Real Estate is usually one of  people’s most valuable asset. 

When someone goes in to have heart surgery, they interview many doctors to get the best of the best.  People should have the same attitude when they are trying to get their Hilton Head property sold – they should be looking out for their best interest when trying to get their property sold.

Monday morning, two comparable properties had been reduced in price and the pricing that had been determined on Friday that was correct, was now in fact incorrect.  It was hard to believe that she was right on Friday and wrong on Monday. 

We had to step back and realize that all markets, especially the real estate market, changes from day to day. 

I once had a client who owned a lot in Sea Pines Plantation.  He called to get an updated market analysis on his property and I told him that the lot was worth $600,000. 

Six months later I heard from my client; he was so excited because he had someone offer him $600,000 for his lot and he had signed a contract.  I then told him that his lot at this point was actually worth somewhere around $700,000.  My client was distraught because I had previously told him that his lot was worth $600,000. 

Again, the market changes from day to day.  This is why I think it is important to consult your Realtor regularly as to the value of your property.  Remember, you can be right on Friday and wrong on Monday.

I recently went to list a 2nd row ocean home in Sea Pines Plantation.  When the homeowner told me what they thought their home was worth I was shocked.  I went on to tell them that oceanfront homes similar to theirs had not sold for that price. 

They came back and said that being 2nd row was better because you did not have people in your backyard all the time. 

I understand that this might be what they prefer, but it does not change the market. 

It is kind of like if you wanted to sell your Mercedes for more than a Bentley.  Just because you might like your Mercedes more, this does not mean that it is worth more than a Bentley. 

In my 29 years of selling real estate on Hilton Head I have learned that everyone has their opinion – but again, these opinions don’t always alter the market.

That is the attitude that most agents have – even if they have only been in the business 5 years.   

The reason I have a real estate coach is because I try to be a better real estate agent every day – better than I was the day before.  I’m always trying to figure out new ways to be more effective in helping my clients. 

It amazes me that so many Realtors never do anything different than the way they have been doing it their entire life – which is usually the kiss of death. 

I have a call once a week with a Realtor in Chicago – we share ideas of things we are doing.  Life is like an elevator – you are either going up or down – I want to make sure that I’m always learning more and on my way up.

Click here for more details and to see a full schedule of events this week or visit the Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce.

Timing is everything in real estate, but the most important thing is to buy when you find the property you are looking for at a price you think is a good price.  Does that mean you might purchase a villa and it go down $10,000 in value – yes, that could possibly happen.  But you never know.

At least once a week I talk to someone who says that they should have sold in 2005, but the market was so strong that they thought they would wait another year – that was a big mistake. 

The most important thing is to buy when you are ready to buy and sell when you are ready to sell and don’t try to second guess the market.  I’ve been in real estate for almost 30 years and I’m not very successful at 2nd guessing the market.

Marsh tackies are a breed of horse indigenous to the area.  Races will be held Sunday, February 28th at the Coligny Beach area from 1pm-3pm. 

Click here for more information on the Marsh Tacky Race this weekend. 

By asking this question, we can get a good idea of where it is in value because we understand what has happened to property values.

I keep a chart in my office that shows property appreciation/depreciation percentages each year since 1990. 

By asking what year someone purchased real estate and what they paid for their property, I can give a good estimate of what their property is worth. 

What it is worth to you as a seller may not be what it is worth on the market.  I often tell people that a property’s worth has a lot to do with the way you use it and the value it is to you and your family.

There has also been discussion of incentives to recycle – offering Hilton Head Island residents rewards for recycling. 

If this plan goes into effect, curbside recycling could be available as early as September. 

*Information courtesy of The Island Packet 

People love Hilton Head Island so much.

I was talking to a client from Cincinnati yesterday and I apologized for the rainy weather.  They immediately stopped me and said that they were relieved by the rain because they had come from 23 inches of snow in Ohio. 

We are so lucky to live in our corner of paradise – rain is better than snow any day.