Here's hoping you have enjoyed the month of May so far...with temps in the 80's during the day, we are starting to see emerge that predictable weather pattern featuring the threat of brief afternoon thunderstorms. Otherwise, the weather has been outstanding, once again treating May-visitors to a not-so-little taste of paradise on Hilton Head Island!

Thanks, as always, for your interest in our real estate updates...happy reading!

48 Stoney Creek Road
$1,075,000 Furnished
An exciting offering in today's market...this home presents the new owner with the opportunity to earn outstanding rental income through one of the most prominent rental agencies on Hilton Head Island - ResortQuest. This newer (1999) home features over 3,300 heated square feet in a split-level floorplan. The brick entry steps lead to double leaded-glass entry doors, opening into a large great room with separate dining and living areas. Special features of this room include soaring smooth-finish ceilings, a bay-window, double-sided gas fireplace, integrated speakers, and wood blinds. On the other side of the double-sided fireplace, there is a warm and inviting family room which flows to the breakfast room and open-style kitchen.

As a means of exposing you to different areas of Hilton Head Island / Bluffton which are off the beaten-path, we have developed this fun, new photo section of our email newsletter. Below, you will see a photograph taken of a very specific location in our area...and all you have to do is guess where it is! Well, actually, we tell you at THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE NEWSLETTER, so don't get too frustrated if you can't figure it out. Have fun with it...and good guessing!

Interest Rates on the Climb
With interest rates jumping as much as a 1/2 point over the past two weeks, buyers are left with wondering how they can structure a quick purchase to attain the absolute lowest rates available. This creates a sense of urgency in our market that is already affected by a reduced-inventory of property available for sale. The net result may very well prove to be a strong shift from a buyer's market to a seller's market, which this year has already suggested is happening. We are now beginning to see once again multiple offers on some properties as well as very small days-on-market statistics for properties in particularly appealing markets. If you have been holding off to buy, why not re-consider now to take advantage of low rates as well as upcoming Summer rental income on investment properties. Let us know how we can help...

Tour of Homes
We will once again be featuring our Sunday Tour of Homes program in Sea Pines and Hilton Head Plantation this Spring, Summer and Fall. This 2-hour tour is a terrific way to discover these popular residential communities, learning about fee structures, golf memberships, market trends, etc.. The tours run from 1-3 p.m. on Sundays, and reservations are required. If you are interested in attending one of these tours, please email or call us with the date that works best for you...thanks!

Email Auto-Notification
This specialized, free service allows you to receive an automatic email everytime that there is a new property listed, a property placed under contract or a property sale closed in a specific segment of the local real estate market that interests you. There really is no better way to stay up on the local market, and it is great for both buyers and current property owners alike. Email us today if you would be interested in receiving this excellent complimentary service.

Across the Country
In order to help put our local market into perspective, we have provided some nationwide real estate news that we hope you will find interesting. Just click on the USA map to the right to access this section of our newsletter...and be sure to let us know if you have any questions or comments.

Business Appreciation Party
Thanks to so many of you who were around and could attend our Spring Business Appreciation Party. We enjoyed a great turn-out, and the weather was particularly accommodating so that we could enjoy making use of the outdoor atrium outside our office entrance to provide elbow room for everyone. Hat's off to everyone on our staff who did a terrific job in preparing for this fun event! If you were unable to attend, please keep an eye out into the near future for an invitation to our Summer Business Appreciation Party in mid-to-late August!

Birthday
Please help us extend Happy Birthday wishes to Juan Andricain, our Buyer Specialist, and Kent Collins, our Business Development Manager...both of whom have celebrated their birthdays within the past 2 weeks.

The Last 3 Years
It is interesting to see statistics for area builders over the past 3 years in our local market. Of note, D.R. Horton built 158 homes in 2001, 404 homes in 2002, and 322 homes in 2003 in our area. Del Webb built 110,316, and 554 respectively. The total value of the homes built by these 2 builders together over the 3 years was $237 Million.
New Park
The Town of Hilton Head has announced the upcoming opening of a new public park named Fish Haul Creek Park. This 31 acre park is located off Beach City Road adjacent to Port Royal Sound and Fish Haul Creek. The park will include 50 parking spaces, a small bathroom building, a picnic shelter, walking rails, and an observation pier into the marshes of Fish Haul Creek. It will be an ideal location to enjoy a walk on the beach, bird watching, picnicking and hiking. In addition, the Town will be expanding nearby Barker Field to include the construction of 2 additional multi-purpose fields, 89 parking spaces, a small bathroom facility, an observation pier for public education, and a boardwalk connection to the Port Royal beach access. Construction is set for completion in August 2004.

Trash Pick-Up Made Fun
On May 22 from 8:30-11:30am, the Island Recreation Association will host “Perk Up the Park” Day at Chaplin Park. They would like to express their thanks to all the members of the community who helped clean up much of the trash around the park last year. Your help keeps the park looking beautiful for everyone who uses it. If you are interested in helping out please call the Island Rec. Center at 843-681-7273.


Congratulations are in order for our April E-mail
Newsletter Drawing Winner

Sandra DeGirolamo of Mount Pocano, PA

As a recipient of this e-mail newsletter, you are automatically entered into our drawing for next month's giveaway. Good Luck...and don't forget to pass this along to a friend so they can sign up to be a recipient of the newsletter and an entry in our drawing! Thanks! Simply click here to enter.

This privately-owned parcel of land is located on the North end of Hilton Head Island at the intersection of Gumtree Road and Squire Pope Road, not too far from the Cypress gate of Hilton Head Plantation. While livestock is not permitted in gated communities, these animals have been happily grazing on this land for years and years and years...