Sullivan Island and Isle of Palms Real Etate Blog

4th Quarter 2009 Home Sales for Sullivan’s Island, SC

By Ashley Thiesen Caldwell | January 3, 2010

View a video report on Sullivan’s Island, SC home sales for 4thQ 2009. You can search for homes and get no obligation tours of island real estate by calling Bob Brennaman at 843-345-6074.

Sullivans Island Real Estate-4thQ -2009 Home Sales @ Yahoo! Video

Topics: General Sullivans Island News, Sullivan's Island Real Estate Market Update, Why Move to Sullivan's Island or Isle of Palms? | No Comments »

Historic Charleston Landmark Turns 200

By Ashley Thiesen Caldwell | December 23, 2009

Fort Moultire - Sullivan's Island, SC The famous fort once built to protect Charleston, SC recently had a birthday.

The 200th anniversary of the official commissioning of Fort Moultrie was celebrated on Dec. 19 with a day of historical presentations as well as reenactments.

Fort Moultrie is the name of a series of citadels on Sullivan’s Island built to protect the city of Charleston, SC. The Fort, built primarily of palmetto logs, was commissioned on Dec. 19, 1809. Fort Moultrie inspired the state flag and state nickname (Palmetto State) of South Carolina.

Many refer to it as Fort Moultrie III, for the third incarnation of the fort. The original Fort Moultrie was the site of the first major Patriot victory of the American Revolution after its spongy palmetto logs withstood a British bombardment. The second fort was destroyed by a hurricane in 1804. The third one was finished and commissioned on Dec. 19, 1809.

In 1947, Fort Moultrie was shut down. A little more than 10 years later, it was turned over to the National Park Service to ensure its preservation and protection. The fort now serves as a popular tourist attraction, offering daily tours showing the fort’s evolution from the original log fort of William Moultrie to the palmetto log fort we see today.

Topics: General Charleston News, General Sullivans Island News, Hurricanes, Isle of Palms, Isle of Palms Real Estate Market Update, Recreation, Sullivan's Island, Tourism News Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms South, Why Move to Sullivan's Island or Isle of Palms? | No Comments »

Ben Sawyer Bridge Closure Postponed

By Ashley Thiesen Caldwell | December 6, 2009

Ben Sawyer Bridge Photo by Brad Nettles

Put those detour plans on hold: The Ben Sawyer Bridge, originally set to close today for 10 days, will close sometime in January instead due to the stormy weather.

The Bridge to Sullivan’s Island will be undergoing construction to add a 640-ton new swing span. The new bridge will, due to islanders’ persistence, mirror the existing bridge, which dates back to World War II. The project is estimated to cost $31 million.

The last minute reschedule is not said to impact the contractor’s ability to meet May 2010’s completion date.

“Rather than rushing to complete the closure before the holidays, the decision was made to be cautious and wait until after the holidays to begin the full closure,” the statement said.

The exact dates for the bridge and waterway closure in January will be determined later.

Topics: General Charleston News, General Sullivans Island News, Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, Tourism News Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms South | No Comments »

BBQ Island Party

By Ashley Thiesen Caldwell | November 29, 2009

If you’re ready for some tasty BBQ, Charleston-style, don’t miss the Island Fun Block Party on Sullivan’s Island on Dec. 6.

The streets will be closed from station 22 1/2 to the Fire Station from 2 to 6 p.m. for the festivities. Bands, Slanguage and The 3 Dudes, will perform, and there will also be jump castles, Christmas lights, outside vending and much more. Post 6 p.m., The Whisperjets will take the stage at for an all ages show.

The event is hosted by Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ.

Topics: Event, Food, General Sullivans Island News, Sullivan's Island, Tourism News Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms South, Why Move to Sullivan's Island or Isle of Palms? | No Comments »

The Flying Turtles

By Ashley Thiesen Caldwell | November 15, 2009

Post and Courier - Charleston, SC Photo by Post and Courier

Few turtles get to experience the joy of flying. However, three lucky turtles managed to finagle a one-way ticket from Maine to South Carolina, thanks to efforts made by various groups, notably the Sullivan’s Island turtle watch group.

A 95-pound Loggerhead Turtle barely fit through the cockpit door of a small two-person, single-engine airplane. Accompanying him were two smaller Kemp’s Ridley turtles. No peanuts were served on the 1,300 mile trip from Biddleford, Maine to Charleston, South Carolina.

The loggerhead was on its way to the South Carolina Aquarium, the other to a Georgia sea turtle hospital to continue treatment after cold waters in the North Atlantic stunned them last year.

They need longer rehabilitation, and the sea turtle hospital in Maine needed to make room for a new season of distressed sea creatures. The loggerhead is also undergoing rehabilitation due to loss of bone and scutes as a result of cold water stunning. However, it is on pace to be released as early as next spring.

“Cold stuns” are an endemic problem for sea turtles when weather changes water temperature too fast for them to move farther south. They become lethargic and eventually can quit moving or die.

The Kemp’s Ridleys are an endangered species; the loggerhead is a threatened species.

The six-hour plane ride was much healthier for the sick and stressed turtles than a 25-hour car ride. The volunteer pilot, along with help from the pilot’s association and the aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital, funded much of the trip.

Topics: General Charleston News, General Sullivans Island News, Sullivan's Island, Tourism News Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms South, Why Move to Sullivan's Island or Isle of Palms? | No Comments »

Fort Moultrie Hosts Tribute

By Ashley Thiesen Caldwell | October 10, 2009

Last week, Fort Moultrie hosted a tribute to soldiers of American wars. Visitors were able to see reenactors portraying soldiers who were stationed at Fort Moultrie.

On Friday, there were World War II Coast Artillery programs at the fort on Sullivan’s Island. On Saturday, reenactors and rangers wore uniforms from the Revolutionary, Mexican, Civil and Spanish-American wars, and World War II.

This year marks the bicentennial of the existing Fort Moultrie. The fort was unnamed and not yet complete when Admiral Sir Peter Parker and nine British warships attacked it on June 28, 1776, near the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. The soft palmetto logs did not crack under bombardment but rather absorbed the shot. There were even reports of cannon balls actually bouncing off of the walls of the structure.

Charleston was saved from capture, and the fort was named for the commander in the battle, William Moultrie. Charleston locals celebrate ‘Carolina Day’ to commemorate the bravery of the defenders of the fort, the 2nd South Carolina Regiment. The fort was eventually captured by the British in the siege of Charleston.

Fort Moultrie was modernized in the 1870s, with huge rifled cannon and deep concrete bunkers. Further modernization in the 1880s turned all of Sullivans Island into a military complex.

The fort evolved with the times through World War II and beyond, but in recent years has been turned over to the National Park Service. The fort is now constructed as a tour backwards in time through the fort’s defenses, from World War II back to the palmetto log fort of William Moultrie.

Topics: Event, General Charleston News, General Sullivans Island News, Sullivan's Island, Tourism News Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms South, Why Move to Sullivan's Island or Isle of Palms? | No Comments »

Sullivan’s Zip Code Falls on Forbes’ Wealth Rating

By Ashley Thiesen Caldwell | September 17, 2009

Last year, the Sullivan’s Island zip code of 29482 fell dramatically from its usual ranking in the Forbes magazine Top 100 Most Expensive Zip Codes list. Dropping from No. 24 to No. 91, Sullivan’s Island saw its median home price fall to $1.7 million.

The drop can be attributed to the recent economical struggles, especially in the high-end housing market. Cash-strapped builders who have had to cut their asking prices to attract buyers and repay their loans are selling many of the homes for sale.

Sullivan’s Island has a history of fluctuation on the Forbes list due to its small size. The market is relatively small, which can skew the numbers up or down dramatically. This year, for instance, the island has only seen 17 homes change hands. In 2008, it recorded just 14 sales.

Overall, most of the markets on the Top 100 list saw a decline on an average of about 7%.

Little by little, local tract builders are starting to think about building again in the area’s existing subdivisions. Last week, Ryland Homes committed to building 8 lots in the massive Carolina Park neighborhood in Mount Pleasant, where 1,745 homes could eventually be built on the 1,708-acre master-planned development. The company will price homes starting at about $360,000.

Harbor Homes, a local arm of Mungo Homes of Columbia, has agreed to build in Summerville’s The Ponds community, an equally massive development that spans 1,950 acres. The group has seven house plans with a base price from $278,000 to $338,000.

Local home builders, for the most part, have operated in a dormant mode in the last two years as property sales slowed. But the latest announcements could signal a return in builder interest to the area.

This is great news for all you buyers out there. You now have the opportunity to own one of these magnificent homes at a much lower price.

Topics: General Charleston News, General Sullivans Island News, Sullivan's Island Real Estate Market Update, Why Move to Sullivan's Island or Isle of Palms? | No Comments »

First-Time Home Buyer Credit to Increase?

By Ashley Thiesen Caldwell | August 30, 2009

The First-Time Home Buyer Credit is in process of increasing from $8,000 to $15,000.

Learn more here: Folly Beach Blog

Topics: Real Estate News | No Comments »

Beach Safety Increases – Hurricane Bill’s Fault

By Ashley Thiesen Caldwell | August 22, 2009

If you’ve ever visited one of the Lowcountry beaches, you understand their appeal. The beautiful scenery, sunny shores and pristine beach homes mixed with usually perfect weather is hard to resist. As relaxing as the beach may be, the ocean water is very dangerous this time of year.

It’s important to be cognizant of the possible dangers when swimming in the ocean at anytime, but especially with a hurricane off shore. Given the right weather conditions, the tide can be very tough and the currents very strong.

Hurricane Bill is affecting Charleston beaches, and lifeguards are currently debating on whether or not to allow swimmers in the water.

Avid Folly Beach surfers, of course, are excited about the recent wave increase. This time of year, mid-hurricane season, is a favorite among surfers. They enjoy the thrills of high waves, strong rip currents and a moody ocean.

But for the average swimmer, these conditions are deadly.

Surface wind can help create narrow, fast moving channels of water. These channels flowing out to sea are known as rip currents. Being caught in a rip current could potentially be fatal. Knowing what to do if you find yourself in a similar situation can save your life.

Lifeguards at the Isle of Palms, along with local fire rescue teams on jet skis have saved over a dozen lives in the past couple weeks. The situations were a direct result of rip currents. Most swimmers caught in rip currents generally are not aware of the subtle, but strong forces pulling them out to sea.

Due to the geography of Sullivan’s Island, the rip currents are generally much stronger than most beaches. The safest place to swim at one of the island beaches is in the water near the middle. The water coming around the ends of the island tend to have the stronger currents. Other places to avoid swimming are areas near jetties, inlets and sandbars.

While it’s no fun to be paranoid when enjoying Charleston’s beaches, it is important to be educated. Be safe while you’re having fun so you can be sure to come back year after year.

Topics: General Charleston News, General Sullivans Island News, Hurricanes, Isle of Palms, Sailing, Sullivan's Island, Tourism News Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms South, Why Move to Sullivan's Island or Isle of Palms? | No Comments »

Vacation Packages to Sullivan’s Island

By Ashley Thiesen Caldwell | August 16, 2009

Labor Day is right around the corner but that does not mean your summer has to come to an end. If you’re thinking about moving to the Charleston area or simply want to take a first class vacation, there are still numerous vacation packages available to the Charleston area.

If you are planning on flying to Charleston, check into Air Tran’s rates from Atlanta to the Charleston airport. They’re known to be extremely low, and I would recommend booking them separate from your ticket to Atlanta. Of course, if you’re in the mood for a mini-road trip, the drive from Atlanta to Charleston is about 6 hours.

I took the following package information from the Atlantic Journal Constitution:

On one of the region’s most beautiful beaches, Folly Beach Holiday Inn Oceanfront provides families the chance to experience all things summer. The three-day, two-night “Water, Water Everywhere” package starts from $495 weekdays or $575 weekends on stays through Aug. 30 Included are accommodations for two nights in an oceanfront room, a beach bag loaded with summer must-haves such as a beach towel, bottled water and trail mix, tickets to the South Carolina Aquarium or Splash Zone Water Park, and ice cream for the entire family. Call to book, 843-588-6464;

For travelers who like to saddle-up for a bit of adventure, the “Blazin’ Saddles” package with ResortQuest is a perfect fit for a ride into the summer sunset. Guests can explore the beautiful barrier island of Seabrook on horseback along the beach or on trails through a maritime forest. The package starts from $180 per person, per night. Included is a three-night stay in a one-bedroom villa through resortquestcharleston.com (a collection of more than 800 villas, cottages, private homes in the region), an advanced-level trail ride and beach ride and a one-hour Swedish massage. Call to book at 1-866-468-0762 and mention promo code 7013.

Perfect for families looking to make the most out of the season’s final days, the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina offers the “”Sullivan’s Island Beach Experience” package with all that’s necessary to enjoy the city of Charleston and the nearby historic beach town of Sullivan’s Island. With room rates from $129 per night, guests enjoy accommodations, transportation to and from Sullivan’s Island (9 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m.), a tote bag full of beach toys, a boxed lunch and beverages and Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina cooler and koozies.

While you’re in the area, be sure to give Bob Brennaman a call at 843-345-6074. He offers complimentary tours of all the Charleston areas and is the leading area expert on all things real estate.

Topics: Event, General Charleston News, General Sullivans Island News, Isle of Palms, Marinas, Recreation, Sailing, Sullivan's Island, Sullivan's Island Real Estate Market Update, Tourism News Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms South, Uncategorized, Why Move to Sullivan's Island or Isle of Palms? | No Comments »

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