June 2014

So far this year, 6,093 homes have closed on the Charleston MLS with an additional 3,284 homes under contract. As Charleston real estate agents, we couldn’t be busier with this strong sellers’ market known for its multiple offer situations and relatively low inventory of homes for sale.

First, let’s look at MLS activity broken down by area. These stats are from January through May of 2014.

Keep in mind that for Days on Market, this time clock starts the day the home is listed and stops the day of closing (so it includes the 30 to 45 days that it generally takes once the contract is ratified until it gets to the closing table).

Right now the best homes in the most popular areas are often getting ratified contracts within a week or two of getting

The local builder Hunter Quinn Homes just announced pricing for their next project, The Park at Rivers Edge. Construction has started for 10 townhouses in the Lakeshire subsection of the neighborhood with prices starting at $129,900. Home buyers have 4 floor plans to choose from – all of which offer an open living space on the first floor with bedrooms on the second floor. Square footage ranges from 1534 to 1674, with 2.5 baths and 2-3 bedrooms.

All of these town homes will include covered back porches and outdoor storage rooms, which are the kinds of features that make home buyers often prefer townhouses over condos. Optional features include fully fenced backyards and screened porches – ideal for buyers who have pets or are looking for privacy.

As the weather and water warm up in Charleston, it’s the perfect time of year to experience our fantastic waterways!

• Sailing Classes: The Ocean Sailing Academy offers classes for beginners and more experienced boaters. Its prime location makes it a great way to experience sailing on the Charleston Harbor! www.charlestonsailingacademy.com/
• Kayak and Paddleboard Tours: Coastal Expeditions has several locations throughout Charleston including Shem Creek, Folly Creek, Isle of Palms, and Bulls Island. www.coastalexpeditions.com/
• Ferry Rides and Eco Tours: If you’re looking for a less active water experience, these laid back options may be more your pace. Coastal Expeditions works in partnership with the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge and the

Although it’s the final weekend of the Spoleto arts festival, it’s not too late to experience it! You’ll find events throughout the city in addition to Sunday’s finale at Middleton Place Plantation in West Ashley. You may recognize this circa 1755 plantation house from the movie The Patriot. It makes for a fantastic backdrop for the all-day festival finale featuring live music, gourmet picnic foods, a beer garden, and fireworks. To view all the Spoleto events this weekend, visit spoletousa.org/

Also, the smaller and more local Piccolo Spoleto runs during the same 17-day time frame and complements the global span of the Spoleto Festival each year. Piccolo offers a lot of free events, so this is definitely worth a look! piccolospoleto.com/