Already in the first 40 days of ’12, our buyers have signed 28 new contracts to purchase properties on Kiawah! If we annualize these numbers, this is a 25+% increase in the number of buyers this year as compared with last year. And this calculation is based on winter sales activity, which is usually our slowest time for attracting buyers!

Even though we are early into the ’12 market, it may still be worth noting the mix of different types of properties buyers are focusing on so far: 9 Vacation/rental villas & cottages; 4 lots; and 15 single-family homes. This “mix” is quite similar to all of last year’s preferences as single-family homes top the buyers’ choice of purchase.

Last year 49% of the 201 buyers bought single-family homes on Kiawah vs. 54% so far this year; in ’11 20% of buyers bought lots vs. 14% early in ’12; and 32% of this year’s first buyers bought vacation villas & cottages compared to 31% in ’11.

Now, what about the prices? Gone are the days when a buyer could come into my office and offer 25% below list price and still get the attention of our sellers. They were able to do this shortly after the end of ’08 when the national housing bubble burst, but they are seldom successful 3 years later. Keep in mind all real estate markets are unique. In past years (’09, ’10) we still had a lot of over-priced properties on the market that were left over from the pre-2008 boom market on Kiawah. And in many cases, buyers rightfully could expect and get a discount off of those unrealistic list prices.

But today, selling prices have definitely firmed up, inventories are starting to shrink, and prices have started to creep up at bit. For the past 3 years, serious sellers have struggled to find the market by gradually reducing their asking prices. One of the reasons for this shift in today’s market is that sellers are taking more of a firm position when negotiating. An indication of this is many won’t respond to low-ball offers because they just don’t want to go much lower. (note: last year our office wrote nearly 100 contracts for buyers that sellers would not accept!). Most of our sellers are now in tune with the market because they’ve struggled for the past 3 years to find the market by gradually reducing their asking prices. Kiawah’s serious sellers now have their properties realistically priced today and are able to offer buyers a great value at, or very near their asking price.

Another credible factor during this time has been the resiliency and financial strength of the Kiawah community as a whole. As a community, we have weathered the economic challenges of the past 3 years better than most. Having a debt-free master developer and resort owner has had a lot to do with this confidence. Financial strength and stability in tough times is very important to new buyers who have many options available to them when it comes to where they place their money. I believe many Kiawah buyers also sense we are at the bottom of our market. And they have become more comfortable this year by responding positively with their stored up cash. They know and love Kiawah and feel now may be the time to make their move.

And while our buyers and sellers were getting back in sync with our local market, our lending institutions were also going through a learning curve of their own. As distressed properties sold off and market confidence began to slowly improve, our thrift institutions began to get back in business and redefine their lending practices. Consequently, today our qualified buyers finally have access to financing rates and terms our generation has never seen before. This cheap money is now making our existing buying opportunities on Kiawah even more affordable than ever.

With all this being said, I believe the stars are now aligned in a new direction to move us into a new market of opportunity on Kiawah…..excellent prices, great selection of properties, well-established and credible community with awesome amenities, historically low interest rates for long-term financing needs, all located in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

In addition to the dynamics of our real unique estate market, when Kiawah owners look around at other communities, they realize we have so much to be grateful for! Our community has a debt-free developer (KDP) a resort owner/operator (KGR) both of whom have already kept their promises by completing over 95% of our 30-year master plan, they’ve built and are operating a 5-star ocean front hotel and spa. Both owners have a long-term vision to continue to collectively improve our community and our way of life in a first class manor year after year.

All this is further coupled with Kiawah’s financially strong community governments represented in the Town of Kiawah, our Kiawah Community Association, and the Kiawah Architectural Review Board. They all enable us to offer a very complete package of services to our current owners as well as our new neighbors yet to come. And let’s also not forget the beautiful City of Charleston. Right down the road just 30 minutes away. This year she beat out San Francisco as the #1 Best City in America! The sun is truly shining on Kiawah!

Now, if all of this is not enough to be excited about this New Year…..this summer, Kiawah gets to “strut her stuff” on the world stage of the golfing community as we all prepare to host the first “Major” to be held in South Carolina…the 2012 PGA Championship (August 4-12)! It will be played on “the most difficult golf course in the United States” our Ocean Course…and be televised around the world to millions.

How great will all this be? It’s early, but I think it’s going to be a great year!

My 2012 wish to you all is that the New Year be full of special opportunities for all of you to have your loved ones close by to help create new and special times to be remembered forever.  And may God bless our men and women who are in the service of our country around the world.  Have a very happy holiday season this year and a very happy, healthy, and great New Year!

See you on Kiawah in the New Year!

Whether you are a potential buyer, a serious seller, or just a currious Kiawah owner, this popular, weekly, e-mail report will give you acurate, timely information about each and every sale when they happen on Kiawah.

You will learn how many homes, villas, and lots are listed for sale on Kiawah at any given point in time. Also, who’s marketing & sales team (KIRE vs. MLS?) attracted the most number of buyers for the week..and for the year?….Where did the buyers buy?…What was the sales  price?…….and much more.

To my knowledge, no other report gives you a complete real estate sales summary every week like this one!  I believe this free report could become one of your favorite ways of staying up to date on ALL real estate sales activity taking place on Kiawah Island.

Of course, whenever you have questions or need additional details, I hope you know you can always call me direct (843-768-3403) or just drop me an e-mail. (ghillock@kiawah.com)

Both of these are strong indicators that the Island’s available home inventory and prices have stabilized and we are likely to see pressure on prices to rise. The villa and homesite markets are expected to follow this trend, especially given the exposure the 2012 PGA will bring to our fabulous Island.

Lastly, KIRE is significantly outperforming its off-island MLS competition. Since January 2011, KIRE has brought 129 buyers to Kiawah’s sellers as compared to only 34 for all MLS companies combined. And only KIRE has sold properties above $2.5 million this year.

When its time to either buy or sell your Kiawah home, contact a Kiawah Island Real Estate Sales Executive for the best service, best results, and best experience. Until then, enjoy the most recent Just Solds.

The fall season on Kiawah represents many things – cooler temperatures, an ever-changing landscape, and holidays spent with family and friends. Kiawah Island Real Estate’s Annual Fall Tour of Homes is a tradition for those who spend their Thanksgiving holiday here.

Guests are invited to join KIRE on Friday, November 25^th to explore a variety of the Island’s most recent selection of premier listings. This year’s tour features 16 homes, each with its own unique architectural design, interior décor, and striking views. For a list of participating homes, click here.

Following the tour, guests are invited to the Main Sales Center for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Guests who visit eight or more homes and have their tickets validated will have a chance to win four Saturday Grounds Passes to South Carolina’s first-ever major, the 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in August 2012. The winner, who must be present to win, will be announced at 6:30 p.m.

2011 Fall Tour of Homes Schedule
Date:  Friday, November 25
Tour:  1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Reception:  5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Reception Location:  1 Kiawah Island Parkway

The tour and reception are complimentary and open to all Kiawah Island property owners and their guests. The reception fills up quickly and is limited to the first 300 to RSVP, so please hurry and call Judy Percival at (843) 768-3438 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .  

We look forward to seeing you and celebrating the holidays with you soon!

109 Flyway Drive, an incredible renovation designed by Christopher Rose Architects and built by Royal Indigo Construction, is the innovation of Dyal Compass development and is Kiawah’s first environmentally friendly home.

During this episode, Southern Lens will follow Dyal Compass as they undertake the renovation of the home and remake it into an equally beautiful and unique ocean-view retreat, and a sustainable paradise within the natural setting of Kiawah Island. Viewers will watch as the builders and architects use environmentally sound materials and building practices, and incorporate “green thinking” in a way that stays true to Kiawah’s vision.

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Resort Community Sees First-Quarter Sales Reach $63.2 Million

Real estate sales at the private, residential resort development of Kiawah Island continued the positive momentum gained in 2010 by exceeding first-quarter sales from a year ago.

Kiawah Island Real Estate (KIRE), the real estate brokerage company for Kiawah Island, reported 42 new sales with a total dollar volume of $63.2 million during the first three months of 2011. In comparison, KIRE sold 39 properties for a total of $61.1 million in the first-quarter of 2010.

“The bottom of the market is definitely in our rearview mirror,” said Chris Drury, President and Broker-In-Charge of KIRE. “Based on these figures and historical sales trends, Kiawah is experiencing a rising market where inventory is available and prices reflect a value consumers cannot afford to miss.”

First-quarter sales figures reflect the second-home market at Kiawah Island, the barrier island located 21 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina, has recovered from the economic recession of the past several years. Further evidence is data within historical sales figures that indicate Kiawah is in the second year of a four year rising market. Dating back to 1990, real estate sales history shows that when Kiawah experiences a distressed market, a three to four year rising market follows. Last year was the beginning of a rising market where sales increased 51% over 2009.

“Recent sales performance numbers underscore Kiawah’s competitive muscle in the market place,” said Diana Permar, President of Permar Inc., a real estate market research and advisory firm based in Charleston, SC. “Over the past two decades, Kiawah has consistently achieved among the highest sales volumes amongst coastal communities at top of the market pricing.”

Permar Inc. tracks real estate trends for residential, recreational and resort communities throughout the southeast. It indicated that Kiawah’s success can at least in part be attributed to the quality of the community’s master plan, the strength of the company’s fundamental development strategy, and a high ratio of linear feet of beach to developable land.

Kiawah Island Real Estate is the sole real estate broker with offices on Kiawah Island. Its 22 agents exclusively offer homesites, villas, cottages and single-family residences, many with views of the Atlantic Ocean or Kiawah River and the surrounding marsh lands. For more information, visit www.Kiawah.com or call (843) 768-3400.

Kiawah Partners is the master developer of Kiawah Island, a 10,000-acre barrier island located 21 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina. The company’s subsidiaries include Kiawah Island Real Estate; The Kiawah Island Club, which encompasses the Tom Fazio-designed River Course, the Tom Watson-designed Cassique, The Beach Club by Robert A.M. Stern, The Sports Pavilion, and Sasanqua, the Members-only spa; Freshfields Village; The Lodge at Doonbeg in Ireland; and Christophe Harbour in St. Kitts.