Posts Tagged ‘Go Gated Realty’

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

Go Gated Realty Helps You Find Your Best Mortgage Product

Go Gated Realty is all about service and expertise in all areas of Hilton Head real estate and this includes knowing which lenders have the best loans for the real estate that you want.  We work regularly with many Hilton Head area mortgage lenders so that our clients get the best Hilton Head loan products and rates available and no one lender is right for all borrowers.   While most all Hilton Head lenders offer low and competitive interest rates, these same lenders will be more or less attractive depending on what you buy.   Buyers who have specific needs catered to by different lenders include:

• Hilton Head first-time home buyers 
• Hilton Head Jumbo loan borrowers
• Hilton Head non-conforming property buyers
• Hilton Head Canadian home buyers
• Hilton Head commercial property buyers
• Hilton Head ‘investment’ property buyers
• Hilton Head building site (lot) buyers

A good Hilton Head Buyer’s Agent knows how to save your time and help you find the mortgage that you want.  To find the property you want and help with the best loan, call me, the Hilton Head Gated Communities Specialist® today!  My cell number is 843-684-2933 and my email is below.

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 Mortgage Rates On 8/25/09

The Hilton Head interest rates quoted below were given to Go Gated Realty® by one Hilton Head area lender today and are similar to interest rates offered by other various Hilton Head mortgage lenders.  Go Gated Realty stays informed about local interest rates so that we can make sure that our clients are advised about the best loan products and interest rates for their needs.

**quoted with no points

30year fixed Conforming**                                                                                              5.0%  (4.75% w/1pt)

15 year fixed Conforming**                                                                                             4.5%  (4.25% w/1pt)

5/1 Interest Only**                                                                                                           4.25% (4.0% w/1pt)

5/1 ARM Jumbo**                                                                                                              4.5% (4.25% w/1pt)

30 year fixed Jumbo                                                                                                           6.125% (5.875% w/1pt)                   

Lot Loans to 70% LTV                                                                                                         7.0%

FHA **                                                                                                                                   5.25%

VA**                                                                                                                                      5.375%

RD**                                                                                                                                      5.5%

90% Jumbo loans

96.5% financing available up to a $401,500 purchase price through FHA.

Construction loans up to 90% of subject to completion value

In recent months, interest rates have been pretty steady and generally low.  Over time, these rates are forecast to increase.  Work with an agent who can help you find the best loan for you as well as the best property for your needs.   To benefit from my 34 years of Hilton Head Island real estate experience, please call me, Richard Kadesch, the Hilton Head Gated Communities Specialist® today.   My cell number is 843-684-2933 or email rich@gogated.com.   

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

 

 

 

New Listing: Lot 22 Sterling Point Drive in Oak View, Hilton Head Island

The Old House Creek and marsh front view of lot 22 Sterling Point, Oak View

Go Gated Realty has Just listed marsh front lot 22 Sterling Point in Oak View for $179,900.  The lot views Old House Creek and the surrounding marshes and is slightly less than a tenth of an acre, ideal for a free standing townhouse-style home.   The building lot is within steps of the Old House Creek Pier, a public fishing pier owned by the Town of Hilton Head Island, a valuable amenity for the right owner.  

The Old House Creek Fishing Pier	The Oak View Community Swimming Pool

Marsh view building sites are among the most valued locations on Hilton Head Island.because of their beautiful views, the way the light plays on the marsh grass at all times of the day, the marsh breezes and the live oak and palm trees that grow beside the marshes.  Lot 22 Sterling Point has all of these things and is a bargain compared to other marsh view lots that have an average listed price on Hilton Head Island today of $464,000!  The next lowest-priced marsh front lot listed on Sterling Point Drive today costs $297,500 - over $100,000 more! 

Lot 22 is highlighted in yellow	Oak View is a community with just 40 acres

Lot 22 Sterling Point in Oak View could be for you if you want to:

• Save money on a high quality, marsh front building lot on Hilton Head Island.
• Built your home and save money instead of buying a resale home.
• Have a house built to your specifications and have exactly what you want. 
• Have a building site for your home and build when you are ready.

More About Oak View Lots and Homes

End of the Old House Creek Fishing Pier	Build a custom house like this one next door to lot 22 Sterling Point in Oak View.

Oak View is a relatively newer residential community on Hilton Head Island with just 40 acres located just off Spanish Wells Road near the entrance to the Cross Island Expressway.  Oak View has three sub-areas: 

1. Sterling Point, with just 17 marsh front home sites and quick access to the Old House Creek Fishing Pier.  Lots are listed from #22 @ $179,900 to $345,000 today.  One home is for sale, at $579,000.
2. Silver Oak, a gated street with 27 marsh view and wooded home sites and community swimming pool.  Four lots are for sale today from $179,500-$249,900 and two homes are for sale for $575,000 and $579,000. 
3. Gold Oak, 76 traditional style two-story homes with a community swimming pool shared with owners on Sterling Point.  There are no lots for sale in Gold Oak today but there are nine houses for sale from $259,000-$389,000. 

Call the Gated Communities Specialist® About Hilton Head Building Sites and Your Plans

To explore building your home on any home site on Hilton Head Island or nearby and to discuss your real estate ideas, please call me today, Richard Kadesch, the Hilton Head Island Gated Communities Specialist® with Go Gated Realty®.  I am also a former licensed South Carolina Home Builder and I would love to compare building sites, communities and to discuss building plans with you. 

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

The Only Foreclosure Lot In Indigo Run Today

The entrance to Berwick Green	The subject lot is a foreclosure @ $99,900.

Indigo Run is a Jack Nicklaus gated golf community on Hilton Head Island with two 18-hole championship golf courses and Berwick Green is single street enclave within Indigo Run is walking distance to both the Golf Club and the Golden Bear club houses; Berwick Green also has its own neighborhood swimming pool.  

Lot 48 Berwick Green is a .35 acre pie-shaped lot with a wooded and partial golf view located at the end of Berwick Green Drive that has no through traffic, on the cul de sac immediately next to the Berwick Green neighborhood swimming pool.  Behind lot #48 is a ‘green belt’ of community-owned land.

The Berwick Green community pool	Leaving Berwick Green on Berwick Drive

Foreclosure lot #48 listed with Go Gated Realty for $99,900, formerly listed  for $135,000 with another agency before it went into foreclosure.   The lowest price lot for sale in Indigo Run was $129,000 and the price on it has now been lowered to $99,000 – determined to be the low price.   One foreclosure can make a difference; in this case an asking price of 36% less for foreclosure lot #48 and 30% less for the other lot. *

These two lots are the only lots for sale in Indigo Run today for less than $100,000 and after one other lot for sale at $139,000, there are 29 other lots for sale in Indigo Run today with prices from $159,000 to $999,000 for an average asking price of $316,000.  Two lots sold in Indigo Run in the last 90 days for $200,000 and $250,000.   There are very few lots for sale for less than $150,000 for on Hilton Head Island today.  By several measures, foreclosure lot #48 Berwick Green is a real bargain.

Build Your Custom, Luxury Home in Indigo Run

Meet the neighbors.  This home has 3,381 sf and is for sale for $799,000.	Immediately next to foreclosure lot #48, this home has 3,111 sf and is for sale today for $639,500.

Two homes are listed for sale today in Berwick Green, at $639,5000 and $799,000.   One of these homes is immediately next door to the Indigo Run foreclosure lot #48 and the other house is a few doors away.   If you would like to build a home like either of these that have 3,111 square feet and 3,381 square feet of living space, you could save about $64,000-$180,000 respectively and have a brand new home built to your specifications, with the latest building materials and appliances.   I am a former licensed South Carolina Home Builder and I will be happy to walk you through the building process and connect you with excellent builders who build at low prices.

But what if you cannot buy a home now because you have to sell the one that you have first?  It may be that you cannot afford to have two homes at one time but perhaps you can afford to buy a lot and build later when you sell the house that you must sell first.   A low-priced lot like Indigo Run foreclosure lot #48 makes this very attractive, locking in your savings forever.

To see and compare the foreclosure lot #48 in Berwick Green, Indigo Run, please call on my cell phone at 843-684-2933 or email rich@rkrealty.com. 

*These numbers were taken from the Multiple Listing Service of Hilton Head Island that requires this disclaimer:  “The statistical data contained herein has not been verified by the Multiple Listing Service of Hilton Head Island, Inc. and the publication of information hereof is not a representation or warranty of any fact whatsoever.”

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

Front entrance with no steps to #10 Townhouse Tennis III in Shipyard.

Just Listed:  #10 Townhouse Tennis III

#10 Townhouse Tennis was just just listed with Go Gated Realty®, the Hilton Head Gated Community Specialist®.  It is in like-new condition and especially desirable with:

• Beautiful water and golf views from the living room, kitchen, both back bedrooms and the patio.
• The entire first floor is tiled: foyer, kitchen, living-dining area, two bedroom and two bathrooms. The upstairs master bedroom bath also has a tiled floor. The kitchen has granite counter tops.
• The villa is sold completely furnished, including area rugs.
• 1,750 SF of living space.

The location, size, features and quality make this townhouse attractive to anyone who wants a vacation rental property, a second home or as a primary home on Hilton Head Island.  

The water and golf view from the back of #10 Townhouse Tennis III in Shipyard.

 First floor Master Bedroom, Water and Golf View

Buyers who want a luxury home near the beach on Hilton Head Island will want to look at #10 Townhouse Tennis Villa in Shipyard.  It compares well to other three-bedroom homes or vacation rental villas because:  

• the master bedroom and second bedroom on the first floor and there are no steps for entry to the home.  This is often preferred by Hilton Head retirement and pre-retirement buyers but is attractive to everyone.   
• the outside maintenance and services are provided by the villa association.
• Townhouse Tennis Villas are the only Shipyard villas to have carports. 
• a large storage room is attached to the carport.
• Townhouse Tennis Villas are the only villas in Shipyard to have private clay tennis courts.
• quiet community swimming pool.
• pets are allowed for owners.
• great back patio and front courtyard.
• outside barbecuing is allowed.
• located in Shipyard with private beach access, a gated community with two 24-hour manned security gates.  To read more about Shipyard, see below.  

This Shipyard townhouse is sold completely furnished and is ready to use or rent.

Located In Shipyard on Hilton Head Island

Shipyard is one of Hilton Head Island’s most popular vacation and residential gated communities, located on the south end of Hilton Head Island, between Sea Pines and Palmetto Dunes, defined by a beautiful scenery of lakes and semi-tropical foliage, high quality villas, custom homes, a golf club, tennis club, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, private beach access and two gated entrances.  

The Shipyard private beach access is next to the Crowne Plaza Hotel.  The Hotel offers short and long-term memberships to their fitness center, indoor swimming pool, has restaurants and business meeting environment by day and nightlife environment by night.

The Shipyard golf club has three 9-hole courses, is open to the public and offers optional memberships.  The golf club has a teaching program, full pro shop and a restaurant. 

Shipyard is home to the Van Der Meer Tennis Center with 20 tennis courts: 13 Hard Tru, 7 hard, 8 lighted and 3 indoor.  The Center offers teaching programs to players of all levels and a tennis academy for teachers.

Shipyard has two security entrances to the community:  one on Pope Avenue and another on the William Parkway. 

Hilton Head Luxury Villa  - Moderately Priced

At $434,900,  #10 Townhouse Tennis III is priced relatively low.

• The average price of all three-bedroom villas for sale in Shipyard today is $444,000.
• Few villas for sale today have both water and golf views.
• Only Townhouse Tennis III villas have carports.
• All homes in Shipyard cost more today than #10 Townhouse Tennis and one of the homes that costs less does not have a carport or garage!

The cost of ownership will include, in addition to any finance cost:

1. the monthly regime fee of $411.  This includes water and sewer and  maintenance of the common areas and amenities, trash pick-up and pest control.
2. $2,600 per year for hurricane, fire and flood insurance.
3. utility costs for electric, cable and telephone. 
4. property taxes, approximately  $2,200/year as a second home and much less as a primary home.
5. Shipyard annual POA of $780.

The owner paid $565,000 for this property in March of 2006 and he will take a loss on this property to buy an even larger second home on Hilton Head Island at today’s depressed price.  This is a perfect example of price capitulation that creates a window of opportunity for the right buyer.  To look more and compare the location, view and features of this Shipyard luxury home with any other, contact Richard Kadesch 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

The Hilton Head Christian Academy

The Hilton Head Christian Academy was founded in 1979 and has a 13-acre campus.  The Academy teaches K5-12.

This is the third of a six part series about the biggest issues facing Hilton Head and Bluffton schools today. The three biggest issues identified by the Hilton Head-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce are:

• The quality of instruction.
• School funding.
• The explosive growth of our community.

The Chamber invited several of Beaufort County’s top educators and athletic coaches to speakabout these topics at the Hilton Oceanfront Resort on Hilton Head Island on August 28, 2008.  The speakers’ comments are presented in six parts.  This is part three.  The speakers were:

1. Fred Washington Jr, Chairman, Beaufort County School Board.
2. Dr. Valerie Truesdale, Superintendent, Beaufort County Schools.
3. Mike Lindsey, Headmaster, Hilton Head Christian Academy.
4. Peter Cooper, Interim Headmaster, Hilton Head Preparatory School.
5. Questions from the audience and answers from the panel.
6. The coaches speak about student-athletes, and character.

Headmaster Mike Lindsey

Mr. Lindsey has been the Headmaster of the Hilton Head Christian Academy since 1992.  Previously, he served as Headmaster of the East Hill Christian School in Pensacola for seven years.  He has been an educator since 1975 following seven years as a USAF pilot.  Mr. Lindsey has a business administration degree from Troy State University and and educational administration degree from Valdosta State University. The following is a summary of Mr. Lindsey’s comments at the State of the Schools event in August, 2008.

Children Revitalize My Life

Today, a parent really can’t go wrong with any school on Hilton Head Island that they choose for their child.

Headmaster Mike Lindsey

The faculty and administration of each school is energized and they all have the goal of providing the best education possible for their students.  This is certainly true of the Hilton Head Christian Academy.

When I first came to the Academy, I thought at the time that I might just stay for a couple of years.  But, seventeen years later, I keep showing up.   I am much older than when I arrived, but the kids never change.  They are always the same age.  It has been a rich experience.

I wear two hats at our school.  I am both the Headmaster and a teacher.  There is nothing that compares with the experience of being in the classroom and teaching children, a constant reminder about why I have spent the last 33 years of my adult life with children.

We Are a Mission Driven School

We are a mission based school and part of our mission is to create and maintain a stable and predictable culture, a culture that our parents identify with closely.  We are in partnership with our parents and we work hard to maintain the culture that our parents want us to have.

We are research based.  There are lots of ideas out there but we have limited resources to spend.  We have to know that something works before we buy it.  One of the greatest challenges that I face is to know how and where to invest our money.   

We are data driven.  In any business, you have to know what is working.  We have to hold ourselves accountable for the job that we do.  One of ways that we measure academic progress is with RIT scores.  Public schools use them and we thought that it would be a good idea if we did too.  It definitely helps us to evaluate a public school student who wants to come to our school.  To our surprise, we found out that we are the only private school in the State that uses them.  

We are results oriented.  The data must drive you somewhere that you want to go.  Education hinges on a few important things but some larger issues can get in the way.  If we make mistakes we will pay for them in our next year’s enrollment.  I always remind myself that every year I have to sell 500 seats.

We Want The Best Teachers

It is of the greatest importance who we admit and who we employ.  The best teachers pay dividends with the performance of our students.  Therefore, we go nationally to find the best teachers we can get and do whatever it takes to meet their salary requirements.  Seventy per cent of our teachers have masters degrees.  It they do not have a masters degree, they have to enter a masters degree program within a reasonable amount of time.  We want the level of our teachers to be better and better every year.

Technology Is Very Important

Technology is a big deal and it is expensive.  We cannot pay for everything that we would like to have but we have added white board technology to most of our classrooms and we expect to have them it in of our classrooms by the end of 2009. 

Personal Student Care

Our parents want their child to be both educated and cared for.   They want to make sure that someone is there to step into their lives and help them.  Perhaps they need help in assimilating into our school or they don’t seem to be living up to their potentials.  To make sure that this is done, we have created a new position of Assistant Headmaster for Student Development and so far, this has worked out very well for our school.

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 Home Prices Search for the Bottom

Sep 07 Oct   Nov   Dec  Jan 08  Feb   Mar   Apr     May   Jun    Jul    Aug   Sep

600     611    507    601    576   399   569    501   520    537   452    513   536

 Hilton Head Home Sales Prices x $1,000.

We don’t need the Go Gated Blog to tell us that Hilton Head home prices have fallen.  Statistically, home prices have fallen from September 2007 to September 2008 by 10.8%.  But, are prices at the bottom and if not, when will this happen?  The fact is that  nobody knows exactly when prices will bottom and economic events like that are impossible to predict accurately.  But, we can study our local housing numbers as we do in this blog and draw our own conclusions about what may happen next.  

The best statistics about Hilton Head home sales for us to study come from the Hilton Head Multiple Listing Service and come with this disclaimer:  “The statistical data presented herein has not been verified by the Multiple Listing Service of Hilton Head Island Inc, Richard Kadesch or Go Gated Realty.   The publication of the information hereof is not a representaiton of any fact whatsoever.”  

The Number of Hilton Head Homes Sold

Sep 07 Oct   Nov   Dec  Jan 08  Feb   Mar   Apr     May   Jun    Jul    Aug   Sep

169      90     87    143   66     113   107   140     156   129   148    106    83

A Summary of Hilton Head Home Sales Data

Here is a summary of some 13-month statistics taken from the HIlton Head MLS: 

• The average sales prices of homes shows a gradual decline in the past 13 months (see the graph, above).  The average home sale in September 2007 was $600,496 vs the average home sold in September, 2008 of $535,719 shows a decline in average sales price of $64,777 or 10.8% year to year for September.  We will probably see some lower average sales prices in 2009 and we will have to monitor the data to see when we hit bottom. 
• The number of homes sold shows a gradual decline (see the graph, above).  169 homes sold in September 2007 vs 83 sold in September 2008. This is a decline of 50.9% for these  two months year to year.  Okay, so there are fewer buyers but to speculate about why is to ask if prices are still too high, credit is too tight and if buyers are waiting for the presidential election or some other event as a buying signal.  
• The dollar volume of Hilton Head homes sold declined from $101,483,835. in September 2007 to $44,464,691. in September 2008 ( see the graph, below). This is a decline of 56.2%.  This number, together with the number of homes sold data tells me that more homes are selling in the lower price range, at least in September, 2008.    
• The average days on the Market to sell is up from 125 in September 2007 to 149 in September 2008 (see the graph, below).  This is an increase of 24 days, or 19.2%.

 Hilton Head Home Sales in Millions of Dollars

Sep 07 Oct   Nov   Dec  Jan 08  Feb   Mar   Apr     May   Jun    Jul    Aug   Sep

101    55      44      86      38     45      61    70     81      69      67      54      44

 What Must Change For Prices to Recover

• The supply and factors must change.  Demand must increase more than the supply increases.  The supply must decrease.  We see this happening and many sellers do not renew listings and withdraw properties from the market.  In September of 2007 there were 2,904 Hilton Head homes for sale vs 2,842 homes for sale in September, 2008 – a reduction of 2%.  
• The rate of foreclosures must diminish.  While foreclosures are a small part of the sales inventory, they depress prices at the low end..
• Credit must be available for buyers and at attractive interest rates.   The government is not committed to this issue.
• Buyer confidence must improve.  Many buyers are waiting for the market to settle down and to me, this means that they expect to get lower prices by waiting or they must sell before buying.  Buyers also don’t like uncertainty in general and there is a lot of that right now.  We need to have the Presidential election to eliminate the uncertainly about who will be our next President.  We need more assurance that the national and world economy will improve. 

The Go Gated Blog will be monitor events and HIlton Head home prices.  The needed changes will happen slowly.  National experts see a housing recovery underway but that will take several years to complete.  Hilton Head is typically among the last places to feel a recession and among the first to recover.  This is in part because there are many affluent buyers of prime Hilton Head Island real estate.  It is also true that Beaufort County is among the fastest growing counties in the State of South Carolina.  There are many new jobs here and baby boomer demographics favor the Hilton Head retirement and second home housing market.  

 Some Good News for Hilton Head Home Sellers

• The gradual decline in prices gives sellers a reasonable expectation of what buyers will pay.     
• There are buyers in the marketplace. 
• We are probably at or near the bottom of home prices.
• Banks do have money to lend and interest rates are generally pretty good. 
• If you sell low now and will buy again, you will probably buy low too. 

Average Days on the Market to Sell

Sep 07 Oct   Nov   Dec  Jan 08  Feb   Mar   Apr     May   Jun    Jul    Aug   Sep

125   128    101    146   130    139   145    162    151   118   149   147   149

 What is a Hilton Head Home – Statistically?

All sales from the entire HIlton Head MLS area is used for the data in this article.  Yes, the Hilton Head statistial home is a combination of some trailers down the road, a few ocean front mansions and numerous other homes.  Please ask the Gated Communities Specialist ® about the sub-market of the neighborhood that interests you.  Recently a client who bought a house from me last year in Hilton Head Plantation called to find out how much he believed home prices must have fallen in his neighborhood.  The numbers told me that prices where he lives have not fallen at all.  He loves his home and has no regrets.  He could not have bought it now for the low price that he got even if it was for sale today.   

Remember, this data describes homes - not villas or lots.  That data will be presented in separate blog posts ASAP.  Most sales of the Hilton Head Multiple Listing Service occur on Hilton Head Island or in Bluffton, South Carolina.   Other areas that are part of the Hilton Head MLS include Ridgeland and Hardeeville, both in Jasper County.  Also included are homes in Barnwell, Hampton, and Orangeburg counties.

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

 Part 2: The Biggest Issues Facing Hilton Head and Bluffton Schools Today

In this second of six parts, Dr. Valerie Truesdsale, Beaufort County School Superintendent talks about the three biggest issues facing Hilton Head and Bluffton schools according to a survey by the Hilton Head-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce.  These issues are: quality of instruction, school funding and the explosive growth of our community.  She spoke along with other top local educators at the State of the Schools event sponsored by the Hilton Head-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and held at the Hilton Oceanfront Hotel on Thursday, August 28, 2008.   The Go Gated Blog is posting the event in six parts:      

1. Fred Washington Jr,  Chairman, Beaufort County School Board.
2. Dr. Valerie Truesdale, Superintendent, Beaufort County Schools.
3. Mike Lindsey, Headmaster, Hilton Head Christian Academy.
4. Peter Cooper, Interim Headmaster, Hilton Head Preparatory School.
5. Questions from the audience and answers from the Panel.
6. The Coaches speak about student-athletes and character.   

Dr. Valerie Truesdale,  Beaufort County Schools Superintendent 

Dr. Valerie Truesdale has been an educator for over 25 years.  She earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of South Carolina in 1988, and MBA from Georgia State University in 1978 and a Bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Clemson University in 1974.  Dr. Truesdale is starting her second year as Superintendent after serving as Superintendent of Oconee County Schools from 2003-2006. 

Dr. Valerie Truesdale

Dr. Truesdale has served on many boards and commissions including four years as a Board Member of the International Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), an association of teachers and instructional leaders with over 175,000 members worldwide.  She was recently named President-elect of ASCD.  Dr. Truesdale previously served as President of the Allied Division of the S.C. Association of School Administrators, President of the S.C. Network for Women Administrators and Chair of Leadership Columbia.   She was recently appointed to the South Carolina Public Charter School Board.  Dr. Truesdale serves on the External Advisory Board for Clemson University’s College of Health, Education and Human Development and has taught graduate courses for Clemson University and the University of South Carolina.

High ‘E’ in Hilton Head and Bluffton Public Schools

“The state of education in our 28 public schools: I have to say that this is our ‘E’ year.  This is the year that we have so much excitement and energy and enthusiasm in our public schools that you can bottle it!  You can touch it!  You can feel it in our schools. There’s always excitement and enthusiasm in the first part of each school year.   We ’school people’ get refreshed in the summertime and we come back with renewed enthusiasm.  We are in our 9th day of traditional schooling and so we are still pumped. 

There is particular energy in our Hilton Head schools.   We had Envisioning Educational Excellence activity last October with 40 community members and they outlined a new mission for us.  Those folks are pushing us towards educational excellence in all aspects of what we do. There is also a lot of energy in our schools because of new technology.  We are all lifetime learners, but with new technology many of us are really learning because some of us are not just technology natives as our students are.  Some of us are technology tourists and we’re learning it together with our students, which creates a lot of energy. 

The Importance of Math, Science and Technology

Last year we focused and identified what works in our schools and in our state and national best practices and we brought some of those best practices to Beaufort County.  We looked across our landscape and saw the rich heritage of strong achievement in our classes and we began to ask how we can replicate that in all of our schools so that the best practices used by our best teachers are the best practices used by all of our teachers.  We have a strong legacy of excellence in our classrooms and we want to replicate that across all of our schools.  So we focused on improving student achievement, particularly in math and science.  Those are two areas that need a little push and we’re going to kick it up a notch. 

So we have four focus areas:  Literacy, Numeracy, Technology, Alignment.  Alignment means that the 3rd grade curriculum and the strategies used are the foundation for the 5th grade and the 7th grade and the 9th grade.  It’s very deliberate and thoughtful and it’s not left to happenstance. 

Mathematics is the language of the 21st century.  We know that our students must be extraordinarily strong to be competitive in math, science and technology.  When I came along and finished college 34 years ago, a book worm could do well in school.  These days it’s not okay just to be a good reader; you also have know math and technology and science in order to be literate for the 21st century marketplace.  We are really focusing in on that.  Each one of the 18 elementary schools has the structural coaches that will focus on math and science as well as other instructional areas this year.    We received a lot of grants last year for implementation this year. 

Vertical Articulation PK-12

We are also helping with vertical articulation which is what I was just talking about: the PK through 12 experience so that we don’t build our schools with the child in mind; We walk through the schools in the mind of our children so that we see where there are gaps and overlaps from the student’s perspective, not the adult’s perspective.   If we can plug some of those gaps and eliminate some of those overlaps we have better instructional use of time.   With that, math coaches will be helping to standardize our elementary curriculum in mathematics across the county.  We have also added technology integration coaches to help those of us who are technology immigrants or visitors to get comfortable with extending the learning of students using technology to all students in all 24 elementary and middle schools.  They will help teachers took for links and opportunities to make technology come alive in the classroom.  There is not a single student that does not use technology every single day in their normal lives. To help students cement their keyboarding skills we added lab assistants in the elementary schools.   They need to be able to have the touch skills that they need to be able to move quickly so that they don’t do hunt and peck, like some of us! 

Whiteboards and our Teachers’ Knowledge

We believe that our teachers need to  have the tools for learning at their fingertips and that they are comfortable with it so that every teacher in Beaufort County is receiving a lap top so that they can have the technology, the ability to plan at home and the infrastructure to support technology which is part of our bond referendum this year, uplifting our schools so that the infrastructure supports technology. 

Last year we had a pilot of 72 interactive whiteboards.  The success of that pilot resulted in our equipping 60% of our classrooms this year with interactive whiteboards moving towards 100%.  A lot of training is going on for teachers and educators on interactive whiteboards.  Why are those important?  They are the visual, tactile extensions of the auditory learning process in the classrooms.  It makes it a more complete package.

We believe in investing in our teachers’ knowledge by providing outstanding training here at home and when students are not in school so that our teachers can come back each year when they are refreshed and energized.  This past summer in June, for the first time we hosted our first summer institute with intense training by nationally known speakers.  We expected 150-200 teachers but 735 teachers of 1,600 total gave up a week of their vacation and attended for their own learning. The title of the conference was “Gifted Strategies for All Learners” and our teachers came and learned and shared and networked and had a terrific investment in our students for the following year because those teachers invested in their own learning.  

Extended Math and Science Learning

Just as we have arts-infused schools at Lady’s Island Elementary School and the Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts, we’re extending learning in math and science at three sites using engineering.   This offers opportunities for kids to have hands on learning in realistic settings.  The University of South Carolina College of Engineering in Columbia is lending us their teachers to teach our teachers how to use Legos, robotics and other things to make technology come alive in our schools so that kids can learn physics without meaning to. 

We added a Gifted Magnet this year called the advanced math, engineering and science academy  for students who qualified by the State’s criteria for gifted and talented students for grades three and four.  That’s underway right now:  a stand alone school within a school for gifted education for science and math housed at Beaufort Elementary School.

Expectations ’Stretch’ Hilton Head and Bluffton Students

We are raising expectations across the board in academics and extracurriculars.  I am so proud that we are going to hear from our athletic partners this morning.  We are blessed that our Athletic Directors are monitoring our students’ grades and making sure that our student athletes are high quality leaders in our schools and that they set great role models.  We have added expectations teams in each school that work to make sure that no child can hide from high expectations.  Every student who is a no show, or every student who might drop out has to chat with this expectations team.  Every student who is not stretching him or herself to the potential that the adults see evident in that student’s background and or test scores, IQ scores, etc, ask “are you stretching”.    Push might be a four letter word but it’s a good four letter word and sometimes adults have to push a little bit to make sure that young learners are stretching themselves to the degree that ought.  I’m a mom of three kids and I know that every once in awhile a swift kick helps them to focus and say on track.  Students who are involved in school stay in school  and they achieve in school –  so we’re extending that. 

We have a campaign through the PTAs to  ‘Be There’.  The idea is to be there for your kids, for your teacher, for our schools and to make sure that we are on the same page on the same day. 

We are blessed in Beaufort County that we have a cohesive Board of Education and supported by a County Council that believes in children and that they have put funding behind making our schools as excellent at they can be.  You also have as an outgrowth of the Envisioning Educational Excellence, one of the strategies that was identified was establishing an educational foundation.  We are very blessed to have the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry supporting us.  Some of the Founders of that organization are in the audience today and thank you for what you do. 

In a nutshell:  We are excited about the state of education in Beaufort County.   We’re focused on excellence.  We’re energized and enthusiastic.  You can just feel it and it’s electric! ” 

After Dr. Truesdale spoke, John Vann, Board Chairman of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce announced that Dr. Truesdale had raised a budget surplus of over 5 million dollars in her first year as Superintendent and that the Board was putting that money to work in the Beaufort County public school classrooms this year. 

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