Charleston South Carolina is blessed to have many fun things to do, attractions and activities to choose from when visiting the area. Below are a list of the area’s most well known, and loved fun festivals, gatherings, and outdoor tourist destinations in Charleston area.
There are essentially 4 beaches in the Charleston area: Folly beach is the more “crazy” youthful and less family oriented of them. The Isle of Palms & Wild Dunes beaches, which vary between quiet and good for families to the fun “party” block near the Windjammer. Sullivan’s Island which connects to Isle of Palms, is a little more laid back and even more quiet and offers a slightly more private less touristy feel.
Lastly is the beaches of Kiawah and Seabrook which are most reserved for those that live on Kiawah or Seabrook or are staying in one of the resort’s homes. These beaches are very private, quiet and pristine.If you love to be outdoors then come visit our wonderful city and have some fun.
If you have children here are some fun ideas to tire them out:
Whirlin Waters Adventure Waterpark -(NORTH CHARLESTON)
2018 Schedule
Admission – Save more with Extra Value Days or a Super Splash Pass
SPLASH ZONE WATERPARK JAMES ISLAND
SPLASH ISLAND IN MOUNT PLEASANT
Attractions
Admission*
Spoleto USA – Nation’s Largest Arts Festival.
Piccolo Spoleto – Piccolo Spoleto (smaller version of Spoleto which is 2 weeks) is the perfect complement to the international scope of its parent festival and its 700 events in 17 days, transforms Charleston into an exhilarating celebration of performing, literary and visual arts.
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition – A 3-day celebration of nature that has earned a reputation for excellence, SEWE now hosts the world’s foremost experts in wildlife and nature art, as well as conservation research and environmental education.
Charleston Boat Show – The biggest boat show and sale in the Charleston Area, returns to the Convention Center, with hundreds of boats from the area’s top retailers on display.
Low Country Oyster Festival – Every year our waters bloom with some of the best, most succulent oysters in the United States and we like to celebrate how blessed we are have them right in our back yard.
Charleston Food and Wine Festival – A festival showcasing the best that Charleston has to offer in restaurants, chefs, and dining for the foodie in all of us.
Interesting Places to Visit:
Charlestown Landing – The first place settled in Charleston SC
Patriots Point – One of the largest Naval museums of its kind in the world The USS Yorktown with the addition of other ships such as the destroyer USS Laffey, known as The Ship That Would Not Die. The Treasury class Coast Guard cutter Ingham would join the Patriots Point battle group along with the Balao class submarine Clamagore.
Boone Hall Plantation – Boone Hall is also one of America’s oldest working, living plantations. We have been continuously growing and producing crops for over 320 years.
Fort Sumter – Fort Sumter was built following the War of 1812 , as one of a series of fortifications on the southern U.S. coast. Construction began in 1827, and the structure was still unfinished in 1860, when the conflict began.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens – Founded in 1676 by the Drayton family, Magnolia Plantation has survived the centuries and witnessed the history of our nation unfold before it from the American Revolution through the Civil War and beyond.
Middleton Place – National Historic Landmark and a carefully preserved 18th-century plantation that has survived revolution, Civil War, and earthquake
Cypress Gardens – Outdoor kayaking through native cypress swamp and trees with alligators, wildlife, flowers and more.
The Angel Oak Tree – is a Live Oak that is a native species found throughout the Lowcountry (Coastal Carolina). This tree on Johns Island is believed to be in excess of 1500 years old. Is a national landmark here in Charleston, SC.
Charleston Stage – At the Historic Dock Street Theatre, Charleston Stage has presented over 150 productions and played to a collective audience of over one million strong.
Footlight Players – Shows and Plays in Charleston SC – The Footlight Players presents six plays in a regular season, stage productions which mark them as one of the leading community theatres in the South. Generations of plays presented by and for the community have consolidated the aims of the Footlight Players:
Theatre 99 – As “Charleston’s Home For Improv Comedy”, improv is our thang, but we also offer sketch and stand up, cabaret, music, and other raucous entertainment for people who groove to something saltier than the mainstream.
South Of Broad Theatre Company – Charleston SC’s local version of Broadway
Good new for all; mortgage rates fall once more in Charleston, SC along with the rest of the U.S. 30 Year mortgage rates dropped to 3.40% last week, down from 3.41% the week before and although not a huge drop, anything lower is better than an increase. Last year this time rates were at 3.88% for a 30 year fixed. Even better, for those who qualify, the average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage hit a record low 2.61% this week, down from 2.64% in the prior week. Freddie Mac began keeping nationwide average records in 1971.
“The housing market is getting a boost with mortgage rates hovering at or near record lows,” said Frank Nothaft, a vice president and chief economist at Freddie Mac. On the housing front, existing home sales averaged an annualized pace of 4.9 million the first three months of the year, the most since the fourth quarter of 2009. Furthermore, new home sales jumped to 424,000 during the first quarter, strongest showing since the third quarter of 2008.
These lower interest rates are almost sure to improve the Charleston, South Carolina housing market and send prices further higher. With the lack of inventory coupled with very low rates many prospective homebuyers are finding it increasingly difficult to find the home they want as supplies dwindle.
For those who know they may only be in their home for 5 years or less; considering an short term adjustable rate mortgage could be the best option as the 5 year treasury ARM have hit a record low at 2.58% down from 2.6% last week which could equate in considerable savings if your rate is anywhere above 4.5%.
Some Info Provided by USEToday.comRelocating to Mount Pleasant SC | Information about Mt Pleasant South Carolina
Mount Pleasant (real estate) is a suburban town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, within the Charleston–North Charleston–Summerville Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the fifth largest municipality in South Carolina, and for several years it was one of the state’s fastest growing areas, literally doubling in population size between 1990 and 2000. The population was 47,609 at the 2000 census. As of 2007, the town had an estimated population of 67,707. Mount Pleasant, SC is the 3rd largest municipality in this metro behind Charleston and North Charleston. The Mt Pleasant real estate market is probably the most resilient of all of Charleston, and consistently home prices and home sales retain their strength as compared to other areas in Charleston. Mount Pleasant, SC is the newest area community in the Low-country with fun things to do like: Shem Creek, The Town Center (shopping), Coleman Blvd, great restaurants and more, all close to the beaches of Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island. The cost of living in Mount Pleasant SC is probably one of the more expensive in S.C for a suburban community. Although not on the beach it’s more costly than living in Columbia, or Greenville, and to get a nice home will probably cost minimum of $300,000. The taxes and insurances are usually double and triple that of anywhere else in South Carolina aside from similar tourist type communities like Hilton Head, or Myrtle Beach.
So where to buy a home if relocating to Mount Pleasant SC? I have lived in Mt. Pleasant since I moved to Charleston in 1999. If I were to characterize it I would put it this way. It is the young urban professional area of Charleston County, suburbia at its greatest. What you may not know is that there are kind of two parts of Mt. Pleasant. The heart of Mt. Pleasant (older area) and newer Mt. Pleasant. There are many great communities in Mount Pleasant with homes for sale.
Mount Pleasant is close to Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Daniel Island and depending on if you live in the newer part or the heart you are only 15 mins from downtown Charleston.
If you have children Mt. Pleasant has some of the nicest and best public schools in the Charleston area, but they are located in newer Mt. Pleasant. Newer Mt. Pleasant has a few noteworthy communities. The commonly mentioned neighborhoods: Hamlin Plantation, Dunes West, Park West and Rivertowne. About 30 mins from downtown these communities are very large and located either on or near a golf course. The problem with living on this side of Mt. Pleasant is the traffic and its distance from shopping, activities, and downtown. Located up hwy 17, getting there can be a pain especially when its tourist season, 5 o’clock or early morning. A community worth mentioning that is a little older, but on that side of Mt. Pleasant is Charleston National. These homes were built in the early 90’s whereas Dunes West, Park West and Rivertowne are around 10 years old or newer. My opinion on this side of Mt. Pleasant is; if you have children, can tolerate some annoying traffic at times, and like golf its a great place to buy a home.
Older Mt. Pleasant a.k.a the heart of Mt. Pleasant is located very close to the Isle of Palms connector and I’d say most think of the Mt. Pleasant town center. The benefits of living in the heart of Mount Pleasant are mostly its proximity to all that Mt Pleasant has to offer.. like shopping, dining, movies and convenience to the islands and downtown.
If you like older quaint communities one that is mention-able is the Old Village. The Old Village real estate for sale is comprised mostly of older homes built in the 50’s and up.. The lots are large, there are mature trees, and there are no restrictions to what you can do with your lot. This is a very desired neighborhood because of its charm and subsequently the prices reflect it. BUT, my favorite neighborhoods in all of Mt. Pleasant are Olde Park and I’On Village.
So what about new construction in Mt Pleasant SC you ask? Although dirt is hard to come by and pretty darned expensive if you are a developer, don’t worry there are still new homes being built. For now, that is. However, most of them are in Mt Pleasant “north” as described earlier except for Scott’s Creek shown above and Watermark.
VA mortgages Charleston SC | Where to Get VA Loans in Charleston SC | Information About
There seems to be a little confusion to the fine men and women that serve and protect our great country. As a Charleston, SC area real estate agent whose father served in the Army, father-in-law who served 25+ years in Coast Guard and countless other friends who have also served. I want to help by trying to simplify the confusion that is getting a VA loan. The VA loans still offer 100% mortgage financing for veterans that qualify, however as a one time mortgage expert for over 14 years I do not suggest financing 100% if you can avoid it. (View OTHER type of NO money down mortgage). The 2018 VA loan limit increased to $453,100 in 2018 from $424,100 except in 220 high cost counties where they are higher. This represents a 6.8% increase this year. For comparison there are 3,234 counties and county equivalents.
First the VA does NOT lend the money, but in fact the VA guarantees the loan to the bank that agrees to lend the money to the Charleston, SC veteran that has been approved. When buying a house the service member must contact a Charleston, SC VA mortgage lender or bank that offers VA loans and apply. Make sure to find one that is experienced in doing VA loans as they are a little more detailed and stringent than conventional or FHA loans.
With a Purchase Loan, VA can help you purchase a home at a competitive interest rate, and if you have found it difficult to find other financing. VA’s Cash-Out Refinance Loan is for homeowners who want to take cash out of your home equity to take care of concerns like paying off debt, funding school, or making home improvements. The Cash-Out Refinance Loan can also be used to refinance a non-VA loan into a VA loan. VA will guarantee loans up to 100% of the value of your home. Most VA Home Loans are handled entirely by private lenders and VA rarely gets involved in the loan approval process. VA “stands behind” the loan by guaranteeing a portion of it. If something goes wrong and you can’t make the payments anymore, the lending institution can come to veteran’s administration to cover any losses they might incur. The VA loan guaranty is the “insurance” that we provide the lender.
The guarantee VA provides to mortgage lenders allows them to provide you with more favorable terms, including:
You should also know that:
Information From CTAR
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