESTATE DELEGATION VISITS D.C.
Led by Daniel Moskowitz, president of Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors, a delegation representing the local real estate industry met with lawmakers in Washington the week of May 15. Moskowitz, four other Hilton Head Area Realtors, and Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors officials Jocelyn Staigar and Jean Beck met with Senator Tim Scott, Senator Lindsey Graham and Congressman Mark Sanford to discuss issues affecting homebuyers and consumers of commercial real estate.
The group stressed the need for a multi-year reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program, which expires Sept. 30. Additionally, the Realtors advocated for tax reform, responsible reform of the secondary mortgage market, prohibiting the use of guarantee fees for any purposes other than creditrisk management, and improving consumer protections for energyefficiency improvement loans. The real estate industry maintains that federal tax reform should not include elimination of the mortgage interest deduction.
THINK OF YOUR HOME AS A PRODUCT TO BE MARKETED AND SOLD
Everyone selling a home wants a quick sale at a good price. It’s not luck that makes this happen. Advance planning and knowing how to professionally prep your home can lead to a higher sale price and fewer days on the market. Here are some ways sellers can increase their odds:
Island life is a different kind of living. The relaxed pace, natural environment, and consistent ocean breeze keep residents here and entice tourists from all around the world. While the easy feel of island life in Lowcountry neighborhoods might seem like it just fell into place; it’s actually a result of careful planning.
