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        <title>Charleston Real Estate Market Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/</link>
        <description>Get local info and tips from Charleston real estate agents on market trends, financing, new communities, upcoming events, and more!</description>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/charleston-sc-real-estate-market-trends-in-2023.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/charleston-sc-real-estate-market-trends-in-2023.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>Charleston, SC Real Estate Market Trends in 2023</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
So far in 2023, the Charleston real estate market is performing much stronger than forecasters expected. Ratified contracts in March of 2023 ended up being only 5 shy of the March 2022 figure even though sales were anticipated to be 15 less. In short, the 2023 local real estate market wonrsquo;t match the stellar, record breaking 2022 sales figures. However, even with higher interest rates and a low supply of homes for sale, Charleston is outpacing the 15 year average each week for written sales. (See this chart which shows 2023 ratified contracts by the green line, 2022 ratifieds by the orange line, and the 15 year average in blue.)





Last week the Charleston housing market saw 359 properties go under contract which makes it the third best week so far this year. Keep in mind that we use statistics focusing on ratified contracts instead of closed sales in all of these Carolina One charts because closed sales were ratified anywhere from 45 to 60 days prior (the typical time frame expected to get from contract to closing). So closed sales reflect buyer sentiment roughly 6 to 8 weeks before, whereas ratified contracts tell us what is happening in our local market currently.


The March 2023 median sale price increased 5 compared to last spring, pushing it up to $403K. This is tough news for buyers who have been discouraged by the bidding wars wersquo;ve experienced for over 2 years now. However, itrsquo;s fantastic news for Charleston homeowners who have enjoyed robust appreciation throughout the pandemic market.





This spring, wersquo;re still seeing a lot of full priced offers as well as multiple offers on the new listings that are move in ready and located in the most popular communities (especially those zoned for good public schools like James Island and Mount Pleasant). New construction is a good option for buyers willing to wait on locking their mortgage rates. New construction currently makes up 40 of all pending contracts in the MLS and 26 of closings.


The luxury market in Charleston also remains strong, and this is partly due to so many buyers relocating from pricier markets around the country such as California, Washington, New York, and the DC metro area. We are at more than double pre-pandemic sales levels of $1 million+ properties (averages for home sales in this price point are over 100 per month currently).


As of today, the Charleston MLS has 2,221 active listings (meaning available for sale right now). Although this is a significant increase from the 1,035 record or floor number of listings set back in February 2022, this listing shortage is perhaps the biggest challenge as Charleston REALTORSreg;. If we had a few thousand more listings to work with, it would make our jobs as buyerrsquo;s agents much easier in a solidly sellerrsquo;s market Based on the current levels of homes going under contract, our market needs about 7,400 additional listings (roughly triple our current inventory) to have a market that is balanced between buyers and sellers.


Therersquo;s usually a seasonal rise in listings in the spring, so wersquo;re counting on getting more inventory as we approach the end of the school year. Also, many of the homes we get under contract never hit the MLS because they sell before going active. Since we often know about new listings BEFORE they hit the MLS, keep us posted on your time frame and needs so that we can do some digging on this end
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 19 Apr 2023 11:52:00 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/housing-market-predictions-for-2021-south-carolina.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/housing-market-predictions-for-2021-south-carolina.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>Housing Market Predictions for 2021: South Carolina</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
We wanted to share a recent Forbes article that is well-written and does a great job of explaining where the housing market is now, how we got here, and where it looks to be going. Wersquo;ve also included the local housing market forecast for Charleston South Carolina.





To summarize, we had a low inventory of homes before the pandemic and then the combination of increased demand and low interest rates have depleted inventory further. If you have been looking for homes over the last 6 months, yoursquo;ve seen the 15 or higher appreciation and how quickly homes are selling, but this rate seems to be at least slowing down a little over the last three months.


No one knows exactly how the market will behave, but this trend seems to be mostly driven by an imbalance between supply and demand. Sellers are not worried about selling their houses but are reluctant to sell because they arenrsquo;t certain they can find and win the bid for the house they want to buy. If sales slow just a little, we could see better inventory and more regular terms for home purchases. The demand will continue to be high for Charleston because so many buyers are moving to the Charleston Metro area, and new construction builds will not keep pace with the increased demand. In short, local experts donrsquo;t foresee a bubble or crash, but we should hopefully see a return to a more balanced and regular paced market. This is good news because the historically imbalanced market wersquo;ve been working with has been tough especially for buyers who are financing and competing against cash buyers willing to forego all contingencies.


In my opinion, the best thing buyers can do who have the time to wait is to keep a close eye on the market while getting their finances in order. Interest rates should go up in the next year, and being ready to purchase in 2022 when there are more homes available to buy (but before rates go up) would be ideal.


Here is the Forbes article so you can see more details
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 26 Aug 2021 15:05:00 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/ion-one-of-the-best-areas-to-live-in-mount-pleasant-sc.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/ion-one-of-the-best-areas-to-live-in-mount-pleasant-sc.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>I’On: One of the Best Areas to Live in Mount Pleasant SC</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Irsquo;On is one of Mount Pleasant SCrsquo;s best areas to live because of its extensive public green spaces, two lakes, fantastic facilities for boaters and tennis players, great public schools, full range of amenities, and superb location. After 16+ years of specializing in Mt Pleasant real estate, itrsquo;s still one of our favorite neighborhoods. The charm and overall feel of the community make it stand out. So what are the pros AND cons of living in Irsquo;On? Herersquo;s the feedback wersquo;ve gotten over the years along with similar neighborhoods to compare


Why Are Home Buyers Drawn to Irsquo;On?





Itrsquo;s hard to find a better location in Mount Pleasant. With multiple entrances off Mathis Ferry Road, Irsquo;On appeals to buyers wanting to live closer in to Downtown Charleston (just a 10-15 minute drive away). The beaches are also conveniently just 10 minutes away. The numerous shopping, restaurant, and entertainment options which make Mount Pleasant such a popular suburb are within a few minutesrsquo; drive. The central location of Irsquo;On is one of its best features


Although there are many neighborhoods in Charleston that have the classic Charleston style that buyers love, the builders and homeowners in Irsquo;On have spared no expense in recreating the feel of historic homes on the Charleston Peninsula. Copper roofs, highly landscaped backyards and courtyards, triple porches, and double brick chimneys make Irsquo;On stand out. Simply put, walking or riding through this neighborhood really makes you feel like yoursquo;re Downtown (except these houses donrsquo;t have the heavy maintenance that a 150 year old requires). And although Irsquo;On is NOT a historic community, it has somehow managed to create a charm and pay homage to the arearsquo;s rich history, traits that can be harder to find with newer neighborhoods. For example, the neighborhood is named after Jacob Bond IOn, the first Mayor of Sullivanrsquo;s Island which is the closet beach.


Irsquo;On amenities are also hard to beat. Here yoursquo;ll find a Junior Olympic pool, an impressive tennis center with 7 courts (including tennis lessons and programs), 3 total club houses, community dock and boat ramp located on Hobcaw Creek, a kidsrsquo; park, and fitness center. If top notch amenities are a deciding factor in your home search, a tour of the Irsquo;On Club and amenities will impress even the pickiest home buyer


In this mixed use community, residents also enjoy being able to walk to the shops and restaurants just inside the main entrance. Yoursquo;ll also find East Cooper Montessori Charter School within the borders which serves first through eighth grade students. In addition, just outside of the neighborhood yoursquo;ll find a shopping center thatrsquo;s convenient.


For commuters, having the location that is south of the Isle of Palms Connector is prime to help reduce traffic. This close proximity to both the Ravenel Bridge and Interstate 526 is helpful regardless of which route you commute.


Even Irsquo;On Has Drawbacks (Just Like Any Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood)







Because of the high demand from home buyers, Irsquo;On is one of Mount Pleasantrsquo;s most expensive neighborhoods. Some buyers feel like if theyrsquo;re paying this much for a home, they could live a little further out (Dunes West or Carolina Park, for example) and have a larger lot or a water view for the same price. Buyers have to choose which trade offs make sense for their families and their lifestyles.


While some buyers love the exclusive feel of the neighborhoods, other buyers are turned off by the feeling that theyrsquo;re keeping up with the Jonesrsquo;. During our 16+ years of experience working in Mount Pleasant, we sometimes hear feedback like ldquo;too picture perfect,rdquo; ldquo;too manicured,rdquo; and ldquo;too plannedrdquo; ndash; and thatrsquo;s ok because our job is finding the right fit for the right family.


Ready to Take a Tour?





If yoursquo;re looking for the aesthetics and feel of Downtown Charleston but with the conveniences, parking, and public schools of a suburban lifestyle, Irsquo;On should certainly be on your list of Mount Pleasant neighborhoods to consider. Wersquo;d be happy to give you a tour of Irsquo;On and some of the comparable neighborhoods so that you can get a feel for whatrsquo;s available (for example, the Hibben section of Belle Hall has similar Charleston style homes as well as Riverside at Carolina Park).


After 16+ years of helping buyers relocate, we still love helping folks find the best fit for their family



 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 20 Aug 2021 14:11:00 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/new-headquarters-currently-being-built-on-folly-road.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/new-headquarters-currently-being-built-on-folly-road.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>New Carolina One Real Estate Office on James Island</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



We are excited to announce that The Keadle Group will be headquartered at a new location on James Island SC Carolina One Real Estate is currently building a new office building on Folly Road expected to be complete by November 2022. Designed by Glick Boehm Architects, the building at 719 Folly Road will house Carolina One Real Estate, Carolina One Mortgage, and Weeks and Irvine Law Firm. See the renderings wersquo;ve included above of the new building, and wersquo;re excited to have a new office to meet clients





People sometimes ask us why we choose to stick with Carolina One Real Estate after 17 plus years of experience in the business. The infographic above helps to summarize why using statistics. For decades, Carolina One has been the top selling real estate company in Charleston, and being networked with so many Top Producers helps tremendously. This is true especially in our current market where relationships and being in the know help us to learn about new listings before they hit the MLS.


Seventeen years of experience plus tools like Now Showing and InstaSolutions are exclusive to Carolina One which has more listings than any other company in Charleston. Whether yoursquo;re buying or selling, talk to us about how these tools can help you


Thank you for your continued support and for making SearchForCharlestonRealEstate.com one of the best real estate websites in Charleston


nbsp;


Lee and Katherine Keadle, Owners of The Keadle Group



 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 29 Jul 2021 15:08:00 -0400</pubDate>
</item>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/carolina-park-pros-and-cons-from-a-mount-pleasant-realtor.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/carolina-park-pros-and-cons-from-a-mount-pleasant-realtor.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>Carolina Park: Pros and Cons from a Mount Pleasant Realtor</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
For Mount Pleasant home buyers in the $500K plus range, Carolina Park should certainly be on your short list Irsquo;ve specialized in Mount Pleasant real estate for over 15 years, so Irsquo;ve seen this suburb grow and have helped buyers and sellers in Carolina Park since it was in its early development. Based on many clientsrsquo; feedback and also personal experience, here are the pros and cons of Carolina Park to help you weigh your options


Carolina Park: Mount Pleasantrsquo;s Newest Large Scale Master Planned Community





Whether you want a brand new home or one thatrsquo;s just a few years old (and can close in 30-45 days), the newness factor here is a huge selling point. In terms of commute, many residents like that its location is directly off Hwy 17 (with stop lights for easy turning on and off this busy thoroughfare). Kids can walk to school since Carolina Park Elementary and Wando High School are within the borders (pre-school is also convenient). Also check out the Charleston County public library opened in 2019, and Costco is right there, too.


Buyers end up choosing Carolina Park because of the curb appeal of these Low Country style homes. Some feel that itrsquo;s too cookie cutter, but the majority of folks I work with are very impressed after a tour of the community and want this very desirable lifestyle. For those wanting Carolina Park new construction homes, being able to choose your lot, floor plan, finishes, and everything else makes it so that even the pickiest buyers get exactly what they want without settling.


About the only amenity missing here is a golf course. Yoursquo;ll find a zero entry pool which is helpful for all ages, a kiddie splash area, tennis, dog park, walking trails, and a fantastic playground. Of all the Mount Pleasant SC neighborhoods with amenities, Carolina Park has some of the nicest options, and it takes seeing them in person I think to appreciate them (the amenity center is located where Carolina Park Boulevard intersects Banning Street).


Drawbacks? Even Carolina Park has Them







The main complaint I hear from buyers is that this community is too far from Downtown Charleston (itrsquo;s on Hwy 17 just a few miles before you get to Awendaw). But thatrsquo;s the tradeoff for having this much land designated for a neighborhood in Charlestonrsquo;s most popular suburb. When itrsquo;s complete, Carolina Park will have more than 1500 homes and 300 acres of preserved land, so yoursquo;ve got to look further out in order to get enough land thatrsquo;s not already developed.


Compared to where yoursquo;re moving from, Carolina Park might have smaller lot sizes than yoursquo;re used to. In my Charleston real estate career, though, Irsquo;ve learned that yard size is relative because Irsquo;ve work with so many folks from around the country. You can expect lots sizes to range from 0.15 to 0.45 acre.


With any new construction subdivision, you can expect less mature landscaping. So if yoursquo;re looking for large trees in your backyard with fully grown vegetation, Carolina Park will probably be bumped towards the bottom of your list.


Whatrsquo;s the Best Fit for Me and My Family? Ask Katherine Keadle


Especially for folks relocating to the area, itrsquo;s hard to compare neighborhoods from afar. Irsquo;m happy to talk on the phone and recommend areas based on commute, amenities, etc. When yoursquo;re ready to see these in person, I can give you a tour and talk about nearby shopping and restaurants as well. Just let me know how I can help
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 28 Jul 2021 13:39:00 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/how-to-win-the-offer-in-todays-housing-market.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/how-to-win-the-offer-in-todays-housing-market.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>How to Win the Offer in Today’s Housing Market</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Many home buyers are getting discouraged by the current 2021 Charleston housing market trends. Multiple offer situations have become the norm, and wersquo;ve seen as many as 18 offers on a single listing. Itrsquo;s hard to compete against a record number of cash buyers who can close quickly and forego an appraisal, even if a lender verified buyer is paying full list price.


However, here are ways that we like to prepare and increase your chances of winning the offer:




In todays market you must have a preapproval letter in hand from a reputable lender: No sellers are willing to take their house off the market for a buyer who canrsquo;t provide a preapproval letter with their initial offer. More than ever, itrsquo;s important to get preapproved before seeing homes rather than waiting to find the right one first. Getting your offer in early gives a huge advantage since wersquo;re seeing the best listings go under contract within about 24 hours of hitting the MLS.


Be flexible. When sellers are comparing multiple offers that are the same basic price, often giving flexibility or having an agent with a good track record can give the edge you need. For example, if the sellers are relocating for a job, giving them the close date they need is worth money to them. Wersquo;ve seen sellers choose an offer that was a thousand dollars less just so they didnrsquo;t have to live in a temporary rental. Similarly, when wersquo;re competing for a listing where wersquo;ve worked with the listing agent before (and have developed a good rapport with them), having this good working relationship is crucial because they know wersquo;ll be able to take the offer to closing. A good reputation goes a long way in real estate, especially in a market like Charleston where so many of the agents know each other. The bottom line is that if we can learn whatrsquo;s important to the seller (like a flexible close date or pre-negotiating inspection details), it can help make the sellerrsquo;s life easier and result in a preference towards our offer.


Need to sell before buying? So many buyers are in this same boat Talk with us about strategy. Sellers and builders are no longer willing to take a contingency for a buyer to sell their current home before closing on the new one. However, the 2020 market has taught us Realtors to get creative and to negotiate more than ever Options include paying the sellersrsquo; mortgage after 60 days, doing a rent back, finding a furnished vacation rental, having your photos done and MLS report drafted while we wait on the right listing, or refinancing (this is where your lender can help). Wersquo;ve had a lot of success this year in these tricky domino effect situations, so letrsquo;s talk


Just waiting on the perfect listing? With historically fewer listings to choose from, many buyers are having to wait longer to find just the right house. We Realtors often hear about new listings before they hit the market, and this kind of lead time is invaluable in Charlestonrsquo;s current market. The same is true for new construction. Builders often donrsquo;t list all of their homes on the MLS, so wersquo;re happy to do some digging for you with your specific needs and wants.




Most saved home searches on our website are set to receive listing updates twice weekly, but know that we can send them daily so that you see new listings ASAP Check out more Charleston SC housing market stats, or search the most up to date listings on the MLS





 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 09 Jul 2021 14:21:00 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/charleston-housing-market-trends-in-2021.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/charleston-housing-market-trends-in-2021.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>Charleston Housing Market Trends in 2021</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
If there were a few thousand more homes for sale in Charleston South Carolina it would make our jobs as Realtors a lot easier The post-COVID lockdown housing boom is still in full force here with demand as strong as wersquo;ve ever seen. Wersquo;re seeing so many local buyers moving up to get more square footage or a waterfront view. And on top of that, wersquo;re seeing an influx of buyers from pricier markets around the country like New York and California who are paying cash and finding Charlestonrsquo;s increasing home values very affordable compared to where theyrsquo;re moving from.


Itrsquo;s hard for buyers to compete against cash offers with no contingencies who are waiving the appraisal. Multiple offers have become the norm, and the most wersquo;ve seen for a single home in Charleston is 18 This is the hottest our market has ever been in the history of our MLS


This past week Charlestonrsquo;s home listing inventory increased about 70 properties versus the previous week which is good news for buyers. Right now wersquo;re seeing a trend that new listings taken are actually UP year-over-year, so more inventory is hitting the market. However, itrsquo;s getting bought before it can accumulate. This time of year we generally see an uptick in listings (after school lets out), so wersquo;re hoping this trend will continue to help alleviate the listing shortage. Herersquo;s the most updated chart showing home sales on the Charleston MLS. Note that 2021 ratified contracts are shown by the green line, 2020 home sales by the orange line, and 2019 by the blue. The blue 2019 line is helpful for comparing our current market to a normal or typical year. Yoursquo;ll also see a green dotted line going straight across that shows the record week of home sales in the Charleston MLS before the pandemic (458 ratified contracts), and this happened just once in 2018. Between 2020 and 2021, there have been 25 weeks that have beaten this previous record





Charlestonrsquo;s median sales price has increased 21 in the past 12 months which is an increase of about 1.75 per month. This past month the median sales price was $348,975, and last year at the same time it was $287,930.


The higher end sector of Charlestonrsquo;s market (homes priced over $1 million) continues to surge. Starting around July 1, 2020 we started seeing these higher priced sales increase dramatically. This niche of the market has been outpacing last year roughly 2.4 to 1 ever since. For example, May 2020 saw 54 properties priced over $1 million go under contract. During this same month of 2021, there were 175 properties (an increase of 224)


Charleston and Myrtle Beach currently make up 45 of home sales in the entire state of South Carolina which makes sense since so many of the buyers we talk with relocating want to live within an easy drive of the beach.


This housing boom is predicted to last at least another year and a half or two years. Therersquo;s simply so much pent up demand that even a surge of new listings wonrsquo;t balance out the market. Check out more Charleston housing market statistics on our website, or search the most up to date listings from the MLS
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 29 Jun 2021 15:31:00 -0400</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/charleston-housing-market-2020-september-stats.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/charleston-housing-market-2020-september-stats.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>Charleston Housing Market 2020: September Stats</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Last week Charleston set a new MLS record for properties going under contract with 542 properties in one week This time of year, we typically see a seasonal slow down as families get ready for the start of school. The chart below shows the 2019 dip in home sales (blue line), and you can compare this yearrsquo;s orange line. Also note the line showing the start of the COVID 19 concern when Charleston home sales dipped before going back up.





Last week saw a 77 increase in sales over the same week last year (to put this into perspective, this is the largest year over year increase wersquo;ve seen in a single week). Quite simply, Charleston is seeing its best housing market on record despite COVID 19 as buyers are relocating from larger cities, having more flexibility to work from home, needing more space (moving up to a larger home within Charleston), or purchasing a first home. At some point, the lack of inventory will begin to suppress sales since there are more properties under contract than available to purchase.


Advice for Home Buyers in Charlestonrsquo;s Current Sellersrsquo; Market


Buyers from other markets around the country are often surprised to learn how the Charleston real estate market has boomed during the coronavirus year of 2020, and it can be harder to house hunt from afar in a market where listings often sell within just a few days of getting listed for full price. Hopefully this info will help.


Right now in general wersquo;re seeing some buyers get discouraged due to multiple offer situations and also how fast paced our market has become. Itrsquo;s hard to compete against cash buyers who can close quickly, even if a lender verified buyer is paying full price, but there are ways to prepare yourself and increase your chances of winning the offer:




In todays market you must have a preapproval letter in hand: No sellers are willing to take their house off the market for a buyer who canrsquo;t provide a preapproval letter with their initial offer. More than ever, itrsquo;s important to get preapproved before seeing homes rather than waiting to find the right one first. Getting your offer in early gives a huge advantage.


Need to sell before buying? So many buyers are in this same boat Talk with us about strategy. Most sellers arent willing to take a contingency for a buyer to sell their house (ie, the buyers house is not under contract yet), but most sellers will take a contingency that allows you to close on your current home (and many builders now are not taking this contingency either way). However, the 2020 market has taught us Realtors to get creative and to negotiate more than ever Options include paying the sellersrsquo; mortgage after 60 days, doing a rent back, finding a furnished vacation rental, having your photos done and MLS report drafted while we wait on the right listing, or refinancing (this is where your lender can help). Wersquo;ve had a lot of success this year in these tricky domino effect situations, so letrsquo;s talk


Just waiting on the perfect listing? With historically fewer listings to choose from, many buyers are having to wait longer to find just the right house. We Realtors often hear about new listings before they hit the market. The same is true for new construction. Builders often donrsquo;t list all of their homes on the MLS, so wersquo;re happy to do some digging for you with your specific needs and wants.





 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 2020 13:41:00 -0400</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/dunes-west-my-go-to-neighborhood-in-mount-pleasant-500k-plus.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/dunes-west-my-go-to-neighborhood-in-mount-pleasant-500k-plus.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>Dunes West: My Go To Neighborhood in Mount Pleasant $500K Plus</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 





Home buyers gravitate towards Mount Pleasant when theyrsquo;re relocating to Charleston and comparing suburbs because of the fantastic public schools, upscale atmosphere, and tons of shopping and entertainment options. Most Mount Pleasant neighborhoods offer amenities like pool and tennis, and these can be harder to find in West Ashley, James Island, or Downtown neighborhoods. Irsquo;ve come to specialize in Mount Pleasant real estate during my 15 years in this career because the area sells itself. When Irsquo;m driving my clients around giving them a tour, Mt. Pleasant stands out and is usually where they end up buying at this price point.


For buyers looking $500K and higher, Dunes West is consistently a top pick. (Also check out Carolina Park, Irsquo;On, and both Rivertowne Country Club and Wando sections)


Dunes West in Mount Pleasant


The older homes in Dunes West (built in the 1990s and early 2000s) have some of the largest lots which are perfect for buyers wanting estate sized, half acre or full acre lots which are surprisingly hard to get in this suburb. Dunes West is my first stop when buyers tell me theyrsquo;re looking for estate sized lots (Darrell Creek is another good option, but time and time again buyers choose Dunes West over Darrell Creek which is further out).


Dunes West has one of the best golf courses in tri-county Charleston. The club house sits on the river, and you can enjoy lunch or drinks even if you donrsquo;t have a membership. Golf membership is relatively inexpensive when you compare it to Wild Dunes or Kiawah, so buyers are usually pleasantly surprised to learn that they can afford the golf lifestyle.


Pros of Living in Dunes West





Buyers love that this is a gated community with a beautiful entrance, the miles of walking trails, plus the amenities are some of the best in Charleston. Itrsquo;s rare for me to drive buyers through Dunes West and them to NOT be impressed with the neighborhood. For folks who love the water, what distinguishes this community from the others is the boat landing and dock. Therersquo;s also conveniently a boat storage lot on premise. Dunes West is one of the few neighborhoods in Mt. Pleasant where you can find true deep water access directly on the Wando River. For buyers wanting new construction, there are nice homes built by John Wieland and Pulte which are both reputable builders in Charleston.


Dunes West especially appeals to buyers wanting nice amenities because yoursquo;ve got golf, lighted tennis courts, 3 pools, 2 club houses, a workout center, and the boating amenities Irsquo;ve already mentioned. Therersquo;s a tennis pro, and residents enjoy the tennis clubs and teams (if yoursquo;re a tennis lover, also check out Irsquo;On in Mount Pleasant). The last perk that Irsquo;ll mention for Dunes West is that itrsquo;s about 20-25 minutes from the Charleston International Airport (take Hwy 41 to Clements Ferry Road to Interstate 526).


Cons of Living in Dunes West


Some of my clients have turned down Dunes West because they donrsquo;t like the hassle of calling in gate passes when friends and family come to visit. Instead, theyrsquo;d rather live in a neighborhood where visitors can come and go freely. (Another option is to choose one of the subsections located outside of the gate which tend to have the most affordable houses.)





Another drawback is that itrsquo;s located off Hwy 41 which is highly trafficked during commute hours. There are plans being considered to expand the lanes on Hwy 41 to help alleviate congestion (see more details at http://hwy41sc.com/about.html). Some buyers feel this neighborhood is too far out, but thatrsquo;s the tradeoff for living in a large, master planned community with newer homes. We find that when buyers compare the smaller, older homes located closer to the Ravenel Bridge, they opt for a neighborhood instead like Dunes West or Carolina Park where they can get more square footage. Again, this tradeoff is a decision all buyers have to make, and with more people working from home or commuting during different hours of the day, the answer completely depends on the family.


For most folks, this next point isnrsquo;t a deal killer but instead just something to note: golf carts are only allowed on the golf course, so you canrsquo;t keep one in your garage, for example, to drive to the pool.


Ready for a Tour?


Im Katherine Keadle, and Id love to show you this community as well as comparable neighborhoods so that you can compare your options and find the perfect match Letrsquo;s talk so that I can find out more about what yoursquo;re looking for



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    <pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2020 10:47:00 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/buying-a-mt-pleasant-home-under-300000-need-to-update.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/buying-a-mt-pleasant-home-under-300000-need-to-update.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>Buying a Mt Pleasant Home Under $400,000</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Buying a home in Mount Pleasant priced under $400K has become increasingly difficult in the past few years. Although the inventory in this price bracket has shrunk drastically, theress still a huge demand from home buyers who want to live in this hot real estate market with some of the best public schools in Charleston, fantastic shopping, and upscale neighborhoods. If you find yourself sorting through few listings as you search the Charleston MLS, here are some pointers to give you more affordable options to consider:


Condos and Townhouses are the Most Affordable Homes





As buyers look to lower their maintenance and costs, condos and especially townhouses have become more popular. Mount Pleasant condos generally come with no yards but sometimes offer a private patio or screened porch. Some buyers say that this is more like apartment living and rule this option out. However, townhouses can give you the 3 to 4 bedrooms that most buyers desire and usually have a fenced yard or a yard that can be fenced with HOA approval. Having this private outdoor space makes a townhouse feel more like a single family home because it serves the same function for outdoor entertaining, space for pets, or a safe place to put kids swings or play toys. Also, keep in mind that if you purchase an end unit, youll share only 1 common wall with your neighbor which gives more privacy. Many Mt Pleasant townhouses for sale also come with garages, providing a house-like feel in the under $400K price range.


Some New Construction is Not on the MLS


Mount Pleasant new homes in builder-developed neighborhoods and subsections offer a price that is hard for pre-owned sellers to compete with. Builders often have listings or lots that are not included in the MLS - meaning that you wont see these in your search results. Contact us for recommendations or to check on current availability because this is the best way to make sure youre seeing all of your options


Prepare to Renovate


The very few pre-owned houses that are listed in the Mount Pleasant area generally require a lot of work and out of pocket expense, or theyre technically located in the rural town of Awendaw just north of Mt. Pleasant. If youre handy (or are willing to hire contractors to do the work for you), these listings are a third option to consider in order to meet your contract price goal. We typically dont recommend buying homes with structural/foundation problems or excessive damage/rot due to termites or moisture because these can be costly issues to inherit from the previous seller. However, projects like kitchen rehauls and new windows are reasonable for this price range and are to be expected if you have the cash and time to spare. And know that at The Keadle Group, were happy to recommend electricians, plumbers, painters, and more to help get you started on renovating your home



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    <pubDate>Mon, 02 Jul 2018 15:46:00 -0400</pubDate>
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