Hilton Head Island is a stunning oasis off the coast of South Carolina. This island, characterized by its Lowcountry landscape, is home to over 40,000 people year-round and 2.5 million visitors every year.
People from all around the United States and the rest of the world visit Hilton Head Island each year for its natural beauty and many attractions. The promise of white-sand beaches, stunning sunsets, and recreation lure many singles, couples, and families to the island. Some people love it so much that they choose to stay year-round or return for vacation every year.
Hilton Head Island has great potential for real estate investors looking to diversify their financial portfolios. We will discuss all of the reasons as to why you should invest in Hilton Head Island real estate in this guide. You’ll learn everything about what the island has to offer, and more.
Good Financial Investment
Investing in real estate is not something to be taken lightly. Investors need to know that their investments will be able to thrive and grow their wealth. While this is almost always impossible to guarantee, Hilton Head Island is one of the few places where it is possible.
Hilton Head Island is a popular location for real estate investment because of its relatively low buy-in prices, increasing appreciation, and high demand. You can confidently invest your money in Hilton Head Island.
Cheaper Than Other High-Profile Areas
Real estate is a great investment, but it can be costly. The prices of homes, apartments, and condominiums around the United States are rising, making it more difficult for people to invest. Investors need to seek out more affordable areas of investment and Hilton Head Island is a prime location.
Many real estate investors limit themselves to only investing in high-profile vacation destinations like Florida, New York, and California. Here, they encounter high demand for property in exchange for high prices.
Malibu, California is a prime example. Malibu is one of the most star-studded destinations in the country. Many Americans travel to Malibu to experience the vacation lifestyle. Yet, few people can afford to purchase a vacation home in Malibu. The average single-family home price in Malibu is $3.8 million. In comparison, the average sold home price on Hilton Head Island is $430,000. Hilton Head Island homes are significantly cheaper than homes in Malibu, meaning you get to save and still get the luxurious home you want.
Increasing In Value
Real estate is one of the best financial investments you can make. Typically, as your property ages, it gains appreciation. As a result, you have more money in your financial portfolio. And, if you ever decide to sell, you can expect to make more from the sale.
The real estate market on Hilton Head Island has proven this to be true.
Hilton Head Island’s real estate market has been hot for the past several years, but it has never seen as much growth as it did during 2021. In the last 12 months alone, the appreciation rate has gone up 18.8%. This is much higher than the national average of 14.5%. Hilton Head Island is abundant with opportunities to grow your wealth.
The upward trend shows no sign of slowing down, especially in the Port Royal Plantation and Sea Pines neighborhoods. These two neighborhoods have seen the most appreciation on the entire island because they are in demand amongst buyers.
Investors can expect the value of their property to continue to rise as more people search for homes away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Gain Profit From A Vacation Rental
There is great potential to increase your cash flow when you purchase a home on Hilton Head Island. Over 2.5 million tourists visit Hilton Head Island every year and they all need a place to stay. While many tourists may book a hotel room, many choose to rent a home, condo, or apartment so they can truly experience the Hilton Head Island lifestyle.
This is where investors can use their homes, condos, or apartments as short-term rentals for tourists. It’s a great way to increase your cash flow and pay off your mortgage!
Every size and type of vacation rental performs well and earns a great deal of cash. According to a report done by evolve, two-bedroom rentals in the 50th percentile can earn an average of $26,000 a year. A four-bedroom rental in the 50th percentile could earn $97,000. The average yearly earnings have undoubtedly increased since the report was published in 2018.
You can earn a profit by renting your property to interested vacation renters. And, if it’s your second property, you could even rent it all year round. Being a landlord may seem like an unappealing requirement to renting out your property, but you don’t have to manage the responsibility alone—there are many property management companies in the Hilton Head Island area that can manage your property for you. Their professionals can handle rental requests, collect rent, and send cleaners to clean your property between tenants.
An Attractive Vacation Lifestyle
Hilton Head Island is the most popular vacation destination in South Carolina—and for good reason. The sweeping Lowcountry landscape, temperate weather, and 360° ocean views promise relaxation and bliss for everyone that visits.
The island is more than just relaxing resorts—there are also plenty of opportunities for excitement. Get a burst of adrenaline as you wakeboard on the Calibogue Sound or try to beat your score at one of the world-class golf courses on the island.
Whether you want to relax in the sun or go sightseeing, you can have it all when you invest in Hilton Head Island real estate.
Escape To Your Vacation Home
When you purchase a property on Hilton Head Island, you are buying the vacation lifestyle. Your property promises a warm, secluded place that you can escape to anytime you’d like.
Property on the Beach
When many people think of vacation, they think of the beach. They aspire to visit luxurious resorts positioned right on the beach, allowing them to step foot into the sand from the moment they open their door. But what if you didn’t have to go to a resort to experience this sort of luxury?
Many properties on Hilton Head Island are located directly on the beach, allowing you to fulfill your fantasies of seeing the ocean every day.
While laying in bed, enjoying a meal around the dinner table, or sitting on your couch, you can enjoy views of the beach out your windows. And, whenever you feel the urge to feel sand between your toes or take a dip in the ocean, you just need to open your door.
You Can Make a Splash
Hilton Head Island is located off the coast of South Carolina, positioned directly between the Atlantic Ocean and Calibogue Sound. Residents and visitors alike have unlimited access to the water. Whether you’re an avid boating enthusiast or you want to go for a dip, you will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water.
Calibogue Sound is a popular place for people wanting to spend a day on the water. This 13-mile divides Hilton Head Island and Daufuskie Island, connecting the Atlantic Ocean to Port Royal Sound. Thanks to its sheltered location between the island and the mainland, Calibogue Sound has become a population location for paddle boarding, sailing, and wake surfing. Wild dolphins are also known to frequent the area, so make sure to keep an eye out for them!
Close To Public Beaches
On Hilton Head, there is never a beach far away. Most neighborhoods are built around the beach, meaning residents can enjoy quick access to one of the fantastic beaches on the island.
There are eight beaches on the island: Coligny Beach, Driessen Beach Park, Folly Field Beach Park, Islander’s Beach Club, Sea Pines Beach Club, Palmetto Dunes Beach, Alder Lane, and Burke’s Beach. Each beach has its unique benefits.
Rated one of the top beaches in the USA, Coligny Beach has everything you could ever want. There is a large open area for you and your family to set up chairs, umbrellas, changing stations, and showers to rinse off the sand. Volleyball nets and splash pads will offer hours of fun for your family. It is no surprise why most island residents and visitors love Coligny Beach.
Recreation
When you buy a home on Hilton Head, you can trust that you will always have something to do. There are plenty of exciting recreational activities available across the island for you and your family to enjoy.
A wonderful way to enjoy the island is traveling on foot or on a bike. There are miles of hiking and biking trails that traverse the island, allowing you to easily get from one corner to another. These trails also connect a variety of areas; you can easily travel between residential, commercial, and recreational areas along one of these well-maintained trails. And, you can enjoy some of the best the island has to offer along the way.
In addition to biking and hiking, golf is one of the most popular pastimes on Hilton Head.
Since Arnold Palmer won the first RBC Heritage tournament on Hilton Head in 1969, the island has become one of the most famous places in the United States (many would argue the world) to play a round of golf. Thankfully, the golf courses are not limited to PGA celebrities like Palmer himself. Residents can play 9 or 18 holes of golf at one of the 23 public and private golf courses on the island.
You can tee off at one of the most popular golf courses in the world. We highly recommend Harbour Town Gold Lines, Robert Trent Jones Course, and Atlantic Dunes at the Sea Pines Resort.
If you want to get your blood pumping, you can skip the golf and stop by one of the many squash, pickleball, and tennis courts on the island. Many are open to the public and others require a resort membership.
Whether you buy a home in Palmetto Dunes or Sea Pines, you will always have something to do. Your family will love living an active, healthy, and exciting life on Hilton Head Island.
Exciting Events
Car Shows
Golf Tournaments
The RBC Heritage golf tournament is another iconic Hilton Head event. Some of the best pro golfers in the world gather on Hilton Head Island for a week to compete. All the while, hundreds of thousands of people watch in the crowd, waiting for another historic sporting moment to be made.
Golf-lovers dare not miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the RBC Heritage tour live and in person. It is a week of excitement, thrill, and fun.
Cuisine
Food lovers rejoice over Hilton Head’s food festivals. These exciting events celebrate flavor as you’ve never seen before. From classic Lowcountry cuisine to exotic dishes from around the world, you can enjoy it all.
The Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival is a popular favorite among locals. Wines from South Carolina, the United States, and beyond are showcased and available at this event. Wines are paired with delicious dishes made from local food to satisfy the palate.
A perk of Hilton Head’s coastal location is its decadent seafood. Hilton Head Seafood Festival celebrates the east coast’s rich fishing heritage over seven days. You can enjoy celebrity guest dinners, cooking demos, wine tastings, scholars, and more. All the while, you can enjoy mouth-watering oysters, fish, crab, and more cooked over barbecues and bonfires.
Arts & Culture
Hilton Head Island is filled with many talented individuals. Musicians, artists, and writers reside here, inspired by the natural beauty of the landscape. To celebrate their talent and everything they offer the community, many arts, and cultural events are held every year, including the Shelter Cove Harbour Arts Festival.
Every year, the Shelter Cove Harbour Arts Festival is held in Shelter Cove, the centerpiece neighborhood of the island. Over 100 artists showcase their work. There are a variety of mediums to admire pottery, glass, wood, metal, paint, and photography. You may be able to buy a piece for your home!
There is always something happening on Hilton Head, and island residents can enjoy prime access to all the excitement. Whether you are here permanently or own a short-term rental, you will always have a place to stay to attend the events. And, if you decide to skip the excitement, you can rent your property out to some of the many excited tourists looking for a place to stay.
A Good Place For Your Family
When you buy real estate, you are buying more than a home or condo. You are buying a place for your family to live, grow, and thrive. It’s important that you choose a community that is welcoming, safe, and rich with opportunities. Not only will it make your family’s life more enjoyable, but it will also set them up for success.
Hilton Head Island is a wonderful place for your family. From quality education to amazing amenities, you and your family will thrive on the island.
Exceptional Educational Opportunities
from pre-K all the way to college. There are over 30 public schools in Beaufort County, the public school system on the island. Hilton Head Island Christian Academy also offers educational opportunities for families seeking a Christian education for their children.
The schools in the area are known for their exceptional education and extracurriculars. All of the high schools have graduation rates in the 80-90 percentiles. You can trust that your children will receive a wonderful education on Hilton Head Island.
And, after your children graduate high school, they could study close by at the University of South Carolina Beaufort – Hilton Head Island Campus. The modern campus is small, tight-knit, and is full of opportunities.
Family Oriented
In today’s day and age, it can be hard to get your family to disconnect from their screens and connect. Television, video games, and social media are distracting and make it hard for families to truly spend time together. But, when you live on Hilton Head Island, it is easier to disconnect and spend time with your family.
There are plenty of fun things that you can do with your family on the island besides sitting around and watching a movie. You can plan a family beach day for some fun in the sun. Another great idea is to take your family out on your boat, breathing in the salty air. If you’re up for some good, fun competition, host a family pickleball tournament at one of the nearby resorts. Your family will have such a fun time laughing, playing, and bonding.
Hilton Head Island is ripe with opportunities for you and your family to spend time together. And, When your kids grow up and move off to college, you won’t have to struggle to get them to come back to visit; children will want to come home every time they can, for as long as they can, to enjoy your beach house and the Hilton head lifestyle.
Diverse & Multicultural
Hilton Head Island is a wonderful place full of culture. People from all walks of life come to visit or permanently live on the island, bringing their unique cultures with them. This makes Hilton Head Island even more vibrant and lively.
The island is also home to one of the most unique cultures in the world: the Gullah. The Gullah are some of the most culturally distinctive African American populations in the United States of America. After being brought to America as enslaved people, the Gullah lived isolated on many coastal islands, including Hilton Head. Here, they have a rich culture with a distinctive language, economic system, and artistic traditions. They have preserved their traditions for centuries, and now Hilton Head residents can experience the Gullah culture firsthand through history, art, and food.
Incredibly Safe
One of the reasons you should invest in Hilton Head real estate is because of its safety. You are choosing an incredibly safe community for you and your family to live in.
There is relatively no crime on Hilton Head Island because almost every neighborhood is gated. You can feel safe and have peace of mind knowing that only people staying in your neighborhood can access your local area. Port Royal Plantation is by far the safest community on the island because it does not allow rentals—only homeowners are allowed to stay in their homes. This is extremely beneficial for people who want extra security and seclusion from tourists.
Amazing Amenities
Although Hilton Head promises a relaxed, Lowcountry lifestyle, your family will still have access to big city amenities here on the island. There are large shopping centers, many award-winning restaurants, community centers, resorts, and more.
When you move here for the relaxed lifestyle and the relatively low house prices, you will be pleased to find that this relaxed island has everything you could ever want.
Thriving Business Area
When you invest in Hilton Head Island real estate, you are investing in a thriving economy. Much like other tourist locations, Hilton Head Island did take a small hit when the coronavirus pandemic began, but the economy has rebounded much faster than in other places.
Currently, the island’s unemployment rate is 3.6%, resting much lower than the national 5.2% unemployment rate. This is a good sign that the island’s economy is thriving, even shortly after the global pandemic.
A Variety of Properties
Condominiums
Condos are smaller units that offer big potential. Typically positioned in modern skyscrapers, Hilton Head condos boast luxuries that many homes don’t have. Condo owners almost always have access to a shared gym and pool. Also, almost every unit has its own private balcony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, allowing you to admire the waves and white sand beach from the comfort of your own home. It’s a luxurious lifestyle that everyone will enjoy.
People who are looking to enter the market or downsize will love condominiums. Condos have fewer square feet than single-family homes, meaning they are smaller. As a result, condominiums are much more affordable than a typical house. You can save money and still buy a stunning property when you choose a condo.
Despite their lower sale prices, condos are a very good investment. Much like family homes, condominiums appreciate quickly. And, after every mortgage payment, you will gain more equity. It is homeownership at a more affordable rate.
Hilton Head condos have one especially unique benefit to them: they can be used as a rental property. You can rent out your condo to interested tourists to help pay off your mortgage. You could also earn a substantial cash flow from renting out your property. Tourists traveling in couples or small groups will be more drawn to renting out your cozy condominium rather than a large beach house.
Single-Family Homes
Single-family homes on Hilton Head Island have many benefits, the most prominent being their promise of luxury. Most homes on the island are built on the beach or close by, allowing you to listen to the crashing of the waves while in the comfort of your own home. Hilton Head homes will make you feel like you’re always on vacation.
And, when you purchase a house, you won’t have to pay condo fees. Condo fees are the monthly fees that condominium owners need to pay to maintain their public facilities. In some cases, condo fees can be quite expensive. Therefore, owning a single-family house could offer huge savings annually, allowing you to put more of your hard-earned money back into your pocket.
Another great way to save money is to rent your home as a vacation property. There are a lot of people looking for vacation homes to rent. If your home has a lot of sleeping spaces, you could tailor it to large groups to earn more.
Invest In Hilton Head Today!
Hilton Head Island is a stunning island off the coast of Southern Carolina. Its sweeping Lowcountry landscape, relaxed lifestyle, amenities, and thriving economy make it a desirable place to live and grow. And, thanks to its moderate housing prices, you can do so with ease.
Hilton Head real estate is a wonderful investment. It will allow you and your family to live the lifestyle you’ve always dreamt of, or it could be a profitable vacation home you can escape to whenever you desire.
Contact Ocean Front HHI today to learn about Hilton Head Island real estate. Your future awaits.
