Luxury Real Estate Blog

Charleston has really started to boom and more people are looking for real estate in and around the city, either to move to the area for the first time or to simply take advantage of the up-and-coming property market before prices jump. If you're trying to find a home in or near Charleston, here are four areas to consider:

Of all the beautiful towns in South Carolina, Summerville, SC, may be one of the most promising. The town has a long history as a destination, and yet remains shockingly affordable for such a beautiful gem. As the name suggests, Summerville was originally a summer retreat for residents of Charleston. In the crowded streets of the city, the summer heat and humidity brought waves of mosquitoes as well as health issues. Those with means summered away from the city, enjoying the fresh breeze off of the Ashley River as it drifted through the pines. These are still ma

If you're looking for homes in the Charleston area, John's Island should be high on your list. A small, beautiful, growing community on its own island just outside the city, John's Island, SC, is worth considering for many reasons. Here are our top five: 1.  Natural beauty – Without a doubt, the first thing that attracts most people to John's Island, SC, is the stunning local scenery and natural beauty. Much of the island still consists of woods and forests, meadows, and old farm fields. Real estate in John's Island consists of lots both large and small, as well as plenty of acres of natural land. These lots are surrounded by rivers and creeks, some with a view of the ocean. With two rivers and the Wadmalaw Sound surrounding the island, there is plenty of waterfront property to go around. Locals enjoy fishing, walking, and cycling through picturesque surrounds.

In the past few years Charleston SC, real estate has gotten a lot of attention, and for good reason. Charleston isn't just a good place to invest; it's a great place to live and work. With an abundance of art and culture and southern hospitality to seal the deal, there's almost nothing about this city that you won't like. Here are five reasons you'll love living in Charleston.

Many people looking for houses for rent in Charleston, SC never think of talking to a realtor. After all, w e think of realtors mainly when planning to buy or sell a home. But the truth is that some real estate companies also have a large selection of rental properties, including places you won't find anywhere else. Here are four reasons you should talk to a real estate company about renting a house in Charleston:1.  More selection – Finding the perfect rental is hard. While listings on Craigslist may seem limitless, most are by landlords with only one or two properties. If you take the time to go and see the unit and it isn't right for you, they often have nothing else to offer. Real estate companies manage dozens or even hundreds of properties. They will listen to your exact needs and line up a number of units to look at all in a single afternoon. This gives you the advantage of more options while taking up less of your valuable time.2.  A better price – One of the best reasons to ask a realtor about renting homes is price. The price you pay is one of the biggest determining factors for most renters, and successful real estate companies often deliver more value at the same price range. This is because they hold more properties and can afford to price a unit competitively, whereas small-time landlords cannot. That translates to more square footage, a better location or more amenities in your price range.3.  Luxury options –If you are looking for a luxury rental, then you should only talk with experienced real estate/property management companies. These companies understand the luxury market and know what amenities and security to expect in a luxury unit. They show you only the finest and most well-appointed units and will work to find the home that fits your needs.4.  Professional and reliable management – The bottom line with any property rental is that a bad manager or landlord can mean months or even years of aggravation. It's always best to have a large professional management company that has the resources to respond to calls immediately and do repairs the right way the first time.There are lots of charming house rentals in Charleston, both for short and long-term.  A real estate agency can help you find the best ones for your price range and save you time and money along the way. Have you ever used a realtor to find a rental?

If you're reading this, it's safe to assume that you're interested in moving soon. There are about 4.7 million people that call the Palmetto State home, and a couple hundred thousand people reside in the greater Charleston area. Why have you been looking at Charleston real estate? Are you interested in living in a small city with a lot of Southern charm? Do you want a place that feels like a tropical paradise, such as the Isle of Palms? Are you drawn to areas with a booming military industry like Goose Creek, SC? Are you drawn in by the area's excellent school districts?There are a variety of reasons to move to the greater Charleston area, but even some Charleston lovers may not know some interesting facts about the place they love. For example, did you know that…Bill Murray is the Director of Fun and Co-Owner of the Charleston RiverdogsIs there any celebrity that's more universally beloved than Bill Murray? Almost everyone reading this will have a favorite that immediately comes to mind. Bill Murray is a huge fan of minor league baseball clubs, and has co-ownership of teams in St. Paul, Fort Myers, and Hudson Valley. And don't assume that he's like the average team owner that rarely shows up to games and spends their time isolated from fans in skyboxes. He has thrown out first pitches, and has even coached first base!Charleston has old "earthquake proof" buildings

What made you choose the neighborhood you're in right now? Did you like how close it was to your job, or was it close to a major transportation hub? Were you drawn in by how many families live on the block, or did you love how many young professionals and hip 20-somethings lived in the area? We all have different reasons for why we chose where we live today, but some of them may not have been good ones. Some people claim that their neighborhood just "felt right," but choosing your next living location based on how you feel isn't very smart. If you're looking for houses for rent in Charleston, SC or in the greater Charleston area, don't make these mistakes.

Selling Charleston SC real estate for the highest price is any owner or investor's goal, and several easy tricks can transform an average property into a stellar home that attracts buyers and commands the highest price. The exterior is the first thing that prospective buyers see, and curb appeal is an integral component of total sale price. Bathrooms are another key draw for most buyers, and a new floor, tub and vanity are cost-effective ways to add value to a home. Updating Appliances New appliances that are designed for energy efficiency are another way for sellers to make their Charleston SC real estate more attractive. Today's fridges, freezers and stoves are also designed for maximum usability, and updating a kitchen with matching products is a great way to improve the likelihood of a sale. During the currently tight market conditions, standing out from the competition is essential, and a totally redone kitchen is a great way to meet this challenge. With a host of different textures that work well with any theme, owners and investors can also use appliances to enhance any interior renovations. Renovating Bathrooms The home's interior may not be as crucial to a first impression, but an updated bathroom improves a home's resale value and makes it more attractive to all types of buyers. Investing a few dollars in new tile floors is an affordable way to add value to a home, and many handy homeowners finish their own projects over a weekend or two. In addition, new tubs, vanities and counters all complement each other to create a quality look that is sure to sell in any market conditions. Improving Curb Appeal Having a crisp exterior is easy for Charleston SC real estate, and the inviting environment is conducive to verdant growth that adds color, height and shade. With an updated landscape, homeowners also create the lasting first impression that attracts buyers and wins them over. A few easy projects make Charleston SC real estate more desired by buyers, raise the resale value and let buyers seal a quick sale in tumultuous times.

Renting a vacation property for the summer in South Carolina is a great idea for families and couples who are looking for a great trip that doesn’t cost a lot of money. The following five reasons should be read by anyone thinking about renting real estate in Charleston SC. 1. Save money on meals. One of the main advantages to getting a vacation rental is access to a kitchen. Instead of spending money on meals in restaurants, it will be possible to cook a few simple meals.

Are you ready to purchase a home in the Charleston area? Whether new to the area or a seventh-generation resident, whether this is a first home or just the latest, the things to consider in home buying are similar. After reviewing the newspaper and online listings for Charleston SC homes, one way to narrow down your options is to choose homes of a certain age. Here are a few pros and cons of historic versus new homes. Landscaping: Different ages of home also come with different landscaping choices. Often, newer properties come with low-maintenance, planned gardens that can even have built-in sprinkler systems on a timer. Older homes can come with stately, mature tree cover. This can shade the home and help keep air conditioning bills down in the summer, and create a pleasant place for kids to play outside during the hot summer months. History: Historic homes can come with a story that stretches back centuries. As one of the oldest communities in the nation, this means unique building features, potential antiques to be found in basements, attics, and even buried in the yard. Charleston SC homes for sale may have been lived in by statesmen or pirates, belles or scoundrels. It can be great fun discovering the secrets a new historic home can share. Comforts: What historic homes have in history they may lack in comfort. Air conditioning or even the wiring to install it, grounded electrical wires, leaking pipes, degraded foundations, and crumbling roofs are all risks of a home that hasn't gotten upkeep. Worriers and people who aren't handy may want to consider the security of buying a new home, and knowing things will work. Uniqueness: Architects tend to build communities these days, and the styles are complementary of all homes in an area. For those who like this, newer communities make a lot of sense. For those who prefer each house to have its own unique style, color, and decorations, an older neighborhood and home will guarantee a home no one will mistake for the neighbors' place.