Free Download
The Lowcountry
Buyer’s Guide
23 pages on what it really takes to buy well here — ownership costs, taxes, financing, strategy, and every step from offer to keys.
Prepared by COAST brokered by eXp Realty · Presented by Donna Gilmore
Get The GuideWhat’s Inside
The Complete Lowcountry Playbook
This is the buyer’s guide COAST brokered by eXp Realty prepares for its own clients — the numbers, the process, and the local knowledge that a listing search cannot give you. Donna Gilmore presents it here for buyers working with her.
15 Chapters, 23 Pages
From first conversation to closing day — the full arc of a Lowcountry purchase in one document
What Ownership Actually Costs
The real monthly picture — association fees, insurance, and the carrying costs most listings never mention
The Property Tax Line That Changes the Math
How South Carolina's owner-occupied assessment rate reshapes your budget — and what that means for your offer
Market Reality & Strategy
Where the market stands now and how to choose the buying strategy that fits your timeline
Due Diligence, Lowcountry Edition
Flood zones, inspections, HOA document review, and what to verify before you commit
Community Directory
A directory of communities across Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and the mainland
Chapter by Chapter
From First Conversation to Keys
Fifteen chapters, in the order a real purchase unfolds.
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Register below and the guide unlocks instantly on this page.
The Team Behind the Guide
Prepared by COAST brokered by eXp Realty
This guide is the work of the COAST team — Hilton Head Island and Bluffton luxury real estate — where Donna Gilmore serves as Director of Operations. When you register here, you’re working with Donna, backed by the team’s full resources.
$1B+
Total Sales Volume
COAST brokered by eXp Realty has closed over $1 billion in total sales across the Lowcountry.
#1
eXp Team in SC
The top-performing eXp Realty team in South Carolina, verified by Real Trends.
98%
List-to-Sale Ratio
Donna's pricing expertise ensures buyers and sellers achieve optimal outcomes.
Common Questions
The Lowcountry Buyer’s Guide — FAQ
What is in the Lowcountry Buyer's Guide?
The Lowcountry Buyer's Guide is a 23-page, 15-chapter guide to buying a home on Hilton Head Island and in the greater Bluffton area. It covers what ownership actually costs, the South Carolina property tax rates that change the math, financing, current market conditions, buyer representation, the offer-to-closing process, Lowcountry due diligence, and a community directory covering Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and the mainland.
Who wrote the Lowcountry Buyer's Guide?
The guide is prepared by COAST brokered by eXp Realty, the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton luxury real estate team where Donna Gilmore serves as Director of Operations. Donna presents the team's guide here for buyers who work with her.
Is the Lowcountry Buyer's Guide free?
Yes. The guide is free. Register with your name and email address and the download unlocks instantly on this page.
Does the guide cover both Hilton Head Island and Bluffton?
Yes. The community directory covers Hilton Head Island as well as Bluffton and the mainland, and the cost, tax, financing, and process chapters apply across the Lowcountry market.
Do I need to be working with an agent to download the guide?
No. The guide is for any buyer at any stage — whether you are just starting to explore the Lowcountry or already under contract. If you would like guidance after reading it, Donna Gilmore offers a complimentary buyer consultation.
How current is the information in the guide?
The guide is refreshed with current market data, so the market chapters reflect present conditions rather than a one-time snapshot. The process, tax, and due diligence chapters cover standing South Carolina practice.
Intelligence Platform
Go Deeper with Market Intelligence
Explore Hilton Head through institutional-grade market intelligence — the same data Donna uses in her own transactions.
YOUR LOWCOUNTRY BUYER'S ADVOCATE
Donna Gilmore
Donna Gilmore is an oceanfront and deep-water luxury real estate advisor on Hilton Head Island, serving high-net-worth buyers and sellers. She is the Director of Operations at COAST brokered by eXp Realty — the #1 eXp Mega Icon Team and #3 mega team in South Carolina (Real Trends verified).
COAST's record-breaking $12.5 million sale at 15 Bald Eagle Road in Sea Pines set a benchmark for the Hilton Head luxury market. Donna represents properties across Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, Port Royal, Wexford, Long Cove Club, Palmetto Bluff, and Berkeley Hall.