The Cobb Group Blog - Home Matters! Monthly Update

How is today’s Lowcountry real estate market different than the 2008 market?

If you recall, the real estate crash of 2008 resulted in approximately a 30-35% reduction in housing value across all of the gated communities in the Lowcountry. There had been a “run up” of prices built on a panic buying of “flip” buyers owning many properties outside their financial capabilities. Banks were lending money like it was water, and when the world stopped in September 2008 banks and locals were caught with an enormous amount of useless debt and foreclosures were everywhere. The irresponsible buying and lending resulted in the collapse of a glass house of poor real estate decisions. Fortunately, most communities recovered their value over the years and recently escalation has been through the roof. What’s different this time as the real estate…

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Partnering With Your Realtor Just Makes Sense

Benefits of Partnering with your Realtor when Selling Your House

Getting ready to list your home for sale? Interviewing Realtors? It is very important to understand that a successful transaction happens when a partnership is formed between the Listing Agent and the Seller. Magic happens when both parties work together for a common goal. Respect is key and so is the understanding that both parties need to pull their weight through defined roles. The plan of attack needs to be agreed upon and understood by each side and then executed effectively for success. The Listing Agent brings market knowledge of pricing, sales experience, the art of negotiation, and public feedback. While the Seller should be open and willing to step up and do what is required…

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Do You Know the Yellow Banana Story?

If you understand how supply and demand drive real estate decisions then you would be amazed about how much “timing” makes a difference in winning or losing. For example, if a market is in a stall period, buyers and sellers can just sit back and watch without having to make any critical commitments. 

However, if you want to be a winner in the house-buying game, it is important to pay attention to the statistics on change, and right now the real estate business is heating up for the spring market. The Lowcountry is not in a stall period. If you see a home that you want, be smart and devise a strategy to win that desired house. Inventory is at a continued low, and prices are still strong in our area. Days on the market are much shorter than in years…

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Pricing vs. Days on Market

What do you think is more damaging to the sale of your home, correct pricing or 'days on market?' The answer is both, and they play off each other. The last few years have seen a significant increase in the pricing of homes in the Bluffton and Hilton Head Island areas. It is tempting as a Seller to “shoot for the moon” when putting your house on the market to sell but Buyers are just too smart these days. Listing your home with outrageous pricing slows down the sale if the market cannot support a Seller’s aggressive pricing. As a Seller, if the feedback you are receiving is that your home is overpriced, make the adjustment immediately and move ahead. Some Sellers are set and determined to start high and test the market which is fine as long as they…

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What Do Real Estate and the Super Bowl Have in Common?

The Super Bowls kicks off the spring real estate season in Bluffton and on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Historically, the day after the completion of the Super Bowl is the beginning of the spring selling season and normally lasts until the Saturday after the Heritage Golf Tournament in late April. Homes sell here all year, however, spring is traditionally when the strongest sales happen. Things were a little different the last 3 years with the flurry of the Covid-19 real estate market, but as we are starting to see some stabilization with home prices and activity, we believe that historical norms will start to return too. We traditionally sell more homes in February, March, and April than in any other three-month period of the year. Have a…

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Growth in Gated Communities

Growth in Gated Communities. Amenities are not Free.

I think we can all agree that almost everybody living in gated communities are usually wanting “more and more” in the way of amenities, and likewise, neighborhood boards believe growth is necessary in order to maintain community strength and values. Members want “more and more” and boards love to build. Often both groups do not understand the long-term ramifications of this phenomenon. Many gated communities have one financial characteristic in common, qualified employees are becoming harder to find and it will cost considerably more money to retain them in the future. There is definitely a long-term problem brewing in the Bluffton and Hilton Head Island areas in trying to solve low-cost housing for…

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What is a Frank Lloyd Wright Home?

Have you heard of Frank Lloyd Wright? He was an American architect known for his innovative designs and use of organic architecture, which sought to harmonize buildings with their surroundings. Wright's work significantly impacted the field of architecture, and his homes are highly sought after for their unique beauty and design.

There are many people who seek to have their home represent the architecture of his unique homes. There are architects and designers alike who tout their abilities to be Frank Lloyd Wright-esque. There are many books and publications that represent his body of work. You can get a gorgeous coffee table book that showcases it all. You can also purchase wall art that is inspired by his design;…

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Why Does Moss Creek Have a Hilton Head Island Address?

Hilton Head Island and Bluffton are filled with anomalies and fun facts. Both of these towns evolved from small seaside communities and have grown by leaps and bounds, and through their evolution remnants of the past have lingered adding to their quirkiness. There are reasons behind decisions that helped with growth and made sense at the time but now can seem antiquated. It is these anomalies that permeate our unique, beautiful, and fun-loving Lowcountry. Throughout the growth there is an animated, laid-back southern vibe that keeps the Lowcounty mentality alive and keeps vacationers coming back and oftentimes returning to become locals themselves. Let us know if you have a local tidbit to share or if you have a question we can research and…

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How to Choose the Best Realtor for You

Experience matters! Having a Realtor that shares all of their accomplishments and victories is impressive but what you really want is a Realtor that always has your best interests in mind. Just hearing that your Realtor is the “best” is not always the best for you. You need a Realtor that makes you feel like you are #1. You want someone with an arsenal of tools to solve every problem that comes along. You need a Realtor that has a team behind them of trustworthy inspectors, contractors, and attorneys.

Listen to what other industry leaders and vendors say about the Realtor you are interviewing to help you with your transaction. These are the folks in the trenches that know all the local players. Integrity, trust, and dedication go a long way. You want a…

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2023 Here We Come!

We are almost to the new year, and overall 2022 was a super year. When we look back on all we accomplished and learned we had many successes. This is a great time to set aside an hour or so of uninterrupted time to do a quick review of what you want to be different in 2023. Use this time to reflect and evaluate your goals to keep you moving towards the future you are creating for yourself. We can never predict exactly how the year will evolve, but having a general road map will keep you on track and it makes surprises along the way much easier to navigate. 

Ask yourself the following questions:

REFLECT:

• What have you accomplished over the past six months (goal related or not)?
• What goals did you achieve or make progress on?
• What are your…

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