SOLD! Motivated Sellers Want an Offer: 73 Isle of Palms

Motivated sellers who are relocating are looking for an offer on this stunning and spacious Palmetto Pointe home, complete with a private pool and spacious flexible floorplan. 

Beautiful curb appeal and lovely landscaping meet you at the front door.

An attention to detail makes this beautiful 5 bedroom, 3 bath home with more than 2900 square feet a tremendous deal both in this price range and in this area.  You simply can't build a new construction home with all of the features that this home offers, especially the hard-to-find private pool.  Located in the growing area just off Highway 170 in Palmetto Pointe, the home is within walking distance to Pritchardville Elementary and very close to the newly constructed River Ridge Academy, which houses grades K-8, and May River High School, slated to open in Fall 2016.

As you enter the home, you'll find a spacious formal dining room with a beautiful arched entry, that allows a separate entertaining space.  With wainscoting and lovely crown molding, the room feels formal and distinctive while remaining welcoming. 

Just down the hallway, a beautifully updated kitchen awaits.  The detail in the kitchen is what sets it apart: stunning cabinetry, granite countertops, and upgraded stainless steel appliances.

Ceiling height cabinets offer a tremendous amount of storage area, as does the attached pantry area. 

A breakfast bar, as well as an eat-in area next to the kitchen, offers plenty of room for entertaining and informal dining, and the kitchen's openness to the living area creates a spacious great room that is tough to rival.

Long and spacious, with beautiful wooden floors and anchored with a fireplace, this living area is flanked with windows and full of flexibility. Spacious enough to include everything you might need in a living area, the openness makes it a perfect area for entertaining and for comfortable living.

Rounding out the downstairs of this beautiful home is a laundry room, with plenty of room for additional storage, a powder room, and a beautiful master suite. The master suite features a tray ceiling, comfortable carpeting, and a spa-like master math with double sinks, a garden tub, glassed in tile shower, and a large walk-in closet.

The split floor plan, with the master suite downstairs and four other bedrooms upstairs, offers not only plenty of room for guests and family but also a separation that creates privacy.

One of the bedrooms upstairs could easily be used as a second master suite.  Currently being used as a theater room, it also shows the flexibility of this floor plan to suit any of your needs. The room could also be transformed into a playroom, hobby area, office, or stay a media room or man cave.

Another benefit of the upstairs area is a flexible loft area which could serve as a second living area or could also be turned into any number of spaces to suit your lifestyle. 

The flexible floor plan and incredible space of this home is amazing, but the thing that truly sets this home apart is its incredible backyard.  This home has a private pool, beautiful screened lanai with hot tub, and privacy fence alongside a gorgeous grassy front yard and side lawn alongside the pool. This is the perfect place to entertain and enjoy the Lowcountry life, without competing for pool space with neighbors or waiting on a homeowner's association to dictate the hours and days that the pool can be used. You can enjoy pool parties under the stars or dips in the hot tub on Christmas Eve, if you want, because you will be the only one who decides the schedule!

These motivated sellers are looking for an offer, as they are about to relocate.  Call Kristy Gonzalez at (843) 298-3808 to schedule a private showing or to ask any questions about the property.  With a reduced price, this property is sure to sell quickly!

Shop Local! My Favorite Bluffton Things

I am admittedly a little late for Small Business Saturday, but there's never a bad time to shop local.  Our local Lowcountry community is rich with talent and gifting opportunities that will keep your friends and family experiencing the heart of Bluffton and the spirit of Hilton Head for months to come.  If you're looking for a great gift idea or just a few new experiences for yourself, here's my list of favorite local spots!

Gigi's Boutique: The Place for Work or Play Clothes

Located in the heart of downtown Bluffton, Gigi's is a quintessential small town shop.  Trendy but approachable, Gigi's prides itself on being a "mother-daughter shop," meaning that people of all ages can find pieces that fit their budget and their style.  This family-owned business has been anchoring Bluffton's fashion scene since 2008; if you're looking for a great accessory or outfit for your favorite woman, Gigi's is the perfect place to visit.

Jiva Yoga: Find Your Zen and Your Zen Gear

When I have had one of those weeks--full of work and family obligations, with no time to breathe--I had to Jiva Yoga, one of my favorite places on the island.  You can find a great class to take--they offer classes at convenient times throughout the day--as well as all of the gear you need to take your yoga practice to the next level. 

The space is relaxing and inviting and with three locations (two on the island and one new location in Bluffton), you're sure to find the perfect class to release your stress and encourage fitness. A beginners workshop is offered, and a set of classes would make a great gift for a fitness-minded friend or a family member looking to improve health and wellness in the new year!

Shore Thing: Fun Gifts for Friends and Clients

Lovely personalized gifts can sometimes be tough to find, especially if you need a lot of them.  I love the local home business Shore Thing because they can deliver! I ordered gifts for my clients and friends this Thanksgiving, and Shore Thing did a wonderful job. They can do everything from small gifts to larger customized furniture orders, and the creativity is out of this world.  I love working with local craftspeople, and Vicki Cobey is one of the best!

Lowcountry Produce: What Christmas in South Carolina is Supposed to Taste Like

Lowcountry Produce is one of my go-tos for holiday gifts.  The world could use more pepper jelly, and I make it my mission to share the love with my family and friends.  The individual jars of jellies and jams are inexpensive, and Lowcountry Produce also has an array of delicious tasting Southern delicacies that are sure to set you apart, whether you are hosting a holiday party or bringing a hostess gift.  Ordering online makes it so convenient as well! I promise--you're going to want to stock up!

Eggs 'n' Tricities: Fun and Funky Fashion, Decor, and Art

Also nestled in Old Town Bluffton, this fun store features a vintage location and a funky attitude toward life. I love finding one-of-a-kind decor and art items here, often for very affordable prices, that help me put my special stamp on a room or on a gift. 

Sometimes, you just need to find something totally unique, and if that's the case then this little shop is the perfect place to go.  Eggs 'n' tricities is one of the shops that gives Bluffton its fabulous character and life--go visit!

Fiesta Fresh and Captain Woody's: Eat Good Food

 If you are what you eat, then you ought to eat awesome, right? I love Fiesta Fresh for a quick, delicious lunchtime option, so much better than the fast food options.  With a location on Hilton Head and in Bluffton, you won't be lacking for options to take clients, friends, or enjoy a lovely lunch with you and your favorite book. 

If you know me at all, you know that Captain Woody's is my favorite place for Sunday brunch. It's our family tradition, and I love its convenient location in the Promenade. With two stories and deck/patio seating, it's almost impossible not to love the atmosphere--and that doesn't even mention the food! I highly recommend this local eatery at any time of the day!

I'd love to hear what some of your favorite places are to visit and to shop in the Lowcountry--where can I visit next?

SOLD! Turnkey Bluffton Townhome: 242 North Street

It's tough to find a home in this price range, especially a turnkey townhome in the heart of Bluffton's growing Buckwalter area.  This 1280 square foot two bedroom, two and a half bath beauty sits in the quiet development of the Townes of Buckwalter, less than a mile to shopping, greenways and recreational trails, restaurants, and just a quick drive to the Bluffton school complex (which includes Bluffton Elementary, H.E. McCracken Middle School, and Bluffton High School, as well as another short drive from the newly constructed River Ridge Academy, which houses K-8 students, and the soon-to-open May River High School.  Its premium location and charming neighborhood, as well as its pristine condition, make this the perfect option for a starter home (or retirement property), a rental property, or a second home.

One of the benefits of this community is the beautiful landscaping, maintained by your HOA.  The shrubbery and grassy area create both privacy and comfort for homeowners.

The downstairs area offers a spacious living, dining, and kitchen area, as well as a powder room, perfect for entertaining while maintaining privacy. Tile offers easy maintenance and a pet friendly environment, and the flexible floor plan offers freedom to use the space in the ways that best suits you and your family.

Attached to the flexible and spacious living area is a lovely kitchen, complete with an island that offers an eat-in breakfast bar and separate pantry and laundry for extra storage.  The kitchen opens onto a covered patio, creating a perfect entertaining space for cookouts or lovely evenings enjoying the Lowcountry weather.

The patio backs up to a wooded area and offers some grassy space perfect for your two or four legged friends.  

Another benefit in this kitchen is the separate laundry room, which offers both extra storage and a way to keep household supplies out of sight.

The upstairs features two master suites, which opens up many options for rental or vacation home opportunities, or just offers plenty of space for your family.  Bright and open, the first master includes an attached bath with a spacious vanity and double sinks.

The second master is also roomy, with a lovely wooded view and a hall bath that can also double as a guest bath for visitors.  

This lovely turnkey townhome has been beautifully maintained and is perfect for anyone who is looking for a move-in ready home with very little maintenance.  Call Kristy Gonzalez at (843) 298-3808 to set up a private showing or with any questions you might have!

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!