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When most people think of Charleston’s history, they think of famous war sites or the architecture found in downtown Charleston. Although the Morris Island lighthouse is one of the most photographed historic structures in Charleston, it sometimes gets overlooked by tourists coming to the area. For locals, the lighthouse is a very recognizable symbol and also a topic that had been in the news for the past few years. I’ve included some information about the lighthouse’s history for locals and tourists alike so that we can better appreciate this historic landmark.
I have had the privilege to travel to all fifty states in America over the last ten years. For some reason, all of my training in writing has somehow qualified me to travel our great country and to take in some of the best (and worst) things that cities all over the US have to offer. So I've spent my fair share of time in cities all over the country, and I'll be the first to tell you that few cities compare to the charm of Charleston.
Few cities in the country have a style of house all their own. The Chicago bungalow and the Cape Cod are two styles that come to mind for having specific architecture associated with the area. In Charleston, SC, you’ll find what’s called the Charleston single. This is a single family house that is not very wide but is very long, and they’re usually two to three stories.
Many people choose Charleston as their getaway destination. Some people want a second home in Charleston so that they can have a place near the beach, so that they can have a home near family living in Charleston, so that they can have a private place to stay for business trips, so that they can have an investment that will provide plenty of enjoyment, or so that they can use the home first for vacations and then for retirement in the coming years.
When I talk to clients about living in Charleston, SC, I am always interested to hear the different reasons they have for moving to (or remaining in) Charleston. Over the years I have heard probably hundreds of reasons, but I’ve managed to narrow it down to the top ten reasons to live in Charleston...
If you are looking to live in a historic southern city with a ton or charm, Charleston may be your answer. Sitting on the South Carolina cost, the real estate market is primed for growth.
With so many nationally ranked golf courses in Charleston, SC, golf is a huge attraction in the area. Some of the best courses are located in Mt. Pleasant and Kiawah Island, but you’ll find plenty of options throughout the Charleston area. In fact, there is at least one golf course in 12 of the 16 Charleston areas. Total, Charleston boasts 22 public and private courses and 13 golf course communities. Most golf courses in Charleston are open to the public and don’t require you to live in the golf community to play. However, there are a few courses on which you can only play by proof of residence or by invitation from a resident.
The general Charleston area is made up of three counties: Charleston County, Berkeley County, and Dorchester County. These three counties vary in tax prices. If you were to compare two houses that were identical in price – one in Charleston County and one in Dorchester County – you would pay considerably more in taxes for the Charleston County home.
We get a lot of questions about schools in Charleston, SC – especially from home buyers relocating to Charleston. When clients tell us they want to be in a good public school district, we give them some of the resources we’ve collected over the years. Most of these are school district websites along with various sites devoted to school rankings for the Charleston area and for the state.
Mount Pleasant is one of Charleston, SC’s hottest real estate markets because it has the best public schools in Charleston County and some of the nicest all-inclusive neighborhoods in the Charleston area. The good school districts and the great home selection in Mt. Pleasant have created a high demand of buyers.
Many of the Charleston areas (like James Island) have a much larger selection of condos on the market compared to townhouses right now. However, there is quite a demand for townhouses in this area since so many buyers want a close proximity to downtown Charleston and to the beach without the high cost. Condos and townhouses are a great way for buyers to have the best of both worlds – yes, location and affordability!
Prudential Carolina Real Estate, the largest real estate company in Charleston, recently changed its name to Carolina One Real Estate. The company opted not to renew its 10 year franchise agreement with Prudential which was coming up this year. The name change officially took place May 1. A month after this transition, Carolina One is still the top real estate company in Charleston and has received overwhelming support from its agents as well as its clients.
Is there something about your smile that you don't like? Are your feelings holding back that smile? If so, this can ultimately take a toll on your facial features. After years and years of hiding your teeth, using your lips to conceal them, eventually this will cause the muscles in your face that control your smile to lose their tone. This, unfortunately, causes the lower portion of the face to sag and droop. This does not have to happen to you!
Charleston, South Carolina is one of the oldest port cities in the United States. The Charleston Harbor has a rich history involving wars and pirates, and this history brings millions of visitors each year to the area. Charleston is also known for preserving its history through its homes and buildings, and you’ll find a range of historic homes to buy.
People moving to Charleston, SC often have questions about where to live (or where to invest). As a real estate agent I always ask them, “What are you looking for?” In order to help people who are relocating to the Charleston area, I have organized my suggestions into 7 answers.
James Island continues to perform well in the local real estate market. Learn why this bedroom community of Charleston is still going strong! The benefit with this real estate market now is that many sellers don’t know the market is stronger in James Island compared to the rest of Charleston. In other words, a lot of the sellers don’t know that they can get as much money for their houses.
Looking for beach real estate in the Charleston, SC area? You’ll find 6 beaches in Charleston to choose from, and each one has a different feel to it. Folly Beach is one of the most popular for residents and tourists. This is partly because it’s the most accessible beach to downtown Charleston. It’s also the most affordable for vacation rentals and for buying real estate.
It's a great time to buy real estate in Charleston right now. Four factors benefit home buyers in Charleston's real estate market. 1) Low interest rates - We're seeing interest rates in the 6 per cent range. A lot of home owners are refinancing right now. Most of what you hear about refinancing in the news right now is related to adjustable rate mortgages. But, there are also a lot of people refinancing to take advantage of the good rates. So, the rates are good news not just for home buyers, but also for current home owners.
Earlier this year Forbes named Charleston, South Carolina the ninth strongest real estate market in the United States. When these findings came out, we (as Charleston Realtors) were pleased that Charleston was given such a good outlook. However, we also wondered how Charleston would fare in the coming months. Only now that we are halfway though the year, we are able to see that Charleston's real estate market the past six months has held its own quite well compared to other cities around the country.
If you’re planning a trip to Charleston, there are several sites and attractions that should be on your list of things to do. I’ve included a list of the top 10! Keep in mind that Charleston hosts a variety of festivals and annual events throughout the year. So, for example, if you’re planning on coming at the end of May, check to see you’ll be here during the Spoleto Festival (since it’s one of the biggest events in Charleston). Or, in December there is a spectacular holiday lights display at James Island County Park. You’ll find special events almost every month of the year, so be sure to check those out!
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