My Charleston South Carolina Real Estate Blog

Lakeside, James Island SC

Tucked away within a verdant oasis, yet convenient to everything that James Island has to offer, Lakeside is a beautiful Townhome community located on James Island between Folly Rd and Maybank Hwy.   Lakeside is just around the corner from the Intercoastal Waterway, five minutes from Downtown Charleston and 15 minutes from Folly Beach.

            Lakeside provides an idyllic setting for its 76 Townhomes with Two and Three bedroom floor plans.  Pristine and verdant, quiet and quaint, Lakeside is located just off Folly Road on James Island, SC.  This Townhome community provides the best of both worlds: concealed but surprisingly close to all that Charleston has to offer. Within walking distance you can find several Restaurants, Grocery Stores and Dry Cleaners. Five minutes and just over the James Island Connector Bridge lies Downtown Charleston, awaiting you with all its glory. Upscale shopping with names like Pottery Barn, J Crew, Be Be, Abercrombie & Finch, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bob Ellis, RTW, Urban Outfitter, Moo Roo, Ben Silver just to name a few; Two of the top Hospitals, Roper Hospital as well as MUSC ( Medical University of South Carolina ); Two major Colleges, The College of Charleston and The Citadel and some of the best Restaurants Charleston has to offer: High Cotton, SNOBS, Oak Steakhouse, FIG, Grill 225,Magnolia's and Cypress are just the tip of the iceberg.

Lush settings and a sense of peace are just some of the many qualities Lakeside offers existing or soon to be Homeowners. Whether you're a potential First-Time Buyer or someone looking for a great investment, Lakeside has what you are looking for. Across the street in the newly converted Cross Creek Village, Roper Hospital is in the process of building a new Mixed-use building complex where Phase I consist of ground floor retail shops and medical offices on the upper floors. Phases II & III of the development will implement more focus on upscale retail, smaller shops and a new slant on up to 200 Residential units as well as a community park environment to tie it all in.

Quite simply, Lakeside has the potential to be one of the best investment opportunities in all James Island! Immensely close to so many different Charleston amenities and smack in the middle of a major redevelopment project, how can you go wrong? Please visit my website and feel free to search all the surrounding areas for whatever your Real Estate needs are: www.HomesByThomas.net

Charleston Real Estate Blog                                   Thomas Cunningham

    I'm trying to figure out the best way to convey the information I have gather for all that are interested in how the market changes here on James Island. If you ever have been or are currently looking for Real Estate, Homes or Properties located on James Island, look no further than here on my website: www.homesbythomas.net.

    If you click below,you will see a report of Homes and Condos that were both Sold and Actively listed for the month of March 2008. In this report a total of 37 properites sold in the month of March. Out of those properties 32 were Single Family Homes with an Average price of of $ 275,678.  All but six were bought through a Conventional Mortgage with 3 using FHA and the other three buying with cash.

    Now, the number of Single Family Homes that were currently listed during the Month of March was a total of 470 with the average price being $ 429,189 . That means that only 6.8% of the homes listed sold for the Month of March.

Sold-Active Report Mar-08.PDF

An Open House on Wadmalaw Island, SC

1766 Little Smith Rd, Wadmalaw Island SC

Have you ever wanted a rural island getaway? Maybe you’re just searching for that nice piece of land tucked away from everything, yet surprisingly close to all that you need? After making your way down Maybank Hwy and passing through Main Rd you will soon come to a fork in the road, bearing left, your immediate left turn will bring you directly to that place.

Sitting on three wonderful acres you will find the little gem of a property. This two year old house provides four bedrooms and three baths with just under 2000 SqFt of living space at your disposal. Nicely appointed, with hardwood floors throughout most of the house, this home beckons for a new owner to appreciate country island living.

An attached two car garage as well as an additional detached, three car garage with a guest house above give you all the space you need for whatever toys you may already posses or soon to, for that matter.

The front patio deck give you a great place to relax watch the world past on by

Good day to all,

I have come upon this book called "Law of Attraction, The Science of Attracting More of What you Want and Less of What you Don't" By Michael J. Losier. I wanted to ask this of all that work extremely hard in this business!

Have you Heard, Read or are currently implementing the ideas presented in this book???

Since the first time I downloaded this book from iTunes and began listening to it, I can't stop!!! Next I found myself looking to buy the Print version and (of course) I DID!! I have begun to think that I am now either addicted or possibly infected to this amazing book! Am I all alone in this feeling or are there others out there inflicted with this same aliment??

Please share with me some of your feelings, ideas and experiences with this way of thinking! I have to admit, I have been implementing some of this ideas and systems and to my amazement, THEY WORK!! Almost in a wonderful, creepy kind of way have things begun to happen ever since I started thinking and acting in the ways suggested by this inspiring book. My favorite so far has been the simple concept of how powerful our words are and the way our mind reacts to them. The idea of focusing your attention on sentences and phrases containing the words Don't, Not and No and understanding that those phrases attract negative energy or attention to the ideas contained in those phrases. Michael Losier explains that if someone was to tell you to Not or Don't think about a particular topic or subject, that automatically your subconscious and conscious mind would filter out the those words of Not and Don't and adverts attention and energy toward the one thing you're trying not too!

Let me know, I await to hear your responses and comments!!

Mar Vista Grande
605 S Ocean Boulevard
(By Sixth Avenue South)

 A new jewel by the sea, Mar Vista Grande stands alone as being one of the premier Oceanfront complexes which consist of three and four bedroom condominiums only! This magnificent building has attributes galore. A mere six blocks South of Main St on Ocean Drive, directly Oceanfront, sits this beautiful development.15 floors total, consisting of 160 units total; 100 of these units are direct oceanfront while the other 60 of them adjourns the sides of the complex giving gorgeous ocean views. The first four floors are reserved for parking only providing the luxury of being covered from the elements. A blessing you will soon learn to appreciate when you get caught in some of the sudden Thunderstorms that tend to pop up during the summer months here in Myrtle Beach, SC.
 The Fifth floor is where it all begins. Being the first floor of condo units it also houses some of the many amenities provide at Mar Vista. Here you will find the Health Club, the Business Center as well as the Main Lobby / Registration. There is also a beautiful open-air patio just outside from the registration lobby.

Now, looking at the photo above which shows the fifth floor layout, you will notice that the condominiums are laid out along the edge of the building. Beginning with the far left side of the building, focus on the unit towards the front of the building ( far left ) This is unit 1; now begin counting each unit moving in a clockwise rotation until you come around to the far right side, forward unit; this would be unit 16. The pattern set here will be that each unit has a set floor plan and its mirror image will be on the opposite side of the building. As you look at the Fifth floor plan, you can see what I'm talking about.

The picture above will show you what the four bedroom floor plans look like. These units are consistently numbers  1 and 16 of every floor and don about 1,625 heated Sq. Ft with a 255 Sq. Ft Balcony.

Here we have the layout of the Three Bedroom units which comprise of unit numbers 2 & 15 of each floor. They maintain about 1.517 Hearted Sq Ft with a 260 Sq Ft Balcony. Now units numbers 3 & 14 of each floor will have a similar floor plans as this one above but smaller in square footage; about 1,447 Sq Ft with a 225 Sq Ft Balcony.

     I continue down the Battery, right alongside the water. At time I slip across both of the One Way streets that make up Murray Blvd. in order to get a better view of a particular house that has caught my eye or has a for sale sign in front of it. As I made my way up to the Fort Sumter House, a woman was walking her dogs. Not one, but Three beautiful (black & white) Springer Spaniels bouncing along with their master in tow. Being a dog lover, I had to strike up a conversation. Beth was her name, she had kind eyes. The type of eyes you expect to see in a person who truly loves animals. I asked about the dogs and if my memory severs me right, all but one were "rescued" Springer's.  Dogs that were either abandoned or just in need of a good home. They were so cute, three different ages, one old, one middle aged and a youngster. Man, I tell you what; I was extremely tempted to take the young Springer home with me that evening. So, full of energy and affection. I had such a wonderful conversation with Beth. She was sharing with me how much Charleston had changed over the years, especially since Hugo hit. She told me that she could remember, before Hugo, that you could be out there on the Battery walking along the water and not a single car would have passed by for what seemed like forever. Just for comparisons, at least half a dozen cars happen to pass by us as we stood there and talked.

                I can't express how pleasing it is to live in a city where people are so friendly and open, where you can simply strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and before it's all over, you just might have made a new friend. God I love it here! Well Beth and I continued on for while longer and before I knew it the sky had become dark and the street lights glowed so warm and inviting. We broke off our chat and got back to where ever we were heading before. As I made to the tip of the Battery where Battery Park curls around and helps connect Murray Ave with East Bay Street, I remember how much I enjoy this spot at night. Not to take away from its beauty during the day, but at night with the hue of the Street Lights resplendent throughout the park and along the water way it makes for a whole different atmosphere. You just have to experience for yourself some time, it doesn't matter what time of the year, you will get the gist of what I'm trying to say here!

It's slightly overcast, a touch of chill in the air, blue sky and sunshine struggling to break it's way through the grey blanket that lingers overhead. It all adds to persona that makes up Charleston really. A place that is known for it's humid, hazy days; it's hot, muggy evenings that give no relief to that heat of the day. It's Sunday and I am still slightly recovering from a cold I had caught earlier in the week. I haven't felt myself all week long and have been cooped up in the house for several days now. A lazy Sunday, as all Sundays should be if you ask me! I slept in today and relaxed in front of the TV till this afternoon. I guess being stuck inside most of the week had finally caught up with me because I had a massive urge to get outside; to just be in the open air; to simply smell the wonderful smells that are unique to Charleston.

Close to five in the evening now; I have gathered myself together and decided that Downtown Charleston is the place for me this day. I make my way over the James Island Connector, get off onto Lockwood Blvd. and follow it until I come upon Colonial Lakes. Easy to find a parking place today, especially this time as well; yet there are a surprising number of people out this evening. I guess I wasn't the only person with the idea of a walk this evening? Walking up Ashley Ave.; making my way towards the Battery now. There is no better way to truly appreciate the Fall sky of Charleston unless you see it gliding over the Charleston Harbor as it into the Ashley River. Absolutely beautiful; a vision that both inspires and awakens the soul. I love walking along the Harbor, gazing at the magnificent houses that align themselves along the water; Their quite majestic really, all the different types of architectural designs that have found their way here along this waterway. I catch myself staring while I walk, almost tripping over my own feet because I'm lost in the beauty of it all.

I continued down the Battery, right alongside the water. At time I slip across both of the One Way streets that make up Murray Blvd. in order to get a better view of a particular house that has caught my eye or has a for sale sign in front of it. As I made my way up to the Fort Sumter House, a woman was walking her dogs. Not one, but Three beautiful (black & white) Springer Spaniels bouncing along with their master in tow. Being a dog lover, I had to strike up a conversation. Beth was her name, she had kind eyes. The type of eyes you expect to see in a person who truly loves animals. I asked about the dogs and if my memory severs me right, all but one were "rescued" Springer's.  Dogs that were either abandoned or just in need of a good home. They were so cute, three different ages, one old, one middle aged and a youngster. Man, I tell you what; I was extremely tempted to take the young Springer home with me that evening. So, full of energy and affection. I had such a wonderful conversation with Beth. She was sharing with me how much Charleston had changed over the years, especially since Hugo hit. She told me that she could remember, before Hugo, that you could be out there on the Battery walking along the water and not a single car would have passed by for what seemed like forever. Just for comparisons, at least half a dozen cars happen to pass by us as we stood there and talked.

                I can't express how pleasing it is to live in a city where people are so friendly and open, where you can simply strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and before it's all over, you just might have made a new friend. God I love it here! Well Beth and I continued on for while longer and before I knew it the sky had become dark and the street lights glowed so warm and inviting. We broke off our chat and got back to where ever we were heading before. As I made to the tip of the Battery where Battery Park curls around and helps connect Murray Ave with East Bay Street, I remember how much I enjoy this spot at night. Not to take away from its beauty during the day, but at night with the hue of the Street Lights resplendent throughout the park and along the water way it makes for a whole different atmosphere. You just have to experience for yourself some time, it doesn't matter what time of the year, you will get the gist of what I'm trying to say here!

MLS Statistics Results
Sales and Inventory History
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Month	Year	Monthly Sales	Avg ListPrice	Avg Sale Price	% Diff Sell/list	Avg DOM	Curr Inventory	Months Inventory
January	2007	40	$438,090	$426,033	97.25%	102	292	7.3
February	2007	45	$334,557	$325,208	97.21%	81	310	6.89
March	2007	61	$329,134	$313,868	95.36%	75	359	5.89
April	2007	54	$400,578	$385,334	96.19%	113	361	6.69
May	2007	56	$347,957	$334,084	96.01%	91	361	6.45
June	2007	50	$339,900	$328,930	96.77%	104	365	7.3
July	2007	48	$345,062	$332,702	96.42%	90	364	7.58
August	2007	47	$329,159	$316,334	96.10%	97	363	7.72
September	2007	28	$405,068	$390,203	96.33%	125	376	13.43
October	2007	33	$315,171	$302,717	96.05%	106	371	11.24
November	2007	22	$303,556	$287,910	94.85%	116	358	16.27
December	2007	30	$375,308	$351,061	93.54%	103	339	11.3
Total		514	$355,295	$341,199	96.03%	100.3	352	9.01
Total	2007-2008	514	$177,648	$170,599	96.03%	50	176	4.5

(DOM) =  Days on Market " Length of time a house has been listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service"

So, What does it all mean?? 

To break it down simply; as the year progressed Single Family Homes being listed for sale on the Charleston Trident MLS slowly increased our inventory. As this inventory continued to increase, so did the days those listings stayed on the market. ( meaning homes were not selling ) You can also see that the number of homes sold per month decreased throughout the year while the actual months those same homes stayed in inventory steadily increased, meaning that what few buyers were out there looking to purchase were not willing to pay what Sellers were listing homes for.

To put it in a nutshell, sellers were not willing to market their listings' prices accordingly! Some blame can be brought upon the backs of Real Estate agents who are not willing or capable to strongly advise their "seller" clients that a proper price correction is completely necessary in order to sell the property. The other part of the blame falls solely on the Sellers themselves as they have refused to accept the fact that the market was shifting towards a Buyers Market and prices needed to adjust appropriately. This sort of "denial" caused property prices to stay elevated  all the while property values started to eroded underneath them. Before long, you start to see a somewhat "panic" begin with some sellers as they have pushed themselves into a corner where they are only left with the option of making a huge price cut  in order to get out of the situation that waiting too long has put them in to begin with!