The Hilton Hotel in Palmetto Dunes is now the Omni Hilton Head Resort, a 323 guest room ocean front resort in Palmetto Dunes and offers world class dining at HHPrime and large guest rooms.

The Crystal Sands Hotel in Shipyard is now the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head,  a 340 guest room family friendly resort with spectacular swimming pool, lush tropical gardens, and several dining options.

The Holiday Inn at Coligny circle on Forest Beach Drive is now The Beach House, a Holiday Inn Resort.  This hotel is a 202 guest room oceanfront hotel that has just completed a major revitalization and offers renovated guest rooms, restaurants, common areas and meeting space.  The Beach House features the legendary TiKi Hut which has been voted one of the world’s “Best Beach Bars” and is only steps away from Coligny Plaza with its shops and restaurants.

All four of these Hilton Head Island hotels have had Millions of dollars in renovations.  The owners of these properties realize the value of Hilton Head Island and are willing to make the investment. As for general real estate sales on Hilton Head and in the South Carolina Lowcountry, we have seen an improvement in the number of sales.  Buyers are realizing the same opportunities our area offers as the hotel owners have.  The lifestyle Hilton Head has to offer is still what it was when the real estate prices were 25% to 50% higher in 2005/2006.   To check out all of the real estate the Hilton Head Island area values, you are just one click away at www.CharlesSampson.com.  Check it out and let us show you why we still love calling Hilton Head Island our home even after 40 years of living here!

Lastly, new residents to Hilton Head include a family of horses sculpted from repurposed steel.  What began as one of the 20 pieces of outdoor sculptures of the public art exhibition at Honey Horn has now become the latest addition to the Town of Hilton Head Island’s growing public art collection.  Artist, Jonathan Bowling’s, “Family,” was chosen by a jury and the public for purchase by the Community Foundation and donated to the town.  The jury felt the “Family” honors Hilton Head’s past and its Marsh Tacky horses.  The “Family” now graze the meadow overlooking Broad Creek off William Hilton Parkway just north of Shelter Cove on property the town of Hilton Head Island purchased some years ago.  This area will be part of the town’s proposed park linking Shelter Cove and the Chaplin Beach Park.  The photo of the “Family” was taken during a recent “gully washer” downpour!

Welcome to Hilton Head Island new neighbors, the “Family”, the Omni, the Sonesta, and the Beach House, and all the new real estate buyers!

Hilton Head’s bike trails are an ideal alternative to exploring the island by car.  You might be able to get around faster by car, but you will miss most of the natural beauty that’s around you, from views of the waters and marshes to the beautiful live oaks draped with Spanish moss.  Many of the bike trails are designed to lead you straight to the island’s parks and other amenities, making them a great way to get around the island while seeing all there is to see.  For those interested in riding with other cycling enthusiasts, be sure to check out some of the local biking clubs and biking events around the island.    If you love cycling, come to Hilton Head Island and see why the League of American Bicyclists has named it one of only five Silver Level Bike Friendly Communities in the southeast.

On Memorial Day weekend, Friday, May 27, 2012, take a quick trip to nearby Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Beaufort, SC to celebrate the Gullah people and their contribution to the history of the Sea Islands and lowcountry region of South Carolina, and Georgia.   Most of the Gullahs’ early ancestors were brought to the South Carolina and Georgia Lowcountry through the ports of Charleston and Savannah as slaves.  Due to the isolation of the area the Gullah culture grew strong and continues to be some of the most vibrant and well preserved history in the area.  The celebration recognizes the Gullah history, customs, cultures, language and accomplishments of African-Americans of the lowcountry, including the fine music, authentic Gullah arts and crafts, and the delectable, regional food. Something new this year; on Friday night there will be an adult Jazz Club from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Visit the 26th Annual Gullah Festival of South Carolina taking place Memorial Day weekend, Friday, May 27, 2012, through Sunday, May 29 at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Beaufort, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to take part in the fun while learning more about this important piece of lowcountry history.

Charter One Realty and the Charles Sampson Real Estate Group are here to help people to learn just how special Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry really are. If you are looking for homes, second homes, villas, properties with a golf course view, or any property in this little piece of paradise called Hilton Head, we can assist you with your real estate needs. To contact us directly go click on www.CharlesSampson.com or Search Hilton Head Real Estate here.

Come for a Visit and Stay for a Lifetime!

Photo Source:
Florida Memory- Division of Library & Information Services
Photographer: Mike Mead

Local restaurants will whip up both delectable seafood and non-seafood dishes while artists showcase their talents and their wares and The Headliners will provide live entertainment as you go about sampling the food. You won’t want to miss the “Iron Chef” competition where up to six local chefs will go head to head to prepare the winning appetizer and entree in just one hour using secret seafood ingredients.

So come for the fellowship, come for the tasty food, the silent auction, the Farmer’s Market, “Kid Zone” and the oh-so-famous crab races. All proceeds for the day will benefit the American Cancer Society, M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center and the Island Recreation Scholarship Fund.  As David would say, “Keep the Faith.”

Charter One Realty and the Charles Sampson Real Estate Group are here to help people to learn just how special Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry really are. If you are looking for homes, second homes,  villas, properties with a golf course view, or any property in this little piece of paradise called Hilton Head, we can assist you with your real estate needs. To contact us directly go click on www.CharlesSampson.com or Search Hilton Head Real Estate here.

In early November each year the Concours d’Elegance is held which will give you a couple of days break from the golf. There is a page on a favorite of mine, the Hilton Head Island Celebrity Golf Tournament. Started in 1979, this tournament is only 10 years younger than the Heritage. It is held Labor Day weekend and has donated over $3,000,000 to local charities.

I am glad to say that the page following this 28 page article on Hilton Head “For Golfers, Paradise Found” is a full page ad produced by Hilton Head Island and Lowcountry’s No. 1 Real Estate Company, Charter One Realty. The ad is titled “Hilton Head Island…more than just golf.” The page is full of Island lifestyle photos and has a link www.LifestyleHHI.com. “Come for a Visit and Stay for a Lifetime!”

The 28 page article is great for the Hilton Head Island area. Charter One Realty and the Charles Sampson Real Estate Group are here to help people to learn just how special Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry really are. If you are looking for homes, second homes,  villas, properties with a golf course view, or just a property in this little piece a paradise called Hilton Head, we can assist you with your real estate needs. To contact us directly go click on www.CharlesSampson.com or Search Hilton Head Real Estate here.

As a member of the HHSO Executive Committee, I had the pleasure of meeting John in February, 2011. From that first meeting, it was easy to see that Russell was a Rock Star in the world of Symphony Orchestra Conducting. During his career, Russell spent a couple of years in Savannah and it was there that he met his wife. Following Savannah, he was assistant conductor with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. One of his responsibilities with the CSO was to cultivate youth programs which he did very successfully. Ten years ago, Russell was selected as the Conductor of the Winsor Symphony in Canada, a position he has held until the end of this season. In September 2011, Russell was selected as the conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. This connection between Hilton Head and Cincinnati will prove to be very beneficial. Just the other day after Russell conducted the finals of the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, I was near John as he introduced the IPC winner to the President of the Cincinnati Symphony.

John Morris Russell truly has a passion for the music and for his audience. The Hilton Head Arts and the HHSO are in good hands with John Morris Russell on the podium. This announcement, along with all the investments being made on Hilton Head Island, like $24 million invested in the Westin, the Omni taking over the Hilton, Sonesta taking over the Crown Plaza, and a name change and $5 million dollar investment in the oceanfront Holiday Inn, says good things are happening on Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry. Add to this that Hilton Head has been awarded a Silver Level medal for a Bike Friendly Community, the RBC five year commitment to sponsor the Heritage, Hilton Head High School going from being an “at risk” school in 2007 to receiving Palmetto’s Finest High School award in the state, as well as an uptick in real estate homes and villa sales–it is just may be about time to sing good times are here again!

If you are looking for direct ocean front properties for rental or personal use, properties with a golf course view, properties on one of our Lowcountry marshes or rivers, second homes, villas, first time homes, or just a property in this little piece a paradise, we can assist you with your real estate needs.  To see just how great the real estate market deals are, contact Charles Sampson, or visit our website to Search Hilton Head Real Estate.   We like to say “Come for a visit. Stay for a Lifetime.”

With today’s economic times there sure is a lot of “Uncertainty”, and there are a lot of very good deals with buying Hilton Head homes and villas or homes in the Bluffton area. A home does not really need to be a distressed property, foreclosure, or short sale, to offer a good deal.  You, just like Warren Buffett,  can find all of the Hilton Head Island and Lowcountry real estate deals with just one click of your mouse or on your smart phone at www.CharlesSampson.com.  Better hurry because there are not a couple hundred thousand listings in all of our MLS, and as soon as we can reach Mr. Buffett and he finds out just how special the Hilton Head Island area’s lifestyle is;  with the great golf, water activities, the beach, friendly biking, the Arts- like the Arts Center Playhouse, the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, the HHSO International Piano Competition, plus the festivals- like the WineFest, Concours d’Elegance, the PGA’s RBC Heritage of Golf. Our world class dining, shopping, and even the historical attractions just to mention a few, along with the great real estate being on sale, he may just come on over from Omaha and buy us out.

Read the full “Buffett: I’d Buy Up a Couple Hundred Thousand Homes” article

Hilton Head Island

The state of South Carolina Annual School Report Card for 2011 is out and the Hilton Head Island schools performance was Very Good!  As a whole, the Beaufort County schools had 19,715 students and the overall 2011 “Absolute Rating” was Average – performance meets the standards for progress toward the 2020 goal.  The “Growth Rating” was Excellent – performance substantially exceeds the standards.  The 2020 Standard – All students will graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary to compete successfully in the global economy, participate in a democratic society and contribute positively as members of families and communities.

On Hilton Head Island there are almost 4000 students in five different public schools (Early Childhood, International Baccalaureate, Creative Arts, Middle School and Hilton Head Island School).  Hilton Head High School is grades 9-12 and had 1190 students.  In 2007 the “Absolute Rating” was Below Average and the “Growth Rating” was At Risk.  Last year, 2011, both ratings for Hilton Head High School were Excellent!  Congratulations to Amanda O’Nan, principal, the staff and students for this improvement.  Hilton Head High is one of two or three finalist for the best high school in the state.  In 2010 they were runners up.  The announcement for this award will be made in the spring.

How can good schools help real estate home sales?  There are at least two reasons.  First, better schools will attract families who want their children to go to good schools.  These families will be home buyers.  Second, if we have a well trained work force we can attract more business to our area.  More businesses mean more jobs.  More jobs mean more people who will live on Hilton Head Island or in the South Carolina Lowcountry.  The more people who live here means that there will be more real estate sold.  Another advantage you can add to all of the previously noted benefits;  the fact that local students will be able to stay in the area.  Again, there will be a greater need for additional homes.  To view the entire report that has ratings for all Beaufort and Jasper County public schools go to http://ed.sc.gov/data/report-cards/2011/district.cfm?ID=0701

To see the Hilton Head Island and Lowcountry real estate opportunities, you only need to click www.CharlesSampson.com

Search Hilton Head Real Estate

Here are some facts that may make today a better time to buy Hilton Head Island property than tomorrow. Supply and Demand! In 2011 and so far in 2012, each month has seen fewer active listings in our Hilton Head Island and Lowcountry market. Fewer active listings mean a lower Supply. For 2011 and continuing into 2012, the number of homes sold for the Hilton Head MLS market has led the state in the percentage of increase. In 2011 the Hilton Head market saw almost a 10% increase in number of sales over 2010. More sales mean more Demand.

The next few weeks, through mid April, will see a lot going on that will bring more visitors to Hilton Head Island and the South Carolina Lowcountry. The more visitors to our Island, the beaches, and golf courses will result in more buyers.

The upcoming calendar events for the Hilton Head Island area include: February 27th – The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Morris Russell will be performing “The Romantics: Brahms and Rachmaninoff“; March 5-10 is the Wine and Food Festival that has dining experiences all week long and ends Saturday, March 10th with one of the largest outdoor wine tasting events on the East Coast at Historic Honey Horn; March 5-12 is the Hilton Head International Piano Competition presented by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. Competitors range in age from 18 to 30 and are from around the world.  On March 11, the world famous Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade is where the Island turns green! On Saturday, March 17, there is another St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This one is in Savannah and it is reported to be the second largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the country! Because it is on a weekend, it will bring a good number of people to the Lowcountry. March 18 brings the Marsh Tacky Horse Races at the Beach at Coligny. Last year there were 4,000 to 5,000 people in attendance. Some of these folks will be buyers of race track/Beach front property!

The end of March and early April will see Spring Break and the Easter holiday visitors. April 8-15 is the RBC Heritage of Golf. The Heritage has world coverage through Golf Channel and CBS TV coverage. The Heritage has always been well attended and the PGA Pro’s just voted Harbour Town Golf Links as their second favorite course –second to the Augusta National and the Masters which is played the week prior to the Heritage. In addition to all the normal coverage, Hilton Head Island gets due to the RBC Heritage; this year there will be a second 18 page plus spread in the US Airways magazine. In December of 2011 the flight magazine featured 20 pages on the Hilton Head area “Arts.” The month long April issue will be about Hilton Head “the South Carolina Lowcountry a Golf Destination.” US Airways has 3200 flights per day and serves more than 200 communities in the US and worldwide. The magazine will be on each of these flights for all of April. I am proud to say Charter One Real Estate Company will have a full page ad at the very end of the Golf Destination editorial. The theme of our ad will be the total Hilton Head Island and Lowcountry Lifestyle and “Come for a Visit and Let Us Help you Stay for a Lifetime.”

The bottom line is that with all the visitors and publicity about Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry over the next few weeks, coupled with the small inventory, by mid April, the good properties that offer the best deals just may be picked over. The wisest Hilton Head Island Buyer may be the buyer of an Island or Lowcountry property who buys NOW!  It is easy to see all the real estate opportunities Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry have to offer.  They are just a click away at charlessampson.com.

Come for a Visit – Stay for a Lifetime!

“The mission of the Beaufort International Film Festival is to enliven the community by fostering and developing a rich appreciation for the art of filmmaking. It is also an opportunity to showcase the beautiful “film-friendly” region of Beaufort and the Carolina Sea Islands. For the past quarter of a century Beaufort has served as the backdrop for more than 20 major motion pictures, to include Forrest Gump, The Big Chill, The Prince of Tides, and many more. Through this festival we will reintroduce our sweeping marsh vistas, antebellum homes, and quiet charm of the old south to a new generation of filmmakers.”

While in Beaufort, South Carolina, you may want to check out the Parish Church of St. Helena which is celebrating it’s 300th year. The church is the oldest building in Beaufort. Also one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the country.   Yes, if you did go to the Cannes Film Festival you would be able to see older churches,  but in our United States the Parish Church of St Helena is about as old as it gets.

When you need a break from 5 days of the Film Festival and walking the Parish Church grounds a great thing to do would be to come across the river, check out and pick one of the affordable Hilton Head Island Real Estate values, a Beach Home or Condo or a Golf Villa or Home.  This way, next year you will either already be here for the 7 Annual Film Festival or you will have your Second Home or Island Condo and you will know where you will be staying. We at the Charles Sampson Real Estate Group of Charter One Realty will be glad to welcome you to our Island which has been our home since 1972.  To check all the values just click  www.CharlesSampson.com

Come for a Visit and Stay for a Lifetime!