January brought out a new crop of buyers with a renewed enthusiasm in a new calendar year. Sales totals may still inevitably start slow in the first half of the year due to ongoing inventory concerns. Despite home affordability continuing to be an issue, early signs suggest the market is beginning to improve, with more homes coming on the market just in time for the summer months.

Closed Sales -16% |  Median Sales Price + 2.7% | Months Supply 0%

Market Statistics by Area

The facts of residential real estate have remained consistent in 2018. In year-over year comparisons, inventory is lower in most locales, and yet homes sales continue to rise. Although the Federal Reserve’s latest rate hike deterred some buyers at the end of 2018, 2019 looks a little more promising with the Fed Reserve indicating half the amount of hikes, thus in theory creating a more balanced market. With unemployment rates low and wages starting to increase, we are hopeful inventory will increase, although, the biggest concern continues to be affordability.

2017 vs. 2018 Quick Stats:  Closed Sales -4.8% |  Median Sales Price +5.1% | Days On Market -6.8%

Market Statistics by Area

Seabrook Island

When it comes to laid-back coastal living, it doesn’t get any better than Seabrook Island. Just a 30-minute drive from downtown Charleston, this wonderful island community strikes the perfect balance of modern amenities and unspoiled nature.

With a phenomenal year-round climate, pristine beaches and year-round activities, it’s easy to see why Seabrook Island is an ideal place to live, work and play. This private island is a quiet oasis, full of natural splendor and outdoor recreation.

But don’t mistake this beautiful barrier island for your average summer resort town. Explore the secluded charms of Seabrook Island and you’ll soon discover why residents love living here year-round.

THE UNIQUE CHARMS OF SEABROOK ISLAND

Whether you’re a retiree, a working family or simply want your own private oasis to relax, Seabrook Island is sure to delight. This 2,200-acre island may be small, but it has a lot to offer its residents.

Although you’ll find many of the usual high-end amenities on Seabrook, the island has plenty of unique attributes that make it distinct from other Charleston-area resorts.

Less Tourist-Driven

Unlike other beach resort areas in Charleston, Seabrook Island doesn’t have many amenities for tourists. In fact, there are no hotels on the island. Seabrook Island offers rental villas and condos that blend in with the area’s natural scenery. Although this offers fewer rental options to those who wish to vacation on Seabrook, locals enjoy having the quieter pace of life that having fewer tourists provides.

One significant benefit to living on Seabrook Island is that locals can enjoy the summer months without the congestion caused by a huge number of vacationers. Less tourism also keeps the island feeling like one big neighborhood.

Commitment to Sustainability

The unspoiled beauty of Seabrook is a deep source of pride for the island community. Locals are committed to preserving their island for future generations and have implemented numerous sustainable management practices to support these efforts.

Because of these efforts, the island received the Audubon International Sustainable Community certification—the first community in South Carolina to receive this status and the 75^th in the United States. The certification indicates the completion of management practices and policies addressing 14 focus areas, such as wildlife conservation, energy efficiency, health and transportation.

Seabrook is also involved with the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program and retains Audubon certification for both of its golf courses.

No Master Developer

Do you dislike being told what you can and can’t do when building a home? Seabrook Island is distinctly residential in that it has no master developer. That means residents have the freedom to create their own private oasis without strict limitations.

Enjoy an existing home tucked away in live oaks, lush foliage and palmetto trees, or build your own from the ground up. Whichever option you choose, your Seabrook Island home will be perfectly situated in a balance of modern amenities and natural beauty. Click here to view current listings: Seabrook Island real estate

Small, Yet Vibrant Community

Although the island is gated, the Seabrook Island community is friendly, displaying the same Southern charm that Charleston is famous for. Whether you’re dining on the island, popping into one of many nearby specialty shops or getting together with other locals for Sunday brunch, you can expect a warm welcome from the community.

In fact, the island makes it incredibly easy for residents to connect with each other. Periodic social events are scheduled, giving new residents a chance to meet other locals and community leaders.

Horseback Riding on the Beach

For equestrians and nature lovers alike, nothing is more tranquil than riding horses along the beach. Seabrook Island is the only place you can ride horses along Charleston’s coast and the only place in the Carolinas.

Seabrook Island is also home to a large-scale equestrian center offering private lessons, trail and beach rides and horse boarding. For beginners to advanced riders, the Seabrook Island Equestrian Center is not to be missed.

Dolphin Strand Feeding

Dolphins are a common sight in the coastal waters of the Lowcountry, especially during the peak months of their migration. But less common is witnessing a dolphin strand feeding.

Dolphin strand feeding is a sophisticated form of hunting that requires dolphins to work together to herd fish or shrimp towards shallow water or the shore. This unique behavior is sometimes seen by visitors and residents on Seabrook Island when dolphins are migrating down to warmer waters for the winter.

Visitors in the summer are less likely to see this fascinating sight, but locals who live in Seabrook Island year-round have more opportunities to see dolphin strand feeding. Just remember to keep your distance—at least 50 yards—to avoid interfering with this natural behavior.

A Unique History

Charleston is famed for its rich history, but Seabrook has a unique history all its own. First inhabited by Native Americans, the land that is now Seabrook was settled in 1670 by English settlers.

Originally named “Colleton” in honor of Sir John Colleton, the island would pass hands and experience multiple name changes (often named after the landowner) until it settled upon the name Seabrook Island in 1816 after owner William Seabrook.

Under Seabrook’s ownership, the island was primarily used for growing cotton. During the Civil War, Seabrook sold the island to William Gregg, founder of the Graniteville Company.

The town was eventually incorporated in 1987 when 85 percent of the registered voters of Seabrook cast their vote at the polls. A week later, a certification of incorporation was granted to the Town of Seabrook Island by the Secretary of State of South Carolina.

Interested in more of Seabrook Island’s history? Read the entire history by clicking on the PDF featured on the town’s website.

Unpretentious Seaside Living

Unlike other resort beach towns, Seabrook Island manages to offer modern amenities and a resort-style way of living without any pretentiousness. From its golf courses to its fitness and wellness facility, the town’s amenities are well-kept and welcoming to all.

Whether you want to take personalized golf instruction at one of Seabrook’s golf courses, get in shape at SIPOA Lake House or get involved in a special interest group, the town of Seabrook has an endless number of ways to enjoy the finer things in life.

EXPERIENCE COASTAL LIVING AT ITS FINEST

If one thing is certain about Seabrook, it’s that you’ll never be bored. Edged by 2.5 miles of beaches along the Atlantic coast, Seabrook offers a diverse array of outdoor activities and amenities for residents to enjoy year-round. From championship golf to exciting water sports, there is always something fun to do on this quaint island resort.

Water Sports

With 2.5 miles of uncrowded beaches, a deep-water marina and a phenomenal year-round climate, Seabrook Island is the ideal place for water sports. Residents can take advantage of the secluded waters by way of paddleboard or kayak, take their boat for a deep-sea fishing excursion or hop on a jet ski for an exciting day on the water.

Don’t own a boat? Rent a fishing boat from Bohicket Creek Boat Rentals at Bohicket Marina for a fun day with the family. Seabrook Island’s picturesque waters offer endless aquatic activities for all ages to enjoy.

Championship Golf

The lush greens and fairways on Seabrook Island are a golf enthusiast’s dream-come-true. The island features two award-winning golf courses: Ocean Winds and Crooked Oaks.

The two courses are completely unique, uncrowded and offer picturesque views. Ocean Winds, designed by Willard Byrd, is a par 72, 6,765-yard course which takes golfers to the Atlantic Ocean. Crooked Oaks is a 6,780-yard course with a par 72, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. This course winds through twisted live oaks and marshland.

Tournament Grade Tennis Club

On Seabrook Island, there is no need to hang up your tennis racquet come wintertime. The Seabrook Island Racquet Club features 15 professionally-maintained clay courts which are available year-round.

Ranked in Tennis magazine as one of the top 25 tennis resorts in the world, the Seabrook Island Racquet Club is famed for its state-of-the-art facility and natural beauty. In addition to its tennis courts, the facility also boasts a lounge for members to socialize, private instruction taught by professionals, onsite clinics, ball machine rentals and a Pro Shop for tennis gear and accessories.

Become a member of the SI Racquet Club and enjoy the many fun events that they host throughout the year, such as the New Year Mixer.

Unspoiled Beaches

Beaches may not be uncommon in the Lowcountry, but Seabrook Island’s unspoiled beaches are second to none. With nearly four miles of sandy beach shorelines, there are ample opportunities to swim, play and take in a gorgeous sunset.

In fact, Seabrook’s beaches have received numerous accolades. Seabrook Island was recently featured in Conde Nast Traveler’s “9 Best Beaches in Charleston” list and was named one of America’s “Best Restored Beaches” by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) in 2016.

Despite its good press, you’ll never need to worry about beating the crowd. Whether you’re taking in a sunrise on North Beach or playing with the kids at Pelican Beach, the miles of pristine shoreline along Seabrook Island are enjoyed primarily by locals. Remember to read the rules before you enjoy the island’s pristine beaches.

Shopping and Dining Opportunities

Not only is Seabrook Island less than 30 miles away from shopping and dining in downtown Charleston, it’s also a short distance to Bohicket Marina & Market and Freshfields Village.

Located between Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island, Bohicket Marina & Market is home to beloved restaurants, including LoKal Seabar and Fischer’s Sports Pub and Grill. The market also features quaint specialty shops where locals can pick up a thoughtful local gift from Doin’ The Charleston or pick up live bait at Bohicket Ship Store.

Freshfields Village is located on Kiawah Island, less than a 10-minute drive from Seabrook Island. This stylish village features an array of dining options, from gourmet coffee to savory, Lowcountry cuisine. Freshfields Village also has a fine collection of boutique stores, a farmers market and service establishments to please locals and visitors alike.

Final Words

If you’re searching for an easy way of living along the Lowcountry coastline, you’ve found it in Seabrook Island. Peaceful and secluded, this beautiful island boasts all the modern amenities of a resort without the crowds and congestion.

The employment landscape and wages have both improved over the last few years, allowing for more people to participate in the home-buying process. When the economy is in good working order, as it is now, it creates opportunities in residential real estate, and right now is a potentially lucrative time to sell a home. Houses that show well and are priced correctly have been selling quickly, often at higher prices than asking. New listings were down 2.6% and inventory shrank 16.8% while median sales price was up 3.1%.

 Although there is a mounting amount of buyer competition during the annual spring market cycle, buyer demand has not abated, nor is it expected to in the immediate future unless something unpredictable occurs. While strong demand is generally considered a good problem to have, it creates an affordability issue for some buyers, especially first-time buyers. And yet, prices will continue to rise amidst strong demand.

Charleston Market Statistics through April 2017

With 34 people moving here everyday, demand for Charleston homes on golf courses, in resort communities, and on the beaches is on the rise. Charleston is a recreation lover’s dream where folks can enjoy sports and hobbies of all types almost year round. Featured first are some of our most recent Charleston homes on golf courses, but at the bottom of the post you’ll find an updated list of all homes on golf courses listed across all areas of the Charleston Coast. Which is your favorite?

 Our Featured Homes on Golf Courses:

334 Winged Foot Court, Kiawah Island  4 bed | 3.5 bath | 3,300 sq ft

2914 Atrium Villa, Seabrook Island   2 bed | 2 bath | 1,080 sq ft

3143 Baywood Drive, Seabrook Island  4 bed | 3.5 bath | 3,400 sq ft

762 Bulls Bay Boulevard, Mt. Pleasant  4 bed | 5  bath | 5,544 sq ft

32 Ocean Point Drive, Wild Dunes  4 bed | 4 bath | 2,294 sq ft

We can comfortably consider the first quarter to have been a good start for residential real estate in 2017. There was certainly plenty to worry over when the year began. Aside from new national leadership in Washington, DC, and the policy shifts that can occur during such transitions, there was also the matter of continuous low housing supply, steadily rising mortgage rates and ever-increasing home prices. Nevertheless, sales have held their own in year-over-year comparisons and should improve during the busiest months of the real estate sales cycle.

The U.S. economy has improved for several quarters in a row, which has helped wage growth and retail consumption increase in year-over-year comparisons. Couple that with an unemployment rate that has been holding steady or dropping both nationally and in many localities, and consumer confidence is on the rise. As the economy improves, home sales tend to go up. It isn’t much more complex than that right now. Rising mortgage rates could slow growth eventually, but rate increases should be thought of as little more than a byproduct of a stronger economy and stronger demand.

Daniel Island  |  Downtown Charleston  |  Folly Beach

Greater North Charleston  |  Kiawah Island  |  Johns Island

James Island  |  Isle of Palms/Wild Dunes  |  Lower Mount Pleasant

West Ashley  |  Upper Mount Pleasant  |  Upper Charleston Peninsula

Sullivans Island   |  Seabrook Island

Charleston, South Carolina is one of the hottest vacation destinations in the country right now. It offers a rich background of American history, world-class dining, and unmatched beauty. While it is tempting to plan a vacation just in the historic downtown, you’re really missing out on a big part of Charleston’s culture if you skip the beach.

You can’t beat restorative time on the beach. Bring a kite or a Frisbee to toss around while you soak up the South Carolina sun. Enjoy the sweet briny waters and the distinct charms of all of the local beaches to really take in the coastal cultures surrounding Charleston and connect to the unique personality of every beach retreat. (more…)

As we evaluate the final quarter of 2016 (so far), not much has changed since the year began. Market predictions have been, in a word, predictable. A relatively comfortable pace of activity has been maintained thanks to continuing low unemployment and mortgage rates. The one basic drag on market acceleration has been inventory decline, and there is little to indicate that the low inventory situation will resolve anytime soon.

Market Stats through October 2016