During the 2011 edition of The Heritage, Charter One Realty's big promotion was an Apple iPad2 giveaway. Nearly 800 people registered for the latest piece of tecnology, hopeful of winning what many say is the future of mobile computing. Although there can only be one winner of the iPad2, the real winner during Heritage Week was the greater Hilton Head Island community and the charities that benefited from this extraordinary event.

And the iPad2 goes to...Margaret Sippy, of Hilton Head Island. Andy Reed, part of the Reed Real Estate Group, presented Margaret with her prize earlier this week and said that she was "thrilled". How did Andy and the Reed Real Estate Group know Margaret? Here it is in her own words:

" Many years before serious consideration of buying a home in Hilton Head, we met Charlie Reed, who was visiting our home state of PA. Over the years, we grew to know him as a very sincere, honest and caring man, whose love for Hilton Head was quite contagious. He worked patiently with us periodically over the years, showing us around the island and educating us about real estate and low country living.

"In 2000 when we decided we were ready to purchase a home, he referred us to his son Andy. Andy inherited all the fine qualities of his father and was a joy to work with. It wasn't long before he had determined our wants and needs and found the perfect house for us. What had seemed like a daunting task in the beginning was not at all, thanks to Andy.

"The Reed Real Estate Group has such passion for the area and for finding the appropriate property for their clients. It doesn't end there! They continued to serve us by graciously answering all of our questions regarding local information as we settled into our new community. Long after the papers were signed and one might assume that the Reed Real Estate Group's job is complete, their caring connection has continued through the years as a wonderful friendship.

"We love Charter One Realty!" - Margaret & Larry Sippy

Thank you to all who visited us at both our Hospitality House and our Sponsorship Tent - we hope to see you all again at next year's Heritage.

Heritage office says PGA approves funding plan

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — The chairman of the Heritage Classic Foundation says the PGA Tour has approved a plan to use local, state and private money to keep the Heritage on Hilton Head Island.

See the ful story here

Opinions differ considerably among those follow the Bluffton real estate market. Some might suggest thatprovided you understand the risksbuying now is the right decision. On the other hand, prices are still dropping, suggesting that the bottom isn't quite in sight just yet.

If you're of the former mentality the odds are in your favor when considering prices plus mortgage rates are still relatively low.

If you're considering condos, you might have a problem however. Even if you've done your homework and can nearly guarantee that you meet the stringent requirements necessary to buy Hilton Head real estate, there are new factors beyond your control that might make things a little tougher.

If too many people are renting in a building, if an association doesn't have enough reserves or if there are too many delinquencies, these factors will prevent you from getting a mortgage with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. You might find that your best option in preventing such a situation is to work with a Bluffton realtor who is aware of these types of buildings and will steer clear of showing them to you. There are also lenders who maintain lists of no loan condos, essentially doing the legwork for you.