Archive for the ‘Sales Stories’ Category

And Hilton Head Loves Canadians 

 Hilton Head Island is among the most popular American destinations for Canadians, the largest group of foreign nationals who visit Hilton Head Island each year.  Canadians buy more real estate on Hilton Head Island than any other international buyers.  

This winter, Canadians are expected to visit Hilton Head Island in record numbers and enjoy our average winter temperature of 61 degrees.  (In Canada, the average temperature in winter is below zero degrees).  There are  other good reasons why Canadians like to vacation on Hilton Head Island in winter instead of Florida:

1. low prices for accommodations and golf
2. great golf all winter long
3. great shopping and dining
4. the beach, great for walking in winter
5. rest and relaxation
6. Southern hospitality is always good.
7. Canadians want to avoid issues of living and owning in Florida that Hilton Head Island does not have.  
8. Canadians know other Canadians who own property in Florida and want to move here now.
9. The term ‘half-back’ applies to many Canadians too, not just Americans who prefer a shorter trip south.  
10. The Royal Bank of Canada has a branch on Hilton Head Island. 

Royal Bank of Canada South Carolina Mortgage Manager Charlie Sides told the Go Gated Blog:  ” In 2009 and 2010 the largest segment of international buyers will come from Canada.   With the exchange rate at historical highs vs the dollar, Canadians believe that this is the time to buy”. 

Visitors to Hilton Head Island in winter enjoy off-season prices for accomodations and golf and an average winter temperature of 61 degrees.

In Canada, The Real Estate Buying Process Is Different

1. Canadians are more debt adverse than Americans.  They like smaller loans of shorter duration.
2. Americans take 3-5 weeks to close; in Canada it takes 3-5 days!
3. Americans are used to 2-3% in closings costs; Canadians typically pay 1-1.5%.
4. Americans rarely pay re-payment penalties; Canadians expect pre-payment penalties.
5. Adjustable mortgages are typically not converted to fixed rate mortgages or assumed in the US; in Canada they can be converted and assumed.
6. Americans are required to submit extensive documentation for loans; Canadians have comparatively simple documentation.
7. Canadians like full service.
8. Canadians don’t like to be sold.  They enjoy using trusted advisers and referrals. 

The Royal Bank of Canada on Hilton Head Island (RBC)

The Royal Bank of Canada on Hilton Head Island is located at the Sea Pines Circle on Pope Avenue, right across the street from Go Gated Realty.

• RBC is a Canadian Bank and an American subsidiary.  They see it as their job to facilitate lending.  RBC has a conduit that goes across the border.
• RBC is one of only two triple A banks operating in the United States today. 
• RBC has 10 branches in the State of South Carolina and 1 of these is on Hilton Head Island. 
• The RBC has a 33% market share and the most recognizable brand in Canada. 
• RBC is consistently voted as the best service company in Canada.  
• Canadians who visit Hilton Head Island have probably already banked with RBC in Canada. 

The Royal Bank of Canada on Hilton Head Island Helps Canadians feel good about buying property here.

• Canadians know that they can secure finance when they come to
• Hilton Head Island. 
• Canadians can use their Canadian credit reports
• The RBC is familiar  with doing business with Canadians
• Provide a referral to lawyers as needed who are familiar with Canadian tax issues. 
• Provide an easy foreign exchange for Canadians on Hilton Head Island.

Richard Kadesch, Your Trusted  Real Estate Advisor On Hilton Head Island

Whether Canadian or American, you want outstanding service from an experienced agent who listens to your needs and has advice that you can rely on.  Please consider me as your trusted real estate advisor here on Hilton Head Island with 34 years of real estate experience and many satisfied clients.   My office, Go Gated Realty is located at the Sea Pines Circle on Hilton Head Island, directly across the street from the Royal Bank of Canada.  Please stop by when you are here this winter.  Even before you visit, please email or call to discuss your real estate needs.   My cell phone is 843-684-2933.

Richard Kadesch, Owner and Broker-in-Charge The Gated Community Specialist ® Go Gated Realty ® Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Rich@gogated.com www.GoGated.com 1-800-333-5025 Read Some of My Clients’ Success Stories

Sold Unfurnished Near The Beach For $72,500

Bargains seem to be everywhere today and at all prices.  Of course, we all want a luxury bargain on Hilton Head Island and to get one, why not buy an inexpensive property and fix it up to be as luxurious as you want?  You can buy a one-bedroom ocean view condo on Hilton Head Island today from about $100,000 and a two-bedroom ocean view condo from about $140,000.  Others near the beach and without ocean views cost less than $100,000.

I have fixed up an inexpensive condo myself and this is one reason that I can recommend it to you.  Years ago, I bought a bargain ocean view condo at the Hilton Head Resort, fixed it up, rented it out and even moved into it for awhile.   When I built the house where I live now, I sold the villa and made a good profit.  I made and saved money on that inexpensive villa and when I lived there beneath my means and invested the money that I saved elsewhere.   You may not want to rule out this option because it is there if you want it:  small but good, inexpensive, practical, comfortable - and fun!  

Use The Go Gated Buyer’s Advantage™ 

One of my buyer-clients went this economy route recently and bought a super-bargain at the Hilton Head Resort with the help of The Go Gated Buyer’s Advantage™ system.  I highly recommend this system to any serious buyer and to get it, please contact me.  There’s no cost or obligation and it can be worth thousands of dollars to you. 

After my client visited Hilton Head Island and saw the villas that he wanted to see, he went home and monitored the market – for months.  He wanted an economy villa near the beach with two bedrooms.  While he was here, he saw one at the Hilton Head Resort for $99,000 that he liked a lot, a short sale that had been purchased for about $155,000 by the seller at the top of the market in 2006. 

Then one day my buyer called to say that the villa that he saw when he was here had been re-listed as a foreclosure @ $65,000.  We agreed that it was priced very low and we immediately made an offer.  My client out-bid five other buyers and he got the villa for $72,500, cash.   The buyer used funds from his retirement account to make this purchase and the villa is now in his retirement account.  Very cool!

Three Reasons Why This Villa Was Under-Priced

• The location within the Hilton Head Resort is close to the beach.
• The floor plan has a private balcony that some other villas at the Hilton Head Resort do not have.
• The villa had many expensive upgrades like a tiled floors, tiled showers, new bathroom cabinets and fixtures, new kitchen cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and a clothes washer and dryer.  

 Teamwork With Buyer And Agent Means Success

My buyer did his homework and took the time to get a focus on what he wanted.  His determination and my help combined for our success.  This is an example of another super-bargain that will be hard to beat anytime soon and maybe never, despite the fact that the market continues sideways to down and even as other foreclosures come available – and others are still available.  Some deals are just this good. 

Have Fun and Save Money: Fix Up An Inexpensive Condo Near The Beach

At closing, the buyer came to Hilton Head Island, bought great rental furniture locally and made this  economy villa into a comfortable second home.  I don’t know what they paid for the furniture but it was surely less than $5,000 total and so their total cost including furniture must be less than $80,000! 

I took pictures of the newly furnished villa just a few days ago.  This is clearly a super-bargain.  It’s not in Sea Pines but it is next to Palmetto Dunes and with direct walking access to the beach.  The recreational amenities at the Hilton Head Resort where this villa is located include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, racketball courts, spa, exercise center and indoor track.  There is under-building parking, a wi-fi zone in indoor building three and a 24-hour manned security gate. 

For A Super-Bargain, Call Go Gated Realty® 

You don’t have to break the bank to have a second home or vacation villa on Hilton Head Island.   Good ones are for sale for less than $100,000 right now and am happy to show them to you by email or in person at any time.  For more information about the Hilton Head lifestyle on a economy budget and to discuss your real estate plans for Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, please call me, the Hilton Head Gated Communities Specialist® today!  My cell number is 843-684-2933.

Richard Kadesch, Owner and Broker-in-Charge The Gated Community Specialist ® Go Gated Realty ® Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Rich@gogated.com www.GoGated.com 1-800-333-5025 Read Some of My Clients’ Success Stories

Hilton Head Real Estate Buyers are Finding Bargains Every Day

Prices have come way down, interest rates are low and there is a large inventory of properties offering an outstanding selection to thequalified buyer.  Active buyers know that the future of Hilton Head real estate is bright and now is the time to buy.  They have been watching the market, making offers and finding bargains every day.     

Hilton Head real estate prices have fallen below levels that many of us expected.  This is the time to find bargains.

 We Will Not See Lower Interest Rates 

To wait for lower interest rates does not make sense any more.  The Federal Reserve has finished cutting interest rates and they will probably be higher in the future.  The cost of real estate will effectivly be higher as the cost of money increases even if prices remain the same or go a bit lower.  Anyone who expects lower prices should find a well-priced property as soon as possible and  then negotiate a lower purchase price.  The help of a good Buyer’s Agent is key.  Please call me, the Gated Communities Specialist  ® to find the property you want and for service you can trust.      

Hilton Head Real Estate is At or Near the Bottom     

Many economists have been quoted by the Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal as saying that we are at or near the bottom.  Popular finance columnist Suzy Orman said in her column on April 21: "This could be the time to buy a house.  While today’s market is not without risk, it offers a sweet spot of opportunity.”   On April 14, 2008 The Associated Press reported that 59% of the people they interviewed said that this is a good time to buy real estate and 40% believe that home prices will rise soon.  

South Carolina has been among the best states for home appreciation in the country and among the lowest foreclsoure rates. Foreclosures do not come close to characterizing our market but the few that we have are listed by banks with agents of the Multiple Listing Service.  They may or may not be your best buy.   The way to get a bargain is to work with your Agent who can help you find and purchase one. 

Now is The Time of Maximum Opportunity     

Prices reached their higest level in mid-2005 which was the time of maximum risk for buyers.  Prices have fallen to where they are today which is the time of maximum opportunity for buyers.  You won’t find fast profits in today’s real estate market, but if you intend to own property for at least a few years, this is an excellent time to buy. There are bargains in all segments of the market on Hilton Head Island at this time.  Please call or write to discuss your interests today!