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The Charleston Harbor

Also known as the Peninsula to local real estate professionals, downtown Charleston is an incredible mix of old and old-style new. Known for its incredible wealth of history, art, and fine dining, Charleston is the most popular tourist destination on the Southeastern Coastline.

Charleston’s historic district is situated along the Battery, a pristine pre-Revolutionary war park facing the Charleston Harbor. Homes in this area draw tourists from all over the world who take carriage rides around such historic sites as Rainbow Row, the old Slave Market and the Provost Dungeon.

Historic Homes boast previous owners such as Thomas Heyward, Joseph Manigault, and Charles Pinckney and visitors such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. To preserve the integrity of the architecture, historic homes are governed by a local Board of Architectural Review that dictates specific rules for everything from remodeling materials to paint colors. Prices for these homes range from $2,000,000 – $8,000,000.

Beyond the historic district, there are many homes to choose from for the average buyer. Because of the proximity to the Medical University, MUSC hospital, Roper Hospital, The Citadel, The College of Charleston and The Charleston School of Law, many medical professionals and college students make downtown their home.

With a variety of condos, bungalows and Charleston Singles to choose from, home buyers can select the best fit for their price range and still be able to enjoy the art and history that only downtown Charleston can provide. Homes is these areas range from the mid 100’s for a small condo to $850,000 for a gorgeously renovated brick home in the historic area of Harleston Village.

In recent years, the downtown area has seen a surge of growth as businesses and investors have renovated the less popular downtown areas. In fact it is now considered quite trendy to gut and rehab houses north of Spring Street. There has also been a great deal of new homes built in this area that couple old Charleston style with modern amenities.

A residential suburb of downtown Charleston, James Island is best known as the place where the Civil War began. Located just Southeast of the historic Charleston Peninsula, James Island is surrounded by several bodies of water that wind through the island as creeks and neighborhood boating areas. James Island also serves as the gateway to Folly Beach, locally known as the Edge of America. Mostly a rural farming area in the early part of the century, James Island’s neighborhoods were predominantly developed during the economic boom after the Second World War. Many of the older homes were built of brick or block construction and stick-built houses often feature classic bungalow styles and 1950’s retro layouts. One of the best features of the older neighborhoods is their dedication to preserving the mature landscaping and many homes are nestled among grand oak trees that are hundreds of years old.

Newer homes on James Island are often designed with an old Charleston feel with working shutters, large two-story porches and vaulted ceilings. James Island home prices range from the low 200’s to the mid 500’s. Waterfront properties range from the low 500’s to over $2 million.

Affectionately called West of the Ashley by old time Charlestonians, this area has also seen a recent revival of real estate. Many of the older neighborhoods located within a 5-minute drive to downtown Charleston were built in the mid 1940’s and have remained “THE” place to live ever since. Due to its extremely close proximity to downtown, close-in West Ashley has maintained high resale values with 2-bedroom, 1-bath brick bungalows starting in the high 200′ and larger homes easily commanding a price tag in the mid 400’s and up. In the last few years, West Ashley has experienced a yuppy trend with the addition of upscale spas, yoga centers, organic food markets and retro consignment shops. With such great shopping opportunities all over the West Ashley area, many home-buyers have been drawn to this area as an affordable alternative to Mt Pleasant.

As West Ashley proceeds further south and west of downtown, the home sizes increase and the prices decrease. Many West Ashley neighborhoods are located behind large shopping centers along Highways 17 and 61 along quiet tree-lined streets. Homes are extremely well built and boast per-square-foot prices that put Mt Pleasant to shame.

Located East of the Charleston Peninsula, Mt Pleasant is one of the most popular suburbs of Charleston, especially for young professionals who enjoy the proximity to downtown but savor the newness and shopping opportunities of modern Mt Pleasant. Similar to downtown, Mt Pleasant also features a historic district that was founded back in the late 1600’s along the East Cooper River and Shem Creek. This area carries the same charm and history of downtown with a small town village feel added in. In fact, Old Village is the name of the historic district of Mt Pleasant and until the early part if the 20th century, encompassed the entire town.

The majority of the landmass included rural farms and forest areas until the explosion of development that occurred in the last twenty-five years. To native Charlestonians, Mt Pleasant is a new world phenomenon, with upscale shopping that will suit even the most discerning shoppers. Neighborhoods boast amenities like golf club membership, swimming, tennis, boating access and nature trails. From a home-buyers perspective, Mt Pleasant provides something for everyone. Affordable Condos and townhouses starting in the mid 100’s, single family homes in quaint neighborhoods ranging from the mid 200’s up to 450’s, upscale larger homes in the 500’s to 850’s and waterfront villas that go upwards of $1,000,000.

One of the newest areas of Mt Pleasant is ION, a modern version of Historic Charleston homes, developed around a village atmosphere of shopping, restaurants and offices all within walking distance. ION also features a live-work center with businesses and shops on the first floors and condo/lofts above.

Despite its old world feel, ION features very progressive thinking with energy efficient designs, green building practices and community-focused development. It is not unusual to see electric cars parked amid golfcarts and bicycles along main street.

Close to Downtown are suburban areas like Johns Island, Daniel Island, Folly Beach and North Charleston. Each of these areas has its own unique signature style.

A large rural area just west of James lsland, John’s Island is the second largest island on the eastern shoreboard. Once dominated by plantations and farmland, John’s Island has turned into a rural alternative to Charleston island living. Despite it’s modernization, John’s Island still boasts the tastiest produce around. In fact if you’ve ever purchased fresh veggies at the Farmers’ Markets around town, chances are that those whopper tomatoes and those sweet onions were grown on John’s Island. Many local residents still mark their calendars for the arrival of fresh butter beans and plan summer day trips to pick blueberries.

Until the mid 1990’s John’s Island had extremely modest development with a scattering of middle-class affordable neighborhoods closest to James Island and high-end estates along its many waterways. During the 1990’s that began to change as the City of Charleston expanded its municipality and developers started pouring in. Now, this quiet little bucolic region is quickly turning into a major surburb. The only thing keeping it under control at the moment is infrastructure and everyday the newspapers report new battles over water lines, highway expansion and rezoning. It is speculated that once water and sewer lines are completed, John’s Island will be THE new mega market since builders can still purchase 25-acre parcels for $1,000,000. Until then, John’s Island is a great deal for the average home buyer.

Newer homes start as low as $190,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home and go upwards of $2,000,000 for deep-water estates. Many of the neighborhoods like Summertrees, Edenwood and Barberry Woods are typical neighborhoods that you could imagine anywhere in America, complete with the fenced-in backyards and rolling sidewalks. Others like Gift Plantation and Grimball Gates take on a larger than life appearance with spacious interiors, 2+car garages and neighborhood amenities like community walking trails and boat docks. In between are quaint neighborhoods like the Villages of St John’s Woods and Whitney Lakes that offer a modern version of small-town ambience. Whatever your style, if you don’t mind a short drive to the grocery store and Walmart, John’s Island offers a quiet lifestyle and some of the best gardening around.

Affectionately regarded as the “Edge of America,” Folly Beach is situated just 15 minutes South East of Downtown Charleston accessed from James Island and features just over 12 square miles of seaside living. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Folly River on the West, Folly Beach residents can enjoy both sunrise and sunset over the open waters. Unlike many Eastern Shore Beaches, Folly has yet to become over-commercialized, with development purposely restricted in an effort to maintain its relaxed atmosphere. Local ordinances even set building height restrictions to maximize ocean and river views for residents and visitors. Although many homes and condos are on weekly and monthly rental programs, Folly Beach strives to maintain a large owner-occupied percentage compared to other local beaches.

Beach living is enhanced by 3 local public parks, lots of public beach access, boating ramps, fishing piers and dog walking areas. Whether you are into honing your surfing skills, kayaking the rivers, bird-watching, fishing or just relaxing, chances are that you will find it at Folly Beach. What you won’t find are high-end amenities like private golf courses or tennis clubs. Folly Beach residents prefer to leave the island for these activities but stay for the best seafood and relaxed entertainment around.

Homes on Folly range in price from starter condos in the low $200s to Ocean Front Villas just under $3 million. Average oceanfront homes start over $1 million with interior island homes ranging from the mid $400s to the high $900’s. Condos also range in price depending on the proximity to the ocean and the view, starting with 1-bedroom efficiencies around $200,000 and working all the way to oceanfront end-units at just over $1 million. Average condos sell for approximately $350,000.00.

Charleston’s newest town, Daniel Island began as a vision in the early 1980’s that took root in the hearts and minds of developers by the mid-1990’s. What emerged was a town designed to incorporate the gorgeous landscape and natural waterways into a hometown atmosphere. Although it is considered to be inside the City of Charleston, Daniel Island is a 4000-acre town unto itself with its own look and feel. Situated directly north of Downtown Charleston, Daniel Island is reached by way of I-526 which provides easy access within 15 minutes to Mt Pleasant, Downtown or North Charleston. Current census data indicates that there are less than 9000 residents on the island with plenty of room for that number to grow as development continues. Fortunately, Daniel Island has many areas where development is restricted by Mother Nature and protected by local ordinances. The island includes areas dedicated to condominium communities as well as other areas devoted to family-style neighborhoods. All are within a short walk or bike ride to shopping, office complexes and great schools, so only about half of the residents ever leave the island for work.

Public recreational interests include the Family Circle Tennis Center featuring 17 courts, a clubhouse, pro shop and fitness facility. Fishing, boating, dog parks and nature trails abound.

Most homes on Daniel Island were built since 2000 so they all feature energy efficient building technology as well as modern appliances, fixtures and interior designs. Despite their newness, Single Family Residential architectural designs often mimic the classic Charleston styles with large covered porches, working shutters and interior features like 9-foot ceilings and lots of detailed crown molding. Neighborhoods usually offer community amenities like boating, swimming, walking and biking trails. Although the average home on Daniel Island is around $450,000.00, there are a wide range of homes to choose from starting as low as $180,000 for an efficiency condo and going upwards of $1,000,000.00 for an estate-sized home.

Just north of I-526 is the exclusive Daniel’s Island Park community, a private, gated community complete with two award-winning golf courses, the Tom Fazzio course and the Rees Jones course, both nationally acclaimed courses that share one clubhouse. In addition, the club provides all the standard conveniences of a high-end country club, including exquisite dining and social events, tennis facilities, swimming, fitness and of course, professional golf instruction. Club membership is automatically included with the purchase of a home in this exclusive community. Homes in this community start at just over $1,000,000 but if you ask the residents, the area and its amenities are priceless.