If you’re looking into buying a home in South Carolina, you’re in good company. The state has some fabulous beaches, great food, and friendly people. You should enjoy the Southern hospitality that’s much in evidence all around the state.
You may target the Hilton Head area. The properties there might appeal when you take a close look and see the many amenities they offer. You should consider a few factors as you peruse the properties there, though. We will talk about some of them right now.
Should You Move into an Age-Restricted Community?
In Hilton Head, you will find some age-restricted communities. You probably could not accurately use the term “retirement communities,” but some do have age restrictions, usually starting at age 55 for residents.
You might look at Sun City, for instance. The many Sun City Hilton Head homes for sale you’ll find should delight you. If you move into one, you will have a thriving older adult community all around you, so you won’t feel lonely.
If you want many friends nearby, you might think about this option. One of the communities built for older residents may work well, but if you’re more antisocial, you might want a property where you won’t have so many neighbors.
Do You Want a Marina Nearby?
You can get out on the water if you live near Hilton Head. Many people move there or visit because they love boating and fishing. You can always fish off a dock, but what about boat owners? If you own a boat in Hilton Head, you must keep it somewhere.
You can always leave it in your driveway unless you have a larger vessel where that is not a viable option. If you have a larger boat and you take it out often, you should probably find a home with an affordable marina close by.
That way, you can access your boat when you need it, and you’ll know the marina staff will care for it as well. This consideration might feel essential if you love boating and you prize your vessel very much.
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Can You Afford the Property?
You should also think about how much cash you have available as you scout around for houses in Hilton Head. You may have money for a down payment, but can you afford the monthly mortgage payments as well?
Even if you can, can you afford the property taxes? You should look into how much you’ll pay in property taxes each year before you buy a house there. You must also pay school taxes. Even if you have no kids in school, you have to pay those taxes, and they can get pretty costly.
If you determine that you probably can’t afford the monthly mortgage payments, property taxes, and school taxes, then you might look for a more affordable house, or you might rent rather than buy. If you rent, you will pay no school taxes or property taxes, though you will not build up any equity either.
Do You Have Neighbors Close By?
You should think about your neighbors if you find a house in Hilton Head that you like. Before you put in a serious bid on the property, you might knock on each neighbor’s door and see who lives there. If you have some distance between your house and theirs, whether you like them or not won’t matter so much. In some parts of Hilton Head, though, your home and the ones on either side might almost teach each other.
If you are in that situation, you might not enjoy finding out after you’ve bought the property that your neighbor likes blasting rock music at three in the morning. You can visit the neighborhood several times before you put in an offer, including at night. If it’s very noisy at certain times, you might reconsider. If that kind of thing bothers you, you should find out whether that is going to happen before you get serious about buying the place.
Does the House Have Every Feature You Need?
If you’re house-hunting, you will likely have a list of things that you feel your home needs. That might include a garage, a finished basement, or a large yard. Maybe you want a nice public park within walking distance or a grocery store not far away. Make sure your house has the features you need and that you have everything you require around it as well.
