Hilton Head Monthly Voice Voice of the Lowcountry 
SHOULD YOU CONSIDER REFINANCING?
Mortgage rates in August hit an 18-month low. The Federal Reserve has begun to lower the central bank rate for the first time in eight years. Inflation is very low and appears to be stable — this is all good news for mortgage rates.
Borrowers with excellent credit have seen quotes for 30-year fixed loans as low as 3.75% with no points. All other rate quotes are also lower for second homes, investment properties, VA loans and FHA loans.
Peggy Parker is a gardener with an endearing, oversized personality. She brings out the best in the array of plants she grows and the people with whom she engages — and there are many of both.
She is conventional and unconventional; she is who she is. She loves symmetry, order, creativity and adventure. Nowhere is this more evident than her garden.
Ah, life in a small village: Charming architecture, lush landscapes and green spaces, and friendly neighbors who greet you with a smile.
Welcome to Palmetto Bluff!
“Palmetto Bluff is a very unique place,” homeowner Tina Yaraghi said. “I call it my personal Mayberry. My little happy place. When we go there, we go into a different state of mind. We decompress. It’s a getaway in every sense of the word.”
CLEMSON NOW ACCEPTING MASTER GARDENER APPLICANTS
The Clemson Extension Service is accepting applications for its 2019-20 Master Gardener training class sessions. The cost is $300 and includes all materials. The 2019 classes will be held 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays from Aug. 13 to Oct. 29 at Hilton Head Island Public Service District, 21 Oak Park Drive, Hilton Head Island. The January 2020 classes will be held 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays at the Clemson Extension Office, 18 John Galt Road, Beaufort. For more information and to register, email Laura Lee Rose at lrose@clemson.edu or call 843-473-6025.
When searching for a real estate professional, many people start their search by talking with family or friends. People you know and trust who have used a real estate professional in the past often can provide recommendations. It’s a good idea to interview more than one real estate professional. You want to be confident you’ll have a good rapport with your Realtor.
Every industry has its own jargon, and real estate is no different. It can all seem like a confusing word salad for those new to the business. We’ve compiled a list of common terms you’re likely to encounter.
COUPLE’S GARDEN STILL THRIVING DESPITE WALLOP FROM TWO HURRICANES
Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch created his “The Garden of Earthly Delights” in oil on a triptych oak panel. Homeowners Mark and Renee Woodruff put theirs in their Windmill Harbour backyard, and its bright colors and imaginative design were on full display during the annual All Saints Garden Tour, held in May.
Sgt. Major Donna Dunbar of Bluffton, a retired Marine and successful Realtor, passed away last month. Originally from Washington, D.C., she was a member of the Coastal Group at Charter One Realty and specialized in helping military families find homes.
CHARTER ONE EARNS TOP NOD FROM REAL TRENDS
Charter One Realty has been ranked as one of the nation’s top brokerages by REAL Trends 500. With more than 130 agents and 11 offices throughout the Lowcountry, Charter One Realty is also one of the largest independent firms in the nation with more than $900 million in sales last year. Rankings are based on those firms who choose to participate, and then listed by closed transaction sides and closed sales volume.
Many homeowners find themselves eyeing their homes, wondering if it’s time for an update.
One of the easiest ways is to redo a kitchen or bathroom, changing the color scheme, textures, materials, finishes, fixtures and hardware and adding furnishings, architectural details and smart technology. And while some trends come and go, many Lowcountry interior designers have crafted a coastal aesthetic with staying power — one that still embraces some of the design trends popping up around the country.
