Archive for February, 2009

The Town of Hilton Head Island has Renovated Mathews Drive and Built a new Traffic Circle at the Entrance to Woodlake Villas

The new security gates at Woodlake Villas on Hilton Head Island will close every evening and on weekends.

Woodlake is among the Island’s most popular economical residential communities with flats and townhouses priced from about $79,000, located mid-Island on Hilton Head Island on newly renovated Mathews Drive, across from Port Royal Plaza.  Woodlake Villas are each about 1,000 square feet with all ground level entrances.  Community features include:

• fitness center
• swimming pool
• playground
• tennis courts
• pets are allowed
• a short drive to the beach at Folly Field

At the same time that Woodlake owners were planning to install security gates to their community, the Town of Hilton Head Island was planning to renovate Mathews Drive.  When the Town purchased the land at the entrance to Woodlake to renovate, widen and beautify Mathews Drive, Woodlake owners were given the money to make their security gates a reality and it became clear that they should coordinate the new gates and the renovation of the entrance to Woodlake with the Town’s Mathews Drive project. 

The new Woodlake exit.  Cars leaving travel slowly and safely.

Now the Town’s Mathews Drive project is finished where Woodlake is located and Mathews Drive has two lanes divided by turning lanes and planted central islands, a traffic circle between the entrances to Woodlake Villas and Port Royal Plaza, raised walkways from Woodlake to Port Royal Plaza intended to slow traffic in the residential area and new walking paths along both sides of Mathews Drive.  These improvements to Mathews Drive at Woodlake give the road far more beauty than before the project and much safer for both drivers and pedestrians.  The improvements enhance the value of Woodlake Villas and vehicles enter and exit Woodlake much easier and safer than before. 

‘In House’ Installation Saved Money

Simultaneous to the Town’s Mathews Drive project,  the Woodlake Board renovated their entrance and

The pedestrian gate at Woodlake

installed their security gates.  In addition to the money the Town of Hilton Head Island paid to Woodlake owners for land at the entrance to Woodlake, the Board of Directors of Woodlake saved homeowners about $40,000 by installing the gates ‘in house’, including installing the phone and key system and not hiring outside contractors to do the gate installation.   

The Woodlake Security Gates Open Three Ways

The new Woodlake security gates will be open during week days but closed at nights and on weekends.  There are three ways to enter the gates at Woodlake when they are closed:  

1. A visitor can call a residence from a phone at the gate to open the gate. 
2. A card can be scanned.
3. A clicker can be used.

A new crosswalk on Mathews Drive. In the background a car rounds the traffic circle at the new entrance to Woodlake.

Cards are free.  Clickers cost about $40 each.  Cards can be activated and deactivated based on occupancy.  There are two cards per villa and $10 per additional card.   There is also a walkway along the entrance to the Woodlake to a pedestrian security gate that requires a card to enter. 

Woodlake May Attract More Owner-Occupants

Charlie Wetmore, President of Woodlake Board of Directors says that 22% of Woodlake Villas are owner-occupied and the others are rented by tenants.  Investors have purchased Woodlake villas over the years because they have traditionally rented well.  Wetmore hopes that the new security gates and other improvements will influence more people to purchase Woodlake Villas as their primary or second homes and not just as investment properties.  ”That will effect values more than anything”, he said.  “We believe that the new security gates and improvements to the entrance will make Woodlake more attractive to owner-occupants than in the past”. 

A Woodlake flat with fireplace.  Many Woodlake villas have a lake view

It is true that a Hilton Head gated community has benefits for its residents that non-gated communities do not have and that gated communities are perceived by the public to be more desirable  places to live.  For example, a second home owner who is not in residence for much of the year can know that their property is more secure in a gated community.  All residents should benefit when people who do not belong in the community cannot drive in anytime and cause a problem. 

Therefore, buyers seeking an economical primary residence, retirement residence, or second home as well as investors may want to consider a Woodlake Villa.  Prices start at about $79,000 today.  To compare Woodlake Villas to any others on Hilton Head Island, please call or email Richard Kadesch, the Hilton Head Gated Communities Specialist® today.

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

Opportunity Knocks For Hilton Head Real Estate Bargain Hunters

This is the time to buy prime Hilton Head Island real estate at bargain prices.

Hilton Head Real Estate will always be valuable and Hilton Head Island is one of the most popular and highest quality vacation and residential communities in the United States.  If you want to own real estate on Hilton Head Island, you will want to have bragging rights to the great property that you bought when prices were low – and that is right now.  Warren Buffet is credited with saying: “Be greedy when others are fearful.  Be fearful when others are greedy”. 

Anyone who takes advantage of a distressed Hilton Head Island real estate market is smart in my opinion, not greedy but the saying underscores the advantages you have as a buyer today:

• Low prices
• Great selection
• Historically low interest rates
• Negotiable, distressed sellers
• Low competition from other buyers

It is understood that we do not want to overpay for any property but instead, we want to buy at a low price and hedge our purchase against the possibility of an even lower price.   In some areas of Hilton Head, we see new low prices.  In other areas, we see prices firming up.  In all areas, there are great opportunities for bargains. 

My clients are purchasing distressed properties right now and we are finding some excellent properties greatly reduced prices compared to just three to four years ago.  The value of a good buyer’s agent assisting you is as important as ever to insure that your interests are represented and that you get the best deal. 

Difficult Times Scream With Opportunity

To inquire about the property you want, the community of greatest interest to you or about your plans in any way, please call me toll free 1-800-333-5025 or email today rich@gogated.com.  My cell phone is 843-684-2933.  I will be glad to review the part of the market that interests you and review your plans to determine why this should be an ideal time to you to buy a retirement home, foreclosure, second home or vacation rental villa on Hilton Head Island.

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