Buying a Home in Charleston, SC

Charleston architectural styles are diverse and exciting. This thriving city offers styles ranging from Georgian to Italian. In total, there are nine styles that encompass most of the real estate in the city:

• Colonial: Few windows and a low foundation are the two main characteristics of these homes from the 1600s and 1700s.
• Georgian: Raised basements and boxed chimneys are associated with the Georgian architectural type.
• Federal: Fan lights, balconies and staircases are all traits of the federal style which appeared after the Revolutionary War.
• Gothic Revival: Often associated with a “castle look,” the Gothic Revival look can be seen on many exteriors in the city.
• Plantation: Beautiful, elaborate homes. The plantation home showcases

Ready to retire? Many retirees are finding that Charleston, South Carolina has the perfect mix of affordability and fun for the graceful retiree. Not only is the state swelling with historical homes, but the median home price in the area is just $203,000.

Climate

Not as hot as Florida yet much milder winters than Maine or New Jersey, South Carolina has mild winters and warm summers. Coastal areas are much better in terms of winter temperatures with 60 degrees being the average during the winter and nights dropping to 38 degrees.

Snowfall in the state is very minimal with many years recording no snowfall. The exception will be near the Blue Ridge Mountains, which averages 12 inches of snow per year.

Taxes

Keep more money in your pocket.

Newly Listed Equestrian Estate in Charleston

A new listing recently came on the market on Wadmalaw Island which might be a good home to consider for horse lovers. Pictured right, you’ll see 4695 Lazy Creek Lane, which is made up of 16.5 acres. A stucco home offers 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths on its first floor. Upstairs, there is a large room that would make a nice office, media room, etc. There’s also a 3 car garage and a screened porch with fireplace that overlooks the backyard pool.

The 4-6 stall barn features a 2 bedroom, 1700 square foot apartment above with hardwood floors, cathedral ceiling, stone fireplace, full kitchen, and gorgeous pasture views. The barn also offers a tack room, sink, lavatory and a hook up for washer and dryer. You’ll

Military men and women who are assigned to Charleston often search for homes close to the Air Force Base or the Naval Weapons Station. Due to the nature of their jobs, it is critical for these home buyers to live within a close radius of the AFB or the NWS. Eagle Run and Wescott Plantation are two of the best neighborhoods within a short drive to both of these locations.

Living Near Charleston Air Force Base and Naval Weapons Station

The Air Force Base and Naval Weapons Station are centrally located to everything in Charleston. The AFB is off Dorchester Road in North Charleston (the address is 5500 International Boulevard). The AFB is about 30 to 40 minutes from downtown Charleston, about 45 minutes to 1 hour from your choice of 3 beaches (Isle of

As a real estate agent who is also a boater, I am often asked for recommendations on where to dock a boat in Charleston, SC. Personally, I prefer to have my boat storage as centrally located as possible because I know that I’m more likely to take it out if I’m only a few minutes from the Charleston Harbor, Morris Island, Shem Creek, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, and the ocean. Many buyers assume that you have to buy a waterfront home in Charleston to enjoy the area’s boating. However, if you can find the right storage and facility, you can take advantage of deep water access anytime of the day. (Charleston homes for sale with good water access generally cost $400K plus – you can expect to pay around $600K plus for deep water homes.)

Ripley

Many buyers searching for a home in the Charleston SC real estate market request communities with a boat ramp. Having a boat ramp in your neighborhood is very convenient because it usually gives you a shorter wait time compared with public ramps. Anyone who’s boated knows that waiting to launch or waiting to get out of the water after a full day of fun on the water is a chore. Using a boat launch in your community may make the difference in whether you actually take advantage of your boat or not. Mount Pleasant is one area (of many) in Charleston that features a good selection of communities with a boat ramp and dock. Brickyard Plantation, Dunes West, and I’On are some of the most popular neighborhoods among home buyers.

Brickyard Plantation’s

What is the difference between a condo and a townhome? We often get this question from home buyers, so we decided to sum up the many conversations we’ve had into a blog in hopes that it reaches more people who are currently weighing the pros and cons of each. The technical difference is that the two property types are deeded differently. When you purchase a condo, you are purchasing the air space and not the land that the condo sits on. Townhomes are deeded as fee simple homes, meaning the buyer will actually own the tract of land that the townhome sits on, which makes lenders more apt to lend money on them. The West Ashley real estate market is a great Charleston market to find affordable condos and townhouses, so we’ve also included some of the most

Many home buyers ask us to recommend homes and neighborhoods that will keep them within walking distance to shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. West Ashley can be a great fit for these home buyers because – if you know where to look – it offers a convenient lifestyle for those wanting walkability. A few of these convenient neighborhoods in West Ashley are located near the revitalized Avondale district, the Coburg shopping center, and the South Windermere shopping center.

West Ashley’s Avondale commercial section has recently been renovated into a trendy district that has even started an Avondale Restaurant Week. Five area restaurants came together to put on this event that took place in February. Restaurant Week was organized by the Triangle

Charleston, SC has a range of things to offer young professionals – from outdoor activities to shopping, movie theaters, nightlife, and some of the best restaurants in the country. Although many of these entertainment options are in Downtown Charleston, the real estate is generally too expensive for young professionals and first time home buyers. The nearest suburbs of Charleston (James Island, Mt. Pleasant, and West Ashley) offer more affordable homes without sacrificing a great location.

James Island’s laid back atmosphere and local eateries make it a prominent suburb to live. And, its prime location makes it easy to commute to Downtown Charleston (10 minutes or less, usually) for work or entertainment. Folly Beach is also just a 10 minute drive

Charleston, SC is one of the most family friendly places to live in the southeast. There are plenty of fun indoor and outdoor activities and recreation options for families year round. Parks, beaches, plantations, restaurants, shops, annual festivals, and water sports are just a few of the many exciting things Charleston has to offer. Charleston has something for everyone’s interests and lifestyle, which is why over 120,000 people call Charleston home. Whether you choose Mount Pleasant, James Island, or West Ashley, you will find a warm welcome in every community in our city.

Mount Pleasant is a suburb just across the Aurthur Ravenel Bridge from downtown Charleston. There are currently about 40,000 people who reside here. Mount Pleasant has many