Get the Advantage When Selling Your Home

Making the decision to sell your home, because you want to upgrade to a larger home for your growing family or downsize as your circumstances change, can be a very stressful one.  It's a leap of faith--will it sell? will you be able to sell it in the right timeline? will your agent be able to find the buyer that will love your home the way that you did?

I totally understand. Every time I meet with a new seller, I want them to feel like they are in good hands. I work for each seller as if they were my favorite neighbor or best friend--I want them to get the best price for their home in the shortest amount of time.

But even before that meeting, you can prepare yourself and your home in ways that can help to make my job easier.  Because I want everyone to be successful in the selling process, I'm offering a set of SEVEN selling tips that I have found can help you sell your home for the most amount in the shortest time.  While we will likely talk about all of these when we are in the process of getting your home ready to list, think about how far ahead of the game you will be if you've already started (or completed!) the process of preparing your home for sale!

These tips are free--just click here and sign up.  I'd love to hear what you think!

SOLD! 217 Pinecrest Circle: Affordable Golf Course Living with Beautiful Features

Nestled in the charming Bluffton community of Pinecrest, this beautiful stucco front 4BR home (three downstairs and an upstairs suite) offers plenty of amenities in a central location close to shopping and schools and lovely, updated living for today's busy lifestyle.

You can see the entire floor plan in this 3-D virtual tour:  http://youtu.be/0QSki_c_KM8

Lovely Living Area

The heart of this Pinecrest home is the open floor plan.  A wall of windows, complete with beautiful sliding doors that open to the large patio and backyard, overlooks the golf course and allows plenty of natural light into the room.  The large living area is the heart of this home, with the other rooms flowing off of it in a natural way that encourages conversation and interaction.  A large formal dining area sits to the side of an upgraded kitchen, separated by a half wall but which remains open to the rest of the space.  The kitchen, which includes a prep island and an eat-in area, also includes a breakfast bar, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a separate pantry area.  Attached to one side of the living room is a lovely Carolina room, a flexible space that can be adapted to serve as a playroom, hobby room, den, or office. 

Spacious Bedroom Retreats

Off the living area, three spacious bedrooms offer plenty of space for family members or guests.  The master bedroom is large and bright, with doors leading to the patio and plenty of lovely golf course views.  The master bath feels spa-like, with large tiled and glass shower, double sinks, and a spacious walk-in closet that offers plenty of storage.  The thing that sets these bedrooms apart is not only their space but their natural light. There's not a room that doesn't benefit from large windows and bright light!

Have frequent overnight guests? Love to entertain family and friends during the summer beach season? Have a teenager who wants some additional freedom or an extended family member who has come to live with you? The upstairs bonus area is perfect for just such a situation. A large bonus room and attached bath can serve as a bedroom suite, offering privacy and freedom.  The large bonus room could also easily be converted into a playroom, hobby room, or office space.

With low annual fees and a fantastic location, Pinecrest is a truly desirable neighborhood in Bluffton.  Give Kristy Gonzalez a call at 843-298-3808 to schedule an appointment. 

What If You Could NAME Your Price?

I'm not going to lie--I feel a little bit like a game show host.  Maybe that guy who stands on the stage and calls people up to guess a price of a product.  The Price is Right, right? And there you stand, knowing that if you come up with the right price, the prize is yours. 

But what if that price was one that YOU decided--and what if the prize was the quick sale of your house?

I know--it sounds crazy. But that's exactly the system we have in place at this site.  You name the price at which you'd feel comfortable selling your home.  I'll help you decide if that price is right for the neighborhood and the market--keeping your ideal price in mind the entire time--and help to match you with buyers who are looking for a home just like yours. The market here in the Lowcountry is hot--it's hard to find enough inventory for people looking for homes in certain price ranges, so you may find this to be the easiest way to match with a motivated buyer.

Take a look! Worst case scenario, nothing happens--and you're in the same position that you are in now. Best case? You sell your home to a buyer who will love it and you and I get to find you a home that better matches your needs. 

Pick a Pumpkin Patch!

One of my family's favorite fall traditions is probably one of your family's as well--visiting a pumpkin patch! We are very blessed to have quite a few local farms and pumpkin patches that help to bring fall to our neck of the Coastal woods.  Here are a few--and don't hesitate to share any that we haven't included!

Cahills: Of course, our favorite pumpkin patch to talk about is the one right in the heart of Bluffton, at Cahills.  Cahills is widely known for their amazing Southern comfort food and fresh produce, but when fall comes, they put on quite a show for the kids. As you drive down May River Road, it's impossible to miss--a giant haystack with a tunnel inside, scarecrows, and lots and lots of pumpkins. While you're there, you can pick up some of their famous homemade ice cream or sit down for a delicious lunch. 

Madrac Farms: Just a quick ride south, in Rincon, Madrac Farms is one of the only true pumpkin patches in the area.  Open Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays, the farm is transformed into a Fall Wonderland for kids during October.  For $5 (kids 2 and under are free!) for each person, kids of all ages can have unlimited access to farm animals (and feed them for a modest 50 cents), big wooden slide, two bounce houses, a pumpkin patch, hay rides, a five-acre corn maze, and a BIG 200 pound pumpkin.  Madrac Farms has farm fresh produce, food, and pumpkins (obviously!) for sale, but none of these delights are included in the price of admission. Come wearing closed-toed shoes and prepared to get DIRTY--and feel free to bring a picnic lunch if you'd like! General admission for the pumpkin patch is 10-2 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, or 10-6 for pumpkin sales only. 

Holiday Farms: Located in Ridgeland, just a quick drive north from Bluffton, Holiday Farms opens its Great Pumpkin Patch from October 1st to October 31st.  For a $10 admission (which INCLUDES a pumpkin!), you'll be able to see and participate in a variety of activities, including barrel racing, pig races (which happen daily at 11 am and 1pm), duck races, bounce houses, the "Haytona Speedway," corn grinding, steer roping, cow milking, a barnyard zoo, and, of course, a pumpkin patch.  New this year, Holiday Farms has a new barn, covered wagon, and picnic area. This fall fun fest is open from Monday to Thursday from 9-2 and on Friday and Saturday from 9 to dark, with the last hay ride leaving at 6pm.  Groups and military personnel get a discount--call ahead for group pricing. 

Dempsey Farms: Honorary mention to this lovely farm on St. Helena Island, which features u-pick crops year round.  Beginning October 7th, they will be open for pumpkin picking along with other fall crops.  This is the true u-pick experience, and is a local favorite for strawberries in the spring as well.  If you haven't taken this beautiful drive, treat yourself and pick out your very own pumpkin when you do!

Summer is over--what should you do for your home this fall?

We often get pretty excited to do spring cleaning, to clear out the remnants of winter and get ready to let the sunshine in. But do you do the same when the leaves start turning and a chill comes in the air? 

By Jean-Pol GRANDMONT (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

You should! Changing seasons (and time changes) can be great reminders to do some routine maintenance on your homes that will keep them safe and energy efficient for the coming cold weather.  Whether you live in the temperate south or the frigid north, you'd be wise to get a few key tasks done before the jack-o-lanterns and turkeys overtake your home.

Inspect Your Roof

Obviously, you should hire a qualified professional for this task, but fall and winter weather can often be very hard on your roof. Steady rains, freezing cold, and even sleet and snow can wreak havoc with your roof. Making sure that you get any small problems taken care of before bad weather comes and keep a small problem small and eliminate any potential emergencies later on in the season.

Clean Gutters and Direct Drainage

One way that you can help prevent future roof damage is to make sure that your gutters are clean and your downspouts are pointed in the right direction. Blocked gutters can cause rainwater to move onto your roof instead of quickly away, and any blockages can turn into ice blocks in colder weather.  Keeping your drainage directed in the correct way will keep excess water away from your foundation and windows, preventing leaks. 

Inspect Your Chimney/Fireplace

Make sure that nothing is blocking your chimney and that the damper works in your fireplace. Nobody wants to start a fire only to have their living room fill up with smoke! 

Get Heater Serviced

Get your heat pump or furnace inspected, to ensure that everything is working properly.  Doing so before the cold weather months can help you save money and, of course, keep you and your family comfortable during the most frigid months. Fixing any problems can also help you pay less in utility bills! 

Seal Cracks Around Doors and Windows

Has your weatherstripping around your doors broken down? Do you feel a draft from certain areas? Inspect your windows and doors and caulk/replace anything that is allowing cold air in.  This process could involve a simple Saturday afternoon DIY project or need more professional intervention--consult a professional if you are unsure about how to proceed.

What If You Could NAME Your Price?

It seems like a dream, doesn't it? To be able to name the price you'd be willing to sell your home for, and have a buyer respond--and not have to go through the hassle of guessing and hoping?

It's not actually a dream--it could be a reality.  I've set up a site that can help you do just that--name your price and hopefully match with local buyers who are looking for homes in that price range.  If it sounds a little bit like Real Estate Matchmaking, that's because it is! The fat is that the demand far exceeds the inventory in certain price ranges, and I'm looking for a way to match qualified buyers with homes as soon as I can.

By Lyn Lomasi (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

So if you've ever thought even a little bit about selling your home, name your price here! I'll be in contact and we can see if your home is a good fit for local area buyers--and if maybe you're actually in a better position to sell your home than you think!

SOLD! 4 Weather Shore: Luxury Lowcountry Living in Palmetto Dunes

Warm and welcoming, 4 Weather Shore offers plenty of charming curb appeal.

Palmetto Dunes is one of the area's most exclusive neighborhoods, home to luxury custom built homes with Lowcountry flair.  Finding an existing home on the market there, especially one built within the last five years, can be a challenge--but that is exactly what I have for you.  The home at 4 Weather Shore is a combination of beautiful waterfront design and thoughtful details, which creates a home that is full of natural light, flexible space, and plenty of room for entertaining. 

Flanked by beautiful landscaping, this luxury home feels even more private.

Perfect for the Outdoor Lover

One of the the things that makes this home so perfect is its ability to maximize the space both on the inside and the outside.  Multiple outdoor spaces, along with waterfront access, make this the perfect home for an outdoor love. A covered front porch, with plenty of room for wide rockers and porch swings, greets you--but that is just the beginning.

 

 

 In the backyard, you'll find not only an enormous amount of green space for four or two-legged friends to play, or for you to plant a garden, or for spacious parties under the stars, but you'll also find a stunning heated pool and spa.

Imagine swimming under those beautiful trees, with the shade keeping you cool on a summer day.

The size of the backyard is really incredible, and offers multiple options for you. Surrounded by mature trees and beautifully landscaped, it's also ready for entertaining and play immediately.

Soccer games, party tents, garden plots--your imagination is your only limit.

The spaces beneath the balconies also offer additional shaded outdoor space, perfect for lounge chairs for reading and areas for great conversation during an outdoor party.  By far the best part of this outdoor space, however, is the dock that sits on the 11-mile navigable lagoon.  No waiting for kayak adventures, no need to strap them to a vehicle--head out whenever the mood strikes you and store them in your three-car garage.

The dock also offers seating for visitors or for peaceful contemplation closer to the water.

Incredible Living Space

This custom built home truly combines luxury living with thoughtfulness to create a unique, flexible living space.  With all of these options, you'll be able to entertain, live, and work from your home, if that's your choice.  The home was built in 2012, and features 6 bedrooms, 5 full bathrooms and 2 half baths.  In addition to a formal living room with fireplace and a formal dining room, you'll also find a beautiful, light-filled family room and morning room, along with a stunning kitchen and screened in porch.

The formal dining room features beautiful built ins and an open flow to the rest of the house. 

The beautiful fireplace, stunning view, and interesting architectural details set the living room apart.

In the family room and kitchen, you'll find long, lovely window seats that take advantage of the stunning lagoon view.  The entire home capitalizes not only on the beautiful view but on the incredible light.  Windows on the hallway mean that the views are not stopped by the living room or family room walls--they continue through the entry to the front door.

Beautiful and bright, the family room allows the view to extend into the hall, and is open to the other first floor rooms.

The window seats are perfect for daydreaming and also offer extra seating for entertaining.

The circular morning room, just off the kitchen, is the perfect place to enjoy a few moments before the day begins, reading the paper or chatting with family and friends.

 This thoughtfulness gives the entire home a coastal, beachy feel--which is maximized by the cedar shake circular staircase that serves as the heart of the home.  Unique, impressive, and a design feature on its own, the staircase comes down into a hallway just off the kitchen.

Grand and spacious, the staircase leads right into the heart of the home--the kitchen.

Truly, this kitchen is extraordinary.  Built for entertaining and serving as the heart of this coastal home, it features commercial grade stainless steel appliances, a hidden cabinet refrigerator, a stunningly spacious center island that seats at least four and offers an enormous amount of prep space for the amateur chef in your life, and beautiful bright light from windows that overlook the lagoon and feature a large window seat. 

The island also features lit glass cabinets.

Can you imagine this as your kitchen view? 

The kitchen also has a beautiful eat-in area, with a fireplace, a butler's pantry, and a half-bath to accommodate guests.  

The eat-in area of the kitchen is large enough to accommodate many friends, family, and out-of-town guests.

A screened-in porch with fireplace provides another beautiful place for entertaining.

Bedroom Retreats

Six bedrooms offers plenty of room for family and friends, and you'll likely be loving your role as host when you have these beautiful rooms to offer.  A downstairs master offers plenty of space to someone who doesn't want to tackle the stairs, along with a fun bunk room that the young (or young at heart!) will love, attached to a media room with its own kitchen.  Because of its flexibility, this bunk room/media room combo could easily become an in-law suite or teenager suite, providing both space and independence.

Bathed in natural light, the downstairs master has access to the deck.

Every bathroom in this home feels like a spa retreat; the downstairs master bath is no different.

The bunk room is both fun and sophisticated, with options because of its connection to the media room, which features a kitchen.

Upstairs, four more bedroom provide beautiful, peaceful retreats for family or friends. 

A cozy office, set off from the main living areas upstairs, allows for privacy and peace while working.

The nautical theme feels appropriate, since this home is so close to the water.

The upstairs master bedroom is stunning, with a circular sitting room attached and a truly spa-like bathroom. The attached deck offers incredible views of the lagoon and the backyard.  

The spacious master is truly a retreat.

This master bath features upgraded features throughout.

This bright sitting room could be used as an office, a nursery, or an exercise area--whatever best suits your needs.

Beautiful deck access offers privacy and beauty, right off the master.

 This home is one that you truly can't appreciate until you see it for yourself. Give Kristy Gonzalez a call at (843) 298-3808 to schedule an appointment.