Will the new Short-Term Rental Ordinance change the Downtown Charleston Real Estate Market?

As of July 10, 2018, the City of Charleston's new short-term rental ordinance goes into effect. After a proliferation of illegal rentals marketed via platforms like AirBnB and HomeAway, the City and neighborhood groups decided a set of rules and a structure to manage and monitor them would be beneficial to most who live here. I for one am glad. The term illegal seems a bit harsh, but the truth is, only a handful of properties in Downtown Charleston have been legally permitted for short-term rentals for years -

Incredible Income Producing and Short-Term Rental Opportunity in Downtown Charleston

I can’t tell you how many calls I receive asking the question, “Where can I buy a place where I can do short-term rentals” or “What can I buy that has the potential to cash flow?” And always, for the most part, I have to disappoint. Positive cash flow is tough because of high insurance and taxes on historic buildings...

Downtown Charleston Median Prices are Smokin’ Hot

Here’s a little statistical play for your Monday. Today we received October numbers from our Charleston Trident Association of Realtors and no lie – it’s been a pretty strong fall. In many areas of the country, activity peters off from the summer until the following spring, but around my #1-in-the-United-States pretty urban center, lots of people like to buy homes...

The Elliotborough Explosion – A look inside one of Downtown Charleston’s hottest up-and-coming neighborhooods.

Hold on to your hats dear readers… The Elliotborough neighborhood in Downtown Charleston is on the rise – and it is rapid. While I have been writing about this neighborhood and its developments for years, nothing compares with what is about to come. Take a look at this map I made for a little more insight. The blue shapes are...

Radcliffeborough, Midtown and Morris Square are hot to trot!

Update 3/14 – And two more properties just went under contract! 1204826 – Details: 67 RADCLIFFE ST, CHARLESTON, SC – $139,000 2924994 – Details: 66 VANDERHORST ST, CHARLESTON, SC – $649,990 ______________________________________ Recently I listed a great house in Radcliffeborough at 11 Marion St and promptly went on vacation three days later (with laptop in tow of course!). As Murphy’s law would...

All about Downtown Charleston’s Neighborhoods – a map, descriptions and more.

I created this Charleston neighborhood map years ago at the start of my ongoing project to eventually profile every single neighborhood on the Charleston Peninsula, including photos, videos, recreation, school, shops, restaurants and services. But since many of you ask ‘Which Charleston neighborhood is best for me?”, I thought I’d go ahead and give you a head start. You might...

Downtown Christmas Light Delight – By Bike

Last night it was a balmy Charleston Eve, so my husband and I decided to take a little two-wheeled spin around the quiet streets of Downtown to take a look at the Christmas lights. I don’t know about ya’ll, but seeing houses lit up always makes me happy, so I thought I’d share the holiday cheer with you. 🙂 Here’s...

Inspired Infill – Building Dreams at 264-268 Ashley Ave

Down a long dirt driveway in an unlikely part of town, hidden amongst ramshackle Charleston homes in various states of deterioration, lies a project of such inspiration and passion, the energy of it is palpable. Dramatic I know, but true it is. This is a post about local design consultants and visionary developers – about people who push the bounds...

Appraising the Character of Cannonborough/Elliotborough, Windermere and Byrnes Downs

The City of Charleston recently released what they call “Area Character Appraisals” for three additional neighborhoods which are considered to have a distinct historic importance in the Charleston region – Cannonborough/Elliotborough on the Charleston Peninsula, and Windermere and Byrnes Downs just over the bridge in West Ashley – both well situated to be walkable and tightly knit (so of course...

Master Preservationist Program-Day Seven. Asphalt & Infill. Just how smart are we?

How many suburban strip malls and parking expanses do you see abandoned and lifeless on a daily basis? Tons. How many ex-urban neighborhoods are now struggling to stay afloat? Many. We are all fatter, we drive more, and we know our neighbors less. Yada yada yada – I know you’ve heard it all. But it’s time to admit that the...

Elliotborough