Charleston Lowcountry SC

Interesting Spring St Candidate for B&B in Midtown Charleston

Editor — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 02:08:58 +0000

After just having written about the zoning change on the horizon in the Cannonborough/Elliottborough area, I uncovered this candidate on Spring St. I haven't taken even a light pencil to the project but it seems to me a titillating consideration.

This 1885 three story house has 6 bedrooms, including a smaller separate unit in the back. It is well located on the crosstown Spring St. In my opinion it has alot going for it as a potentially successful B&B. Of course we'd have to do a little digging to ascertain my gut feel. But considering the price of $181 a sq ft, which is the second least expensive downtown in the over 3000 square footers, it's certainly worth a look.

Picture the huge backyard, swankily landscaped with room for discreet parking. Envision the Victorian house with her high ceilings and long windows, spacious kitchen full of light, and three gorgeous boudoirs(leaving two for you) for your B&B guests. Then plug in YOU merrily whipping up a continental morning repas or a down home Charleston shrimp and grits breakfast in your newly remodeled chic kitchen.

Taxes are $3423 annually by the way. The price is $550,000. Hmmmmm......

MLS 1008658

Incredible Deal on Choice Lot in Daniel Island Park

Editor — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:19:55 +0000

Daniel Island Park is the upscale section of the very successful Daniel Island community. The gorgeous Club House with restaurants, pro shop, exercise facility and more hosts two award winning Tom Fazio and Rees Jones golf courses. Golf membership for the Daniel Island Park property owners is $85,000 whereas the membership for those living on the other sections of the town are $125,000.

So when I saw this beautiful tree'd lot in an established part of the Park, my ears perked up. It is .5 acres, large for Daniel Island standards, right on the fairway, and located on a very quiet street.The houses on the street listed for sale range from $2,250,000 to over $4 million. This lot was bought two years ago for $650,000 and can be had now for $320,000. This is considered to be the country club neighbor.

To compare, a release of lots are being being offered on the golf course, ranging from $300,000 to $490,000. These lots are all smaller than the Watroo lot and do not have any trees. Granted there are some lovely sweeping golf vistas, but for the money, I'd certainly take a look at the Watroo jewel.

Two Short Sales in Mt Pleasant

Editor — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:00:25 +0000

Ion is a chic upscale community that has won wide acclaim for its community plan. The idea is a neighborhood; close, self sufficient with walking and biking a way of life. The concept has been wildly successful here as well as Beaufort SC, just south of us.One of my favorite salt water creeks, the Hobcaw, lines the northern end of the community. Kids can putt around in their small engined john boats and learn the marvels of creek life with happy abandon. The tennis center offers great USTA team competition as well as clinics for all ages.

The architecture at Ion is strictly regulated with great results. Each house has a front porch overlooking the ambling sidewalks. The first floors have 10' ceilings and the second have 9'. The close proximity of the houses makes for interaction with ones neighbors. Hence this "neighborhood" is for real.

I love the feel of the commercial center at Ion. It is like a little village with a pub, B&B, wine and tapas shop, caterer, chic clothing store and more. The little farmers market every Thursday is quite charming.

I have always been a little put off by the prices of the homes in Ion. They bolted up like a rocket when it was first started in the early 1990's but now have floated back down to the low stratosphere with the average price per square ft being $304 now. So it was with great glee that I found two short sales. Here they are:

4800 sf ft, 5 bedroom beauty now listed at $899,000. It was built in 1995 and is quite stunning. Lots of the usual molding, brazilian cherry floors, and granite. The fifth bedroom is over the garage, a nice touch for independent houseguests. It has been on and off the market since 2005 and has come off a high of $1,475,000. At $187,500 a sq ft, this is a sweet deal.

7568 sq ft, 5 bedroom goliath now listed at $1,499,000. Ion hosts a "spectacular curved three story staircase". Just picture yourself waltzing down the stairs in your swinging chiffon! The large screen porch at the rear of the house has its own wood fireplace. Of course all the bells and whistles are here. In my opinion, if one is looking for a BIG house, this is a must see. 10 minutes from downtown Charleston and a bargain at under $200 a sq ft!

Location:

122 W Shipyard
179 Ionsborough

Mt Pleasant is a pleasant place to live

Editor — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:47:23 +0000

With the Ravenel Bridge linking Mount Pleasant to Charleston you can be forgiven you had moved to paradise with heaven right next door. There are many condo's to choose from in this part of the lowcountry as well as gorgeous family homes, well appointed with lots of features. Your problem would be deciding whether to choose the charleston condominium lifestyle or opt for both elegance and space in Mt Pleasant.

Real Estate Resource Guide

With a population of about 59,000, the town recently surpassed Greenville as the fourth largest municipality in the state. Money Magazine ranked it at No. 70 in its list of the 100 Best Places to Live in the United States. At the heart of Mount Pleasant is the “Old Village,” a National Register Historic District with gracious homes from the colonial and antebellum periods.

Waterfront Living Close to Downtown Charleston

Editor — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:03:51 +0000

This slightly older home offers alot for the price. There is nothing like crabbing and shrimping from your own dock. And the sellers are throwing in a 17.5 ft Hydra Sports boat to boot! Factor in the boat lift, and you have a little slice of heaven,

With 3370 Sq ft and 2.5 baths and a price tag of $795,000, this looks to me like a nice buy. Especially when we factor in the in ground pool and the double lot of .71 acres. There is a large loft in addition to the four bedrooms, so it's a great family home.

This house originally went on the market in 2006 for $1,100,000. It has been on and off the market since then. Certainly worth considering if you are looking for a family home on the water close to downtown and Folly Beach.

Pros

Tidal Creek;
Marsh views;
Large Lot;
Inground pool.

Cons

Built in 1986 so probably needs updating

SOLD - "Clerestory" Kitchen Restoration In Victorian House Downtown

Editor — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:29:02 +0000

This well located house on the downtown peninsula was just completed after an extensive restoration by a prominent architect. The kitchen area has two walls of glass and sliding doors leading to an outside deck. Very cool! The house features four fireplaces, marble baths, walk-in closets, a large master suite, and lots more. At 2700 sq ft and 3 BR, 2.5 BA, the asking price is $1,395,000. It has just come on the market, so I'd say hurry and take a look!

Pros

Great combination of Victorian and comtemporary
Gated driveway with parking for two cars
Two minute walk to the best grocery store downtown
Within 5 minutes of the great restaurants and shopping on King St, yet private
Thermal windows

Cons

Probably won't be on the market long, even in these tough times!

New on the Market in Mt Pleasant

Editor — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:54:34 +0000

The Old Village in Mt Pleasant is like no other, unless we believe the comparisons that our clients make to Nantucket. This wonderful "older" house overlooks the expanse of the Charleston harbor, with stunning sunsets and views out to the Atlantic Ocean. The lot size is remarkable, with 100 foot frontage and a large dock. An inground pool awaits your arrival. The Old Village is a true neighborhood, with the hub hosting a real old timey drugstore, grilled cheese sandwiches to boot. One of my favorite restaurants, The Old Post House, is next door. Walk and bike everywhere and feel at home. It's still only 15 minutes from downtown Charleston and 10 minutes to the beach at Sullivan's Island.

This 5BR, 2BA 2950 sq ft house, built in 1968, is asking $2,775,000.

Pros

Old Village location;
Fabulous views;
Inground Pool;
Dock with easy access to the harbor and the ocean;

Cons

Dated house;
Probably needs renovation, which could make it a pricey investment.

Starter Home in the heart of Mt Pleasant

Editor — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 06:29:52 +0000

Starter Home in Desirable Mt. Pleasant at $247,000

This neat 1404 sq ft house has lots to offer to the first time home buyer. It has a great big fenced yard, and is located in the heart of Mt. Pleasant, being 10 minutes to the beach and 10 minutes to downtown Charleston. Close to schools and the shopping mecca, Town Centre, 1629 Babington Way is worth a look. It was built in 1996 and has lots of updates. Pergo floors, a keen little kitchen with very attractive tile, the master on the first floor, and two bedrooms upstairs. With a wood burning fireplace in the living room, you can't get much cosier.

Pros

Great location;
Reasonable price;
Well maintained;
Big attached garage;
Fenced yard.

Cons

Small kitchen

New Lowcountry Architecture in Tidal Creek Community

Editor — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:10:32 +0000

Very cool Lowcountry House near downtown Charleston

1860 Ellis Landing is nestled in a little pocket development located on a saltwater creek near downtown Charleston. This extremely handsome 2450 sq ft house was built in 2007 and has lots of bells and whistles. Custom cabinets, white oak floors, deep crown molding with enhanced casing and a wood burning fireplace with a gas log lighter to name a few. The kitchen is wonderfully workable and features granite countertops, as do the bathrooms. The master bathroom houses a garden tub as well as a custom designed tile shower. The manibloc water system and Rinnai gas water heater are state of the art. The house flows well and feeds on to wrap around screened porches. This peaceful setting on the second row is a true haven. The underside of the house is an entire garage, large enough for two cars as well as your boat, plus it has an enclosed workshop.

Pros

4 bedrooms and 3 baths
Very handsome architecture
Nice location, close to MUSC downtown
Handsome colours

Cons

Not too great for a family with young children
Only four houses built of eight so far

Sophisticated Heart of Mt Pleasant Gem

Editor — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 04:25:47 +0000

Central Mt Pleasant Gem for $610.000

I love the floor plan of this super house built in 2004. The open living area flows right into the dining area and handsome kitchen with custom maple cabinets. The plaster beamed ceiling in the great room makes the house feel bigger than it is. There are dual masters, one down and one up. The current owner has turned the upstairs master into a state of the art media room and will leave all the wiring and brackets for the lucky new owner. This small development of 18 homesites affords easy access to shopping, restaurants, the beach, schools and downtown. In fact, two of my favourite restaurants in Mt Pleasant are a two minute walk away. The nicely landscaped front yard, fenced back yard, and separate garage are all big pluses.

Pros

4 bedrooms and three and a half baths;
Very chic and in great shape;
2816 square feet;
Very central location.

Cons

NONE!