Barbara Newton, REALTOR®
Agent Owner, The AgentOwned Realty Co.

Welcome to Charleston, SC!

Real Estate Market Updates
Click here for statistics on Single Family Detached homes (SFD) from Oct. 2010 - Sept. 2011
in Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties

Click here for statistics on Condos, Townhomes, etc. home (SFA) from Oct. 2010 - Sept. 2011
in Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties

Click here for the most recent information about the housing market in ALL areas of SC
(this will include the Charleston area)

Current Mortgage Interest Rates click here

Helpful Links for Local Informaton:

   Recreation and Events - Click here for a link to recreational activities in the Charleston area

   County websites
    Click here for a link to Charleston County 's official web site (includes links for all cities)
    Click here for a link to Dorchester County's official web site
    Click here for a link to Berkeley County's official web site

   My Blog - If you would like to visit my blog, click here. You will find real time mortage rate info and other topics of interest. Feel
     free to post your comments when you visi

    My Favorite Charleston Retail Sites

Info on Charleston and Surrounding Areas

The Charleston Tri-county area has several different communities, all with distinct characteristics that set them apart. I've prepared a very basic description of some of the primary areas on this web page, but if you are interested in going directly to information about a particular area, just click on the name of that area immediately below:

DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON             WEST ASHLEY              EAST COOPER  (Mt. Pleasant area)

DANIEL ISLAND                     THE WEST ISLANDS (James Island, Johns Island, Kiawah, Seabrook, and Wadmalaw Island)

NORTH AREA                        SUMMERVILLE                    GOOSE CREEK                 MONCKS CORNER

                                DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON: The city of Charleston, itself, especially the peninsula portion, is a smorgasbord of extremes- from high-rise condominiums built in the more recent years to small mansions built anytime in the last 250 years. Low-income housing developments can be found in the northern section of the city, while some of the homes in the historic section could empty the wallet of the richest man. But by no means has the middle income individual been left out. Many smaller homes can be found downtown. As a matter of fact, these are the homes that add up to form a large majority of the downtown market. These homes, fronted on cobblestone streets or cozy alleys are far away from the noise and congestion of an average city's downtown section. Charleston's schools are plentiful. Private, church-related or public, they are all in downtown Charleston and most are an easy walk away. For recreation, there are tennis courts, playgrounds, basketball courts, baseball and football fields. A very active Parks and Recreation Commission organizes all kinds of sports and tournaments. Two of the area Yacht Clubs and two marinas can also be found in the area. The oldest theater in the country is here. Charleston also has its own ballet and symphony, art museums and libraries. And of course, each year the city puts on the most comprehensive arts festival in the United States: Spoleto.

                                WEST ASHLEY: West of the Peninsular City and across the Ashley River, locally referred to as West Ashley, is primarily a residential area, but also offers a complete and competitive range of services. West Ashley's largest advantage, though, is its proximity to everything. The Downtown area, the medical complex, military installations and industry are all just a few minutes down the highway. The Mark Clark expressway makes the North Charleston and the Mt. Pleasant areas very convenient and accessible. Because there are so many subdivisions in the West Ashley area, it isn't feasible to tell you about each one. There is so much and so little room. Our Agent Owned sales associate will be glad to show you the characteristics and advantages of living in any of the subdivisions which suit your price range and needs.

                                EAST COOPER: East of Charleston, across the Cooper River, lies Mt. Pleasant. A self-contained city of about 35,000, Mt. Pleasant and its surrounding areas can offer just about anything to anyone. Just a few miles from downtown Charleston yet still distinct, Mt. Pleasant has grown steadily over the past years. Thomas Waring, editor of Charleston's News and Courier, once wrote: "Mt. Pleasant is so intimate a part of Charleston, yet so positively itself. The sentimental heritage of a community that has something worth remembering is among its greatest assets." Crisscrossed by rivers and marsh, Mt. Pleasant offers unparalleled salt water fishing and is also well endowed with many parks including athletic fields, tennis courts and playground equipment. The Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island, two of Charleston finest beaches are within a couple of miles of anywhere in Mt. Pleasant. Mt. Pleasant offers about 11 schools. A Mayor-Council form governs the communities of Mt. Pleasant, Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms. Full time police and fire protections is also provided to the area. Mt. Pleasant offers a wide variety of shopping with a multitude of neighborhood specialty shops and regional shopping centers with a number more in the planning stages. Churches of all denominations are situated throughout the area or in nearby Charleston. The East Cooper area boasts a wide variety of single family homes, condominiums and townhomes to suit every price range, every interest and every family.

                                                      DANIEL ISLAND: As part of the City of Charleston, Daniel Island is a place in and of itself.  This river island has gone thru cycles of being a thriving, productive community, then diminishing into isolation, and rebounding into what is modern day Daniel Island - a well known, self contained, resort style community. The Native American name for the island was Etiwan or Ittuian.  Robert Daniell, for whom the island was eventually named, was a Captain, a Major, a merchant, a Deputy-Governor, a Governor and a Landgrave. In order to be a landgrave, a person had to own a barony which was made up of several thousand acres. Other wealthy Europeans and successful entrepreneurs were landowners there too, but by 1715 Mr. Daniell held so much of the island’s land, and combined with his stature in the colony, the name of the island slowly evolved from Etiwan to Daniell, to Daniels, and then to Daniel Island.

One of the entrepreneurs who operated a ferry from Daniel Island was John Clement, who used his own finances to build a causeway through the marsh which created a more direct route from Clements Ferry to its several stopping points. The ferry was in operation until the end of the Civil War, but after it ceased operating, the island eventually became fairly isolated and remote. The only way to get there was through Strawberry Ferry across the Cooper River or though Cainhoy and then across the Wando River. In 1939 a bridge over the Wando finally allowed trucks and cars to cross onto Thomas Island, and stirred the possibilities that progress brings. When Henry Guggenheim purchased much of Daniel Island in 1946, many changes came about, including the roads and transportation. In the early 1990s, with the opening of Interstate 526, things changed drastically, and present day roads on the island were begun in 1994.

Today Daniel Island lives up to its noble namesake. From 1-526, you get a glimpse of this quaint city within a city. And, much like colonial times, it's small town center includes most everything one needs. In modern times that means a grocery store, banks, restaurants, office space, and all types of medical services. There is a school, and charming upscale homes reflect the rich history of the island and the Lowcountry. In April of 2001, Family Circle Tennis Center on Daniel Island was introduced to the world during the first Family Circle Cup, one of the premier events in women's tennis. The Tennis Center also hosts a number of cultural events year round. The Stadium is a perfect setting for concerts under the stars, and is a perennial venue for some of the world renowned Spoleto Festival events.

The Daniel Island Club features the country’s only private pairing of golf courses by Tom Fazio and Rees Jones on the same property. Its clubhouse offers fine and casual dining, and the formal ballroom is a coveted venue for weddings, private events, and corporate functions. With beautiful landscapes and gorgeous views of the rivers and surrounding marshes, Daniel Island is considered one of the most sought after places to live in the country.

                                THE WEST ISLANDS: James Island, Folly Beach, John's Island, Kiawah, Seabrook, and Wadmalaw Island are the islands west and south of the City. Recreation abounds here. Regardless of your age or interest the Islands can fill your needs. For those who love the water, there is fishing from its many creeks and rivers with catches like fish, crabs, shrimp and oysters. The James Island Yacht Club is located on James Island. Public boat landings line the Intracoastal Waterway and other creeks and rivers which flow throughout the community. These rivers and creeks provide protected waters for boaters to enjoy. James Island has an abundance of residential communities with a wide variety of home styles. Folly Beach, one of the area's four public beaches, is an incorporated island community just 30 minutes from downtown Charleston. Kiawah and Seabrook Islands offer an exclusive and private lifestyle behind sand dunes and underneath the shade of palm trees. These islands offer some residential areas, but mostly are resort properties.

                                  NORTH AREA: On June 12, 1972, North Charleston became a city with its own Mayor and Council and is home to a variety of successful businesses, from the state's largest industries to the military installations to the neighborhood shops. The North area's proximity to the rapidly expanding areas to the north and the more established communities to the south give it one of the best central locations around. It's less than a half hour from almost any location in the Tri-county metropolitan area. Just up the road a little is some of the South's best fresh water fishing in Lakes Marion and Moultrie. Just down the road is Charleston Harbor, opening into the Atlantic for the best salt water fishing you could imagine. The 12,000 seat Coliseum in the heart of North Charleston offers a wide variety of entertainment from the Circus to concerts by national acclaimed entertainers. Excellent shopping is also found with the two largest shopping malls sitting right in the middle of the North Area. Quite a few other shopping centers scattered throughout the area add a generous compliment to the shopping facilities available to North Area Residents.

                                     SUMMERVILLE: Nestled among stately pines, blithely indifferent to the busy hum of the surrounding world, lies the old village of Summerville. To experience the true flavor of this charming and once world renowned health resort, park your car and walk or bicycle the shady winding streets. You will soon be eager to know the history which has fashioned Summerville's existence. Summerville has maintained a graceful balance between the old and the new. Housing is readily available and ranges from economy homes, townhouse condominiums and mobile home parks to middle class subdivisions, country club residential developments and restored country properties. Multifaceted Summerville offers something for everyone. Each spring brings the Flowertown Festival, a weekend-long arts and crafts event for the whole family. History buffs are invited to stroll the inviting lanes and peer beyond the picket fences. Car-bound children will enjoy a romp at nearby historic Old Dorchester State Park. Local restaurants, antique and specialty shops offer tempting wares. Quaint churches abound in the area. The Town of Summerville maintains 2 lighted recreational fields, 3 parks, and 4 playgrounds with 6 lighted tennis courts within the town limits. A full range of youth recreation leagues and programs operate year round. In addition, recreational, cultural and athletic programs are offered by the Summerville Family YMCA, church groups, and other community organizations.

                                 GOOSE CREEK: Goose Creek dates back to 1670 when Englishmen who had prospered from Barbadian land sales arrived and developed plantations in the area. However, it was not until 1950, when the United States military realized the potential of the area for the military, that Goose Creek started to grow. The water and ocean access prove attractive for industrial growth. Alumax, Jim Walter Metals and other companies in Bushy Park are excellent sources of employment. Goose Creek also offers many acres of underdeveloped land for expansion plus excellent railroad and highway networks. Effective environmental management of these resources makes Goose Creek a highly desirable residential community. Goose Creek is "a little bit of town in a whole lot of country". For recreation, the residents of Goose Creek will find waters for fishing, athletic fields, golf course, tennis courts, bowling alleys and of course, swimming pools.

                                 MONCKS CORNER: Moncks Corner is approximately 35 miles from Charleston, 17 miles from Summerville and 16 miles from Goose Creek, making it desirable for those who wish to enjoy the areas and commute to work. The town is on Lake Moultrie and the Cooper River, which connects the Charleston Harbor. Lake Moultrie has over 60,000 acres of water for boating and fishing. The waters are famous for their world class fishing. Also adjacent to Moncks Corner is the Francis Marion National Forest with nearly 250,000 acres for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and picnicking. These lands are where General Francis Marion - "the Swamp Fox" - came to fame as a hero of the Revolutionary War. Although the pace is still blessed by an absence of the extreme hustle and bustle of heavy urban areas, there is still a wide variety of housing available to those wishing to locate here. The gamut runs from budget housing in the 40's to country estates with acreage and lovely homes in spacious tree shaded subdivisions with access to the river or lake. If you wish an historic home there are still a few available for those who enjoy the romance of the past. Vacation villas with tennis, pool and a deep water marina are also there for your enjoyment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR FOR HELP WITH REAL ESTATE IN ANY OF THESE AREAS, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO EMAIL OR CALL ME.