Showing beach property is always so much fun. Recently, I showed 3 properties on Isle of Palms to my client from New Jersey. She’s looking for a getaway place and also a property she can utilize as a vacation rental. Though prices have dropped dramatically among beach properties, the price per square foot is higher than on the “mainland.” Someone once told me that “this is the price to pay if you want to live in paradise.”

Charleston area beaches are much different than other beach areas I've visited. We don’t have high rise buildings or hotels littering the beachfront. Our beaches are wide, pristine, and natural. We don’t have many condos, and single family homes are either older tyle beach cottages or one story homes, or large beautiful elevated homes with all the “bells and whistles.” For the golf or tennis lover, Wild Dunes provides some of the best amenities in this gated community on the Isle of Palms. Isle of Palms has some wonderful restaurants and one of my favorites on Isle of Palms is Huck’s which overlooks the beach. Yes, even in November we can sit outside and watch the dogs and children play on the beach. Occasionally, you can see a brave soul in the water….yes, in November!

November has been perfect weather to view beach properties with blue skies and bright sun….just the perfect temperature to be visiting Folly Beach, also known as the “local’s beach,” “the surfer’s beach,” or “the funky beach.” Folly Beach has so much color and energy with several great restaurants, tee shirt shops, surf shops, and plenty of real estate offices. One of the best things about Folly Beach is that it’s a short drive to downtown historic Charleston. There is a Holiday Inn and a Holliday Inn, but VERY dissimilar. My client and I viewed beautiful townhomes with Folly River views, gorgeous duplexes just blocks from the beach, a couple of small single family homes that have been renovated, as well as, several condos overlooking the beachfront. It’s wonderful to have so many property choices. It’s all about your desired lifestyle, and that’s something a Realtor can’t decide…..it’s very personal. However, I was able to provide my client all the data necessary to make a decision….expenses and rental income history….but it’s still a hard decision that needs much consideration.

I'm preparing to show property on Seabrook Island and Kiawah....two magnificent gated beach resort areas with beautifully manicured golf courses, top notch tennis facilities, and miles of lovely, quiet beaches. Kiawah has an outstanding hotel/spa called The Sanctuary that has all sorts of dining to suit your taste. Seabrook now boast a newly renovated club house that provides all the best amenities for its owners. Property choices are varied but almost all provide some sort of views: ocean, marsh, creek, golf course, tennis course, or private woods. If you want a luxurious vacation or retirement home, there are many grand choices on the beaches around Charleston.