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        <title>Charleston Real Estate Market Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/tags/1/</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/new-listing-historic-charleston-style-but-newly-built.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/new-listing-historic-charleston-style-but-newly-built.html</link>
        <title>New Listing:  Historic Charleston Style, but Newly Built</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
I wanted to bring a new listing to your attention.nbsp;A home was just listed yesterday in one of the most sought-after subsections of Park West.nbsp;This home is ideal for buyers looking for a classic Charleston style home with great architectural details ndash; but without the hassle of living downtown or the upkeep of an older home.nbsp;Irsquo;ve included the remarks section of the report below so that you can read about the homersquo;s features.nbsp;For more information and pictures, click here


nbsp;


Classic 1900s Quality in a 1 Year Old Home Immaculate 5 bed., 4.5 ba. home in the most desired area amp; school district in Chas., Mt. Pleasant This home has the solid quality and feel of an early 1900s Downtown Charleston home...one that was built w/ care amp; detail to last a lifetime. The builder was meticulous, and it really shows....Exterior Gas Lighting, Brazilian Cherry Floors throughout downstairs and through upstairs hall, 11.5 ceilings, handmade heavy moldings, archways, upgraded lighting amp; fixtures, tray ceilings, lots of natural light from windows above exterior doors and windows, solid wood doors, Hardy Plank Exterior w/ Metal Roofing, double front porches, and wood shutters. The open floor plan is great, too. The Dining Room is left of the entrance hall w/ a Stunning archway to welcome guests. On the right is the Formal Living Room. At the back of the home there is a grand arch that separates the large Eat-in kitchen from the Huge Great Room w/ a fireplace. Great Rooms looks out onto the screened porch and wooded marsh backyard. The sun room is connected to the great room and formal living room, separated by French doors. The Study has gorgeous French pocket doors w/ a stained glass window above and a closet. The Kitchen boasts an abundance of beautiful cabinetry, Granite Counters, tray ceiling, Copper Tile back splash, Stainless appliances, gas cook top, wall convection oven and microwave, drawer dishwasher (Fisher amp; Paykel), wine cooler, and pantry. The Master Bedroom is downstairs with enough room to fit a King suit. Theres a sitting area, huge walk-in closet, amp; plantation shutters. Master Bath has plenty of space, antiqued dual vanity sinks, separate jacuzzi tub amp; tiled shower, and tasteful lighting. Upstairs are 3 nicely sized bedrooms, each w/ their own bathroom and walk-in closet. One bedroom can be used as another master since it has its own full bath. Two of the bedrooms share a Jack amp; Jill Bathroom w/ 2 separate vanities. You can walk onto the top porch from the hallway. Another stairway leads to the HUGE 5th bed (or bonus/media/game room) with its own full bath. You cant miss the magnificent oak tree in the front among a fully landscaped front yard According to the builder, you could put a pool in backyard. 10 min. to beach amp; 15 min. to downtown, 5 min. to shop @ Mt. Pleasant Town Center. Amenities include 2 zero entry community pools, tennis, miles of walk/jog trails, play park amp; a community dock. TV in Great Room, Sectional sofa amp; match autumn amp; window treatments in Formal Living Room, Black Bar furniture will convey with acceptable offer Purple guest bed. curtains do not convey. Frontload Washer amp; Dryer, Refrigerator, and all other window treatments to convey With Rates like these, it is a fantastic time to purchase a home
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:49:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/how-home-asbestos-inspections-can-ease-property-sale-process.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/how-home-asbestos-inspections-can-ease-property-sale-process.html</link>
        <title>How Home Asbestos Inspections Can Ease Property Sale Process</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
There are hundreds of factors to consider when selling a home. However, the presence of asbestos is not often taken into account. Asbestos is a hazardous material ndash; but only under certain conditions. For this reason, it is important to obtain a home inspection and asbestos consultation to help reassure potential buyers that while asbestos may be present, it is not typically immediately hazardous.


Many believe asbestos to be a problem of the past. However, they may be surprised to learn that asbestos can be found, in some form, in nearly 80 of structures built prior to 1978. Asbestos materials can be found almost anywhere in the home but are most common in pipe linings, boilers, insulation, and HVAC ductwork. This is not to say however, that all these materials are inherently hazardous. In fact, the majority of them present no hazard at all as long as they are stable and intact.


Asbestos-containing materials will not emit asbestos fibers unless they are damaged or unstable. These materials must be broken or cracked for asbestos fibers to escape. For instance, a ceiling tile made with asbestos is likely not immediately hazardous if it is undisturbed and intact. However, a ceiling tile which has sustained water damage may potentially be weakened enough to the point where asbestos could be released.


When in the air supply, asbestos fibers can easily be inhaled and lodge in the membrane lining of the lungs. These fibers can irritate the inner tissue and cause mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer known only to be caused by asbestos exposure.nbsp;


Home inspectors and asbestos consultants can help homeowners identify asbestos in the home and advise them on a course of action. Buyers appreciate the professional opinions of these firms and will likely be reassured about the homersquo;s safety for them and their family. An open discussion about asbestos can ease the sale of the property and give both the buyer and seller the important information they need.


nbsp;


This article was written by:


Matt Richfield Communications Assistant Mesothelioma amp; Asbestos Awareness Center www.maacenter.org 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:39:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/interest-rates-at-4375.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/interest-rates-at-4375.html</link>
        <title>Interest Rates at 4.375</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
This is the lowest that rates have been in yearsnbsp; And remember, each point dropped translates to saving about $100 per month on the same loan.nbsp; So, that general rule of thumb might help to put this into perspective.nbsp; I wanted to pass todays rate along to you, since were not sure how long it will be this low.nbsp; Between the low home prices, the large selection, and these good rates, its a great time to buy real estate right now - especially for investors


For more info on current rates, call Leah or Joel with Carolina One Mortgage at 843.795.7810
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:01:23 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/tax-credit-for-first-time-home-buyers.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/tax-credit-for-first-time-home-buyers.html</link>
        <title>Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Many buyers have been asking about the tax credit for home buyers coming up this tax year.nbsp;Although this topic has gotten a lot of coverage in the news, people have gotten really confused about what it is.nbsp;So, I wanted to clarify some of the misconceptions Irsquo;ve noticed when talking to home buyers.nbsp;


nbsp;


The biggest misunderstanding about this tax credit is that every home buyer does not get it.nbsp;This credit is only for first time home buyers.nbsp;But, the good news is that the government usually defines people who havenrsquo;t owned a home in 3 years as first time buyers.nbsp;So, you may not technically have to be buying your first home in order to qualify for this incentive.


nbsp;


Another misconception with this tax credit is that buyers think this credit is free money.nbsp;Now, everyone knows there is no such thing as free money.nbsp;The rule that ldquo;if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isrdquo; applies here.nbsp;Itrsquo;s important to note that this is actually a loan from the government to help first time buyers pay their taxes (since itrsquo;s assumed that this person will have incurred a lot of extra expenses in buying the home this past year).nbsp;This tax credit is simply an incentive to help more people be able to buy these homes that are sitting on the market.


nbsp;


The way that it works is that this $7500 tax credit is repaid with your taxes every year at $500 a year.nbsp;So, again, you will be paying this money back, but it will just be over a period of several years (similar to the loan on your home).nbsp;But, unlike your home loan, this tax credit is an interest free loan.nbsp;So, yoursquo;ll only be paying back that $7500.nbsp;


nbsp;


When people realize theyrsquo;re only postponing paying the inevitable tax money, they often ask if itrsquo;s really worth doing.nbsp;After all, why not just pay it and get it over with?nbsp;The answer depends on whether you need that money now to use for improvements to the house ndash; such as putting carpet down, painting, or getting plumbing or electrical work done.nbsp;If yoursquo;ve bought a house that is going to require some work early on, this tax credit may be worth it.nbsp;


nbsp;


There have also been a lot of questions about the time frame the buyer purchased in order to qualify.nbsp;Wersquo;ll be filing taxes in 2009 for the tax year of 2008.nbsp;So, if you bought the home in 2008, you have the option to use this tax credit.nbsp;


nbsp;


The last point Irsquo;ll mention is that this tax credit does not have anything to do with property taxes.nbsp;Instead, itrsquo;s figured in with your income tax ndash; which is confusing.nbsp;For example, letrsquo;s say you file your 2008 returns and have a tax liability of $15,000 that your company withholds in wages.nbsp;You would use your $7500 tax credit and pay only $7500 in your income tax.nbsp;Or, if your company withheld $7500, you would use your tax credit of $7500 and would break even.nbsp;In this last scenario, you would actually pay nothing this year in income taxes.


nbsp;


Be sure to talk to your CPA (or the person who does your tax work) about this tax credit if you think you may be eligible.nbsp;Although there is a lot of information about this tax credit on the internet, itrsquo;s still important to get professional advice about taxes when filing tax returns.nbsp;And, he or she should be able to answer any questions you have and give you an estimate as to how the credit will affect your income taxes this year. 


nbsp;


If youre considering buying your first home, call Leah Odom for financingnbsp; She specializes in helping first time home buyers and is a great resource for first buyers.nbsp; She can not only get you financed, but shell also explain your options to you and find the best loan for you.nbsp; You can contact her on her cell phone at 843.813.0123, or you can email her at leah.odom@gbmail.com. 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:46:07 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/zero-down-loans-are-a-thing-of-the-past.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/zero-down-loans-are-a-thing-of-the-past.html</link>
        <title>Zero Down Loans Are a Thing of the Past</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Not too long ago, buyers were able to purchase homes without making a down payment.nbsp;There were several options for these zero down loans, such as Fannie Maersquo;s My Community or Du Flex loans.nbsp;An around the way (but quite popular) option for doing this with FHA was getting the seller to contribute the down payment money to a non profit organization like Nehemiah or AmeriDreams, which then granted the money back to the buyer for a fee.


nbsp;


Despite the popularity of such loans, lenders are now realizing that these kinds of loans did more harm than good.nbsp;In short, there is no such thing as a $0 down mortgage anymore.nbsp;Fannie Mae has raised guidelines for their loan products and is not allowing zero money down now.nbsp;


nbsp;


However, borrowers who were considering these loans several months ago do have other options.nbsp;So, donrsquo;t assume that you canrsquo;t get a low down payment loan right now ndash; it just wonrsquo;t be no money down.nbsp;Be sure to talk to your lender about your options.nbsp;Itrsquo;s a little harder to meet the new Fannie Mae guidelines, but buyers still use these loans everyday. nbsp;So, donrsquo;t think itrsquo;s impossible.


nbsp;


Now that buyers can no longer get a zero down mortgage with FHA, some are questioning whether itrsquo;s still worth using the FHA loans.nbsp;Although a buyer will have to put money down now, he or she will generally have a lower payment with an FHA loan compared to a traditional loan.nbsp;The reason that the payment is less with FHA is because the mortgage insurance premium for these loans is less.nbsp;And, that insurance can make a big difference.nbsp;Another advantage of using FHA loans is that the borrower can have a lower down payment.nbsp;FHA only requires 3 percent down, where most conventional loans want 5 percent or more.nbsp;Itrsquo;s easy to see why FHA is still such a popular loan for borrowers ndash; even without the zero down that it used to offer.


nbsp;


State housing is about the closest thing there is right now to the zero down loans.nbsp;State housing does not always require the full 3 percent down.nbsp;These kinds of loans can be a pain in the neck to jump through all the hoops to get them.nbsp;But, they provide a lot of buyers with a way to buy a home when they otherwise would not be able to.nbsp;And these loans really depend on income.nbsp;For a borrower with low income and a low sales price for the home, itrsquo;s possible for this person to obtain very close to a 0 loan.nbsp;But, this borrower would need good credit.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:34:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/circa-1843-home-just-listed.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/circa-1843-home-just-listed.html</link>
        <title>Circa 1843 Home Just Listed</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
I wanted to include some information about a new listing in Manning, SC, since it can be difficult to find historic homes like this one with so much acreage. 

nbsp;




nbsp;


Classic Antebellum Plantation Home in the Greek Revival 


Style majestically set on 89 acres.nbsp;Home built for Edward Bertrand Davis and is known as The Davis House on The National Register of Historic Properties. This home is constructed entirely of heart pine and cypress with two circular stairways made of mahogany. The original window panes and shutters grace the mansion. Northern soldiers occupied this home during the War Between the States, and it was one of the few spared from flames. 


nbsp;


Outstanding features include Great Entrance Hall with dual mahogany staircase, formal living room and gentlemenrsquo;s salon on the first floor.nbsp;The great hall leads to the formal dining room, family room, eat-in kitchen and Master Suite.nbsp;Five fireplaces enhance the rooms of the lower floors.nbsp;Complete with back hallway and tucked away in the half bath behind the kitchen yoursquo;ll find a modern laundry room.nbsp;


nbsp;


Ascend the staircase to the second floor to find a center hall library which opens to portico. Step out and yoursquo;ll be in a fairy land of live oaks and Spanish moss overlooking manicured grounds and fenced pasture.nbsp;Two oversized bedrooms and half bath complete the upstairs.


nbsp;


In ground pool, cabana or play house, guest cottage, barnnbsp;and kennels with caretaker living quarters included innbsp;this sale.nbsp;60 of the property is wooded for your hunting pleasure, 20 acre pasture ready for planting for dove hunts.nbsp;Home being sold fully furnished except for a few personal items.nbsp;
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:09:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/park-west-in-mt-pleasant-sc.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/park-west-in-mt-pleasant-sc.html</link>
        <title>Park West in Mt. Pleasant, SC</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
As the largest neighborhood in Charleston, the Park West community in Mt. Pleasant makes its way onto many home buyersrsquo; short lists of neighborhoods to consider.nbsp;The traffic lights at the two entrances on Hwy 17 and Hwy 41 allow easy access to and from the rest of Mt. Pleasant.nbsp;Prospective buyers are generally very impressed with the reflecting pool and landscaping upon entering the community.nbsp;And the subsections are more hidden compared to other communities.nbsp;Overall, Park West feels quite secluded from the rest of Mount Pleasant.nbsp;There are lots of trees, green spaces, and walking trails throughout.nbsp;Much of this will probably be developed in the future, but for now residents can enjoy a good deal of space between many of the subsections.nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;


nbsp;


Home prices in Park West range from condos and townhouses in starter prices to multi-million dollar houses on the marsh.nbsp;The Battery at Park West and Madison at Park West have the least expensive options in the community ndash; and some of the least expensive for newer homes in Mt. Pleasant.nbsp;These are both condo communities, and the lowest prices right now are in the $150rsquo;s.nbsp;


nbsp;


There are more townhouse options compared to condos in Park West, but theyrsquo;re also more expensive.nbsp;Buyers looking for townhouses in Park West should check out the subsections The Gates (which will be the most affordable), Keswick, Cambridge Commons, Preston, Kensington, Hampshire, and Tennyson Row.


nbsp;


If yoursquo;re looking for houses in Park West, yoursquo;ll find a range to choose from.nbsp;The least expensive will be in subsections like Wellesley Place, where homes start just under $250K.nbsp;Arlington and The Village have mid priced homes.nbsp;Some of the nicest subsections include Wheatstone, Tennyson, Pembroke, Andover, Bergenfield, and Masonborough.nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;


nbsp;


Park West is a great neighborhood because of the large selection of homes and the good amenities, but itrsquo;s certainly not for every home buyer.nbsp;The sheer size of this community puts off many buyers, since itrsquo;s really like a small town in itself.nbsp;Yoursquo;ll find schools and stores within the community, which is appealing to many buyers ndash; you donrsquo;t even have to leave the neighborhood to take the kids to school or to get your car washednbsp;But for some buyers, Park West is a bit too much.nbsp;


nbsp;


A lot of buyers will get overwhelmed when I first take them to Park West ndash; between all the round-abouts, homes, and signs, sometimes buyers are ready to drive to the next neighborhood on their list to see.nbsp;So, it completely depends on what the buyers are looking for.nbsp;The best way to know if Park West is a good match for you is to take a drive through it.


nbsp;


If you have a home search in Mt. Pleasant, yoursquo;ll almost definitely have a few Park West homes in your search results.nbsp;So, itrsquo;s good to know a little bit about the community.nbsp;Irsquo;d recommend at least checking out a few of the homes there if yoursquo;re considering Mt. Pleasant.nbsp;After all, itrsquo;s one of the most popular neighborhoods.nbsp;But, if you find that it doesnrsquo;t fit your style, know that Mt. Pleasant has a lot of good communities to choose fromnbsp;nbsp;


nbsp;
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:21:49 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/mls-search-for-charleston-sc.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/mls-search-for-charleston-sc.html</link>
        <title>MLS Search for Charleston, SC</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Charleston home buyers can now go to many websites and create an MLS search to find their next home.nbsp;Our website is one of many that provides this free service.nbsp;We get a lot of questions from home buyers about how to use the MLS search feature, so I wanted to answer some of these in order to help buyers looking for homes.nbsp;And, these are applicable to almost any websitenbsp;that allows younbsp;to search thenbsp;MLS for homes in Charleston.


nbsp;


1)nbsp;What is the MLS?nbsp;MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service, and itrsquo;s what home buyers use to find homes for sale in the Charleston area.nbsp;There is one MLS for the entire Charleston area.nbsp;So, if yoursquo;re looking in multiple areas (like James Island and Mt. Pleasant, for example), you can search all of the current listings in one place ndash; the Charleston MLS.nbsp;Also, the MLS includes home listings from all real estate companies.nbsp;So, creating a Charlestonnbsp;MLS search is really the first step in finding the home you want.


nbsp;


2)nbsp;How do I search for a certain number of bedrooms or more on the MLS?nbsp;Some clients tell us that they want at least a certain number of bedrooms or baths in their MLS search.nbsp;So, for example, if you need 3 bedrooms, but yoursquo;d also consider homes with more (4 or 5), then you can say gt;=3 in the MLS bedrooms box.nbsp;So, you donrsquo;t have to search for an exact number.


nbsp;


3)nbsp;How do I get more MLS search results?nbsp;Some buyers will create a search and only have a few search results.nbsp;There are several ways to increase the number of results from your search.nbsp;Widening the price range (either by bumping up the maximum price or lowering the minimum price) is an obvious change.nbsp;You can also add more areas to your search.nbsp;To do this, it would be helpful to talk with a real estate agent.nbsp;He or she should be able to recommend more Charleston areas for you to consider that are comparable to your first choice.nbsp;Another option for increasing MLS search results is changing the type of home.nbsp;If your MLS search has houses only, you can add townhouses and condos to the search.nbsp;This way, you can stay in the same area and price range, but yoursquo;ll be able to have more options to look through.nbsp;A third option for changing your MLS search is not as obvious.nbsp;If yoursquo;re looking for a 4 bedroom home, for example, you can bump down that number to 3.nbsp;A lot of 3 bedroom homes in Charleston have an additional room called a ROG (a Room Over the Garage).nbsp;If this room is finished, it is then called a FROG.nbsp;Adding a closet to this room is a relatively inexpensive way to get that fourth bedroom that you need.


nbsp;


4)nbsp;How do I narrow my MLS search results?nbsp;Besides changing price, area, and home type, there are several other options to have fewer MLS search results.nbsp;Almost every Charleston website with an MLS search feature has options like Year Built and Square Footage.nbsp;If you already know that yoursquo;re looking for a newer or an older home, you can use the greater (or less) than or equal to phrase with any year that you want.nbsp;The square foot option works similarly.nbsp;Other features that are usually included in these websites with MLS search features include lot size, number of stories, fenced backyard, and neighborhood amenities.nbsp;So, for example, if yoursquo;d like to live in a home with a community pool, you can easily change your MLS search criteria. 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:01:26 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/charleston-real-estate-in-sc.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/charleston-real-estate-in-sc.html</link>
        <title>Charleston Real Estate in SC</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
We work with a lot of home buyers relocating to the Charleston, SC area.nbsp;Many of our clients are not familiar with Charleston real estate ndash; the prices, the many areas, and the availability of homes.nbsp;So, before we can find the right house for them, we often have to find which area in general meets their needs.nbsp;Irsquo;ve organized Charleston real estate into 6 sections so that you can get a feel for the main areas of Charleston.nbsp;Of course, these are not all of the areas ndash; but theyrsquo;re the main places that Charleston residents consider ldquo;Charleston real estaterdquo;:


nbsp;


1)nbsp;Mt. Pleasant is usually one of the first choices for Charleston home buyers.nbsp;It has some of the best schools in the Charleston area along with a great location.nbsp;Itrsquo;s about 20 minutes from downtown Charleston and about 10 minutes from the two closest beaches.nbsp;It has a slightly upscale feel to it, with lots of shopping and restaurants.nbsp;Buyers have a lot of real estate options in Mt. Pleasant because it has big selection of homes.nbsp;Real estate prices start around $150K for a condo, $175K or so for a townhouse, and just under $250K for a house.nbsp;


nbsp;


2)nbsp;Another top choice among home buyers is James Island.nbsp;Real estate prices are comparable, and the location is just as good, if not better.nbsp;Downtown Charleston and Folly Beach are about 10 minutes from most areas on James Island.nbsp;This area doesnrsquo;t have quite the traffic of Mt. Pleasant, but it also doesnrsquo;t have as much commercial development.nbsp;This is one of the best real estate markets for rentals in all of Charleston, which makes it a good area for investors.


nbsp;


3)nbsp;Folly Beach is the most popular of the six beaches in Charleston.nbsp;Itrsquo;s also the most affordable.nbsp;Real estate prices range from the $300rsquo;s for a non-beachfront condo to about $1.5 Million for a basic beachfront house (these can get up to about $6 Million).nbsp;It has a very laid back feel and is the popular spot for Charleston surfers.nbsp;Real estate here has seen quite a boom in the past 10 years, and vacation rentals make it a great real estate market for investors and buyers looking for a second home (many of which rent out their home in the off season).nbsp;


nbsp;


4)nbsp;Downtown Charleston (the Charleston Peninsula)nbsp;is at the heart of Charleston real estate.nbsp;It is some of the priciest non-beach real estate simply because there is such a demand for it.nbsp;Real estate prices start in the $300rsquo;s for a livable condo and range from the $600rsquo;s to the eight and ten million dollar price range for houses.nbsp;Downtown Charleston is the place most people think first when they hear ldquo;Charleston real estate.rdquo;nbsp;This area (which is also called the Peninsula) has the most culture and history in all of Charleston.


nbsp;


5)nbsp;West Ashley is the most affordable area on this list so far of popular Charleston real estate.nbsp;This is partly due to the location ndash; which is still good but not as good as, say, James Island.nbsp;Depending on the area, Folly Beach is about a 20-30 minute drive, and downtown Charleston is about 15 minutes away.nbsp;Real estate prices in West Ashley start in the $150rsquo;s range for a condo and the low $200rsquo;s for a starter house.


nbsp;


6)nbsp;The town of Summerville is much further inland, which makes it much more affordable.nbsp;Itrsquo;s about 40 minutes from downtown Charleston (and closer to an hour with commuter traffic) and less than an hour to the beach.nbsp;Summerville has a small town feel, and it also has a great public school system.nbsp;Real estate starts in the $120rsquo;s for condos and the $150rsquo;s for starter houses.


nbsp;


Charleston real estate has a lot of great options for home buyers.nbsp;With such a range in prices and such a large and varied real estate market, yoursquo;re sure to find the home yoursquo;re looking for
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:10:26 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/historic-charleston-sc-real-estate.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/historic-charleston-sc-real-estate.html</link>
        <title>Historic Charleston, SC Real Estate</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Historic Charleston, SC is a top tourist destination in the country.nbsp;And, itrsquo;s one of the few areas in the low country with a style of houses all its own ndash; the Charleston style single.nbsp;As the oldest port city in the country, Charleston has a rich history that is reflected in its architecture.nbsp;Few cities in the United States have so many homes dating back as far as Charleston has ndash; some of Charlestonrsquo;s oldest homes were built in the early 1700s. 


nbsp;


Downtown Charleston (also called the Charleston Peninsula) is usually the first area in that people consider for historicnbsp;homes in Charleston.nbsp;Many of the homes are on the National Register of Historic Places.nbsp;Some of the oldest (and most historic) of Charlestonrsquo;s homes are located in neighborhoods like South of Broad and the French Quarter.nbsp;Rainbow Row and The Battery (two of the most photographed areas in all of Charleston) are both considered South of Broad.nbsp;The French Quarter is home to the Historic Dock Street Theatre, which was the first building in the country used solely for theatre.nbsp;Harleston Village is another historic Charleston neighborhood, and it is close to MUSC (the Medical University of South Carolina).nbsp;Ansonborough is another popular historic neighborhood, and it was considered the first suburb of Charleston.nbsp;


nbsp;


In addition to these four historic Charleston communities, home buyers also generally look in Radcliffborough, Elliottborough, Cannonborough, Wagner Terrace, Hampton Park Terrace, and Mazyck-Wraggsborough.nbsp;These neighborhoods are also considered historic and are also located in downtown Charleston.nbsp;However, theyrsquo;re not as highly sought after as some of the other big historic names, like South of Broad.nbsp;In response, these homes are generally less expensive, since much of the real estate price reflects historical relevance. 


nbsp;


Two other areas to consider when buying historic real estate in Charleston are Sullivanrsquo;s Island and the Old Village community in Mt. Pleasant.nbsp;Many of the homes on Sullivanrsquo;s Island were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s.nbsp;Wealthy Charlestonians spent their summers here to be near the beach.nbsp;Also, Edgar Allen Poe spent some time on Sullivanrsquo;s Island ndash; one of the bars in the small downtown section of Sullivanrsquo;s is named Poersquo;s after him. These homes usually have much larger lots than the homes in downtown Charleston.


nbsp;


Old Village is located in Mt. Pleasant, just southeast of Patriots Point.nbsp;It has a great location ndash; just a five minute drive to downtown Charleston and about a ten minute drive from Sullivanrsquo;s Island.nbsp;The oldest and most historic homes in Old Village are usually found near the water, where the homes overlook the Charleston Harbor and downtown Charleston.


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