Hilton Head Island, SC Real Estate Directory
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Living In Luxury: Hilton Head Real Estate
When you think about Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, no doubt your thoughts turn to lavish oceanfront homes, properties with deepwater lots, or home sites overlooking a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus or Pete Dye. Or maybe your first thoughts are of a villa overlooking the Harbour Town marina, or a picturesque salt marsh highlighted by the setting sun. Hilton Head real estate offers that and a whole lot more!
In fact, "luxury" isn't limited to those multi-million dollar beachfront, deepwater, and golf course homes in gated communities. Luxury homes come in all price ranges, from $300,000 to well over $10,000,000. You don't even have to live on the Island to enjoy resort living in the South Carolina Low Country.
Bluffton Real Estate: The Gateway To Hilton Head
Just across the bridge from Hilton Head is the town of Bluffton, SC. If you haven't visited the area in 10 or 15 years you might remember Bluffton as that quaint little speed trap before you crossed the bridge. But Bluffton is all grown up now and features a mix of private, gated communities and planned neighborhoods with homes in all price ranges. While you won't find much oceanfront real estate in Bluffton, communities like Colleton River Plantation feature deep water lots along the Colleton River. Other communities of note in the area include Belfair, Berkeley Hall, Spring Island, and Palmetto Bluff.
The nearby town of Hardeeville is also beginning to blossom, and the addition of a new seaport in the area has begun to fuel the housing boom. Over the next ten years there are plans to develop over 20,000 new homes in Hardeeville, and new residential communities have already begun to break ground.
How To Find Your Ideal Hilton Head Area Home
The greater Hilton Head Island and Bluffton area real estate offerings are unique when compared to most other areas of the United States. Most of the homes and home sites are located in gated residential communities, commonly known as "plantations". Each plantation has its own unique characteristics and amenities. For example, although plantations such as Sea Pines are gated communities, they offer areas of public access to shops, restaurants, and hotels as well as other short-term rental properties. While tourism fuels the local economy, it can also cause congestion on the roads, bike paths, golf courses, beaches, and in service establishments. On the other hand, Colleton River Plantation is a completely private community allowing access only to residents and visitors with pre-approved credentials.
Before you begin to explore the real estate listings in the Hilton Head MLS, you must first address your reasons for purchasing property in the area. These reasons are important factors in determining which residential community will best fit your lifestyle. For example, you and your family may be relocating to the area to live, work and attend school, you may be looking for a second home or a rental property, or you may just be looking to purchase land to build a home when you retire.
The next step is to decide upon which residential community amenities and characteristics are the most important factors in your lifestyle. It is important to note that the value of your Hilton Head real estate is often directly related to these features. Some of the more popular community amenities include golf course, private golf course, tennis facilities, marinas, deepwater access, security services, fitness and pool facilities, bike trails, walking trails, and beach access. Most communities also have very strict covenants, and those community restrictions may also influence your decision.
The Hilton Head area is most famous for its beaches and its golf courses. It goes without saying that the amount of oceanfront property available is limited, and that these homes are offered at a premium over other properties. But the quality of golf within a community can also influence property values even if the home site is not located directly on the golf course.
But golf course and ocean views are not the only sights to be seen. Hilton Head real estate offers a wide variety of spectacular views including lagoon views, marsh views, lake views, river views, wooded views, and combination views. Once again, these influence both quality of life and the property value.
Perhaps the most important point to remember is that there are some areas that may be fun to visit and vacation, but are not necessarily the best choice for a permanent residence. Hilton Head Realtor and Broker Darle Booher will take the time to get to know you, your needs, and your expectations to help you find that luxury Hilton Head home that suits your lifestyle.
Additional Hilton Head Island Resources
Realtor Felice LaMarca presents the oceanfront homes, villas, and condos of Hilton Head Island real estate.Search her featured listings and the Hilton Head Island MLS. Felice specializes in the homes and properties of Sea Pines real estate.
Realtor Vance Kosloff provides you with a comprehensive guide to Sun City Hilton Head real estate. Learn why Sun City is not a retirement community - it's an activity community! For homes outside this community you can search the Hilton Head MLS.
Hilton Head 360 - Vacation rentals and local information.
Hilton Head Hotel and Resort Reservations - Hotel reservations and vacation information.