“Horror stories” surround new builder on land in Josephine Wright’s Hilton Head neighborhood
A homebuilder with a Facebook group dedicated to what residents call “horror stories” has begun construction on a plot of land in Hilton Head that was once at the center of a battle between those that want to preserve historically Gullah land and those that want to build on top of it.
Florida-based Dream Finders Homes, LLC purchased 34 plots of land in the Bailey’s Cove subdivision for $3.2 million in December, according to county property records. As construction workers hammer together the houses’ frames, large signs on Jonesville Road boast to passing drivers, “NOW SELLING: FROM THE $600s.”
Dream Finders is named as a defendant in seven lawsuits in Beaufort County. It’s also the center of a Facebook group with over 4,000 members for homebuyers to share their negative experiences with the company.
Bailey Point Investment LLC, the previous ownership company, drew national controversy in 2023 when it filed suit against then 93-year old great-grandmother Josephine Wright for three alleged encroachments on their property. After Wright’s death in January 2024, her family announced in March 2024 that they had reached a settlement, although the case is still pending in the Beaufort County public index as of Thursday.
Bailey Point still owns the remaining parcels in the Bailey’s Cove subdivision. It’s unclear whether Dream Finders plans to purchase more Bailey’s Cove plots in the future, or whether any additional builders will buy in.
Phone calls left with representatives of Dream Finder Homes were not returned.
Suit sheds light on flooding issues in Beaufort subdivision
Dream Finders Homes designs, builds, and sells homes in 12 U.S. states, including South Carolina and Georgia, according to its website. The company is also the “official home builder” of the PGA tour.
The company is named as a defendant in seven cases in Beaufort County, according to the Beaufort County Public Index. Two cases are currently pending, including one alleging issues with the rainwater drainage system at the Overlook at Battery Creek, a 30-acre housing community in Beaufort.
Dream Finders and the related entity, Village Park Homes, purchased and constructed homes in The Overlook. The Overlook’s Home Owner’s Association alleges that Village Park “failed to insure that all the lots upon which it built homes properly drained rain water in an acceptable manner,” according to the complaint.
The HOA claims that rainwater would pool in an alleyway between two rows of houses, rather than flowing into the drainage system beneath the roads, causing damage to the surface of the alley.
In their lawsuit, residents argue that the builders did not properly connect all of the individual homes to the rainwater drainage system. The builders, according to court documents, deny the allegations.
Another pending lawsuit stems from allegations that Village Park raised the purchase price of a home by $90,000 after the buyers had already deposited a down payment.
Dream Finders is also named in three suits in Horry County and more than 100 cases in Duval County, Florida.
Marshside homes at Bailey’s Cove rise from the ground
The plot of land now being developed into Bailey’s Cove is situated in the Jonesville Historic Gullah neighborhood on the northwestern side of the island. Nestled between Jarvis Creek and Old House Creek, the land sits on somewhat of an island of its own, surrounded by marshes on either side.
The trees that once shaded Jonesville Road by Wright’s estate have now been cut down, leaving behind barren tracts of land. Eventually, Wright’s home be encircled by rows of nearly identical single family homes, each three stories and affixed with a two car-garage.
Dream Finders purchased its share of the plots from Bailey Point Investment, the previous developer who prepared the 29-acre site and proposed a 147-home subdivision on the property.
Some homes are already listed for sale, with availability starting in August. Buyers can also opt for one of three “buildable” plans with some features that can be customized.
“Discover the perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and convenience at Bailey’s Cove, where every day feels like a vacation,” notes a Zillow listing for the community.
This story was updated to correct an erroneous reference to Dream Finders as a plaintiff in seven lawsuits. Dream Finders is actually a defendant in those lawsuits.
This story was originally published March 31, 2025 at 12:55 PM.
