Author Archives: Chip Collins
What is My Home REALLY Worth? Insights on Valuation
By Chip Collins “What’s my home worth?” ranks among the top questions homeowners have, especially as they get closer to possibly selling. Here’s what you need to consider when imagining what your home might be worth. Automated Valuation Models (AVM’s) are a data-based tool real estate sites use to offer estimated property value. Zillow’s Zestimate... Read More
Navigating New Real Estate Laws & Practices
By Chip Collins On August 17, 2024, significant changes were introduced by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), impacting how real estate transactions are conducted. These new rules are designed to enhance transparency and fairness but require buyers, sellers, and licensed real estate agents to adapt to new processes. One of the updates affecting buyers is the requirement for a signed written agreement before a... Read More
A Strategic Approach to Selling Your Home
By Chip Collins Moving is stressful… on that we can all agree! But the stress isn’t fully defined by the physical move itself. Rather, it’s often an accumulation of all the important decisions that need to be made along the way to the move. In our world of advising homeowners, we look at these decisions... Read More
3 Strategies for Sellers to Secure the Best Offer on Their Home
Written by Chip Collins, Broker-in-ChargeCollins Group Realty Selling a home can be a complex process, requiring thoughtful preparation and strategic planning to ensure a smooth transaction and the best possible offer. Here are three essential strategies that sellers should consider to maximize their chances of success. Establishing Clear Terms Early On One of the most... Read More
What Will Shape Real Estate in 2024
2024 Real Estate Market Steering Factors by Chip Collins In 2023, the market year was highlighted by three I’s: Inventory, Interest Rates, and Insurance, all of which shaped client discussions, decisions, and directives. We took a deeper dive into these topics to see how they will shape and steer real estate in the Lowcountry this coming year.... Read More
2023 Real Estate Wrap-Up
Market Stats, Perspectives, and Insights from 2023 2023… The market year highlighted by three I’s: Inventory, Interest Rates, and Insurance, all of which shaped client discussions, decisions, and directives over the course of the year. Despite these challenging elements, the Lowcountry experienced a strong overall market, yielding year-over-year increases in both Median and Average Sales Prices.... Read More
Navigating the New Year: Insights from the Hangover Week
As the clock struck midnight ushering in the year 2024, many found themselves eagerly anticipating what the new year had in store. Let’s delve into the unique dynamics of the Hilton Head & Bluffton, South Carolina real estate market during what is affectionately referred to as the “Hangover week.” The term “Hangover week” describes the... Read More
Money Saving Tips for House Buying and House Keeping in 2023
As we start the new year and are ready for a fresh start, here are five things to think about that are healthy for both you and your home! 1). GOODBYE PMI With a rise in market values, equity in your home may have climbed to the point where you no longer need to pay... Read More
Top 5 Tips to a Successful Hilton Head Home Search
Shopping for a home, villa, homesite, etc. can be a lot of fun!! But it can also be a little tricky when you try to drive the search process entirely on your own. Our website displays all the listings our local MLS pushes out on its data feed, plus the site offers convenient search... Read More
3 Factors Shaping Real Estate This Fall
After a wild and unprecedented pace of real estate sales over the past two years, there are a lot of questions bouncing around about what’s new and next in the Lowcountry real estate market. Well, from the “front line” of the marketplace where buyers, sellers, agent and properties come together, this is what we are... Read More