Great news for families on Wadmalaw Island, SC!  The Charleston County School Board voted to transition the Edith L. Frierson Elementary School to a Montessori School, opening in August 2018.  Wadmalaw families with children ages 3, 4 and 5, will be given first priority and second priority will be given to the remaining students of Johns Island, Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island.

While the 2018-2019 school year will be for 3-year old, 4-year olds and kindergarteners, an additional grade level will be added each year, going forward.

For registration information, stop by Frierson Elementary School.  Contact Dr. Davis-Cummings for additional information at 843-559-4500.

You don't want to miss this wonderful waterfront home which just came on the market in the Moss Grove Plantation neighborhood in Moncks Corner, SC.  This spacious 3755 sq ft floorplan is no longer being built and the homeowners put in almost $40,000 in upgrades so no need to wait for new construction when you can have this beautiful home NOW!  

Upon entry of the home, you are greeted by beautiful hardwood floors throughout with a formal dining room on one side and an office with french doors on the other, both with custom moldings.  Transitioning into the living area, you will find an amazing gourmet kitchen, complete with massive island, granite counters, plenty of counter and storage space, large pantry and upgraded stainless steel appliances - a cook's dream kitchen and a perfect area for entertaining your family and friends!

The large rec room in the rear of the home in the rear of the home is perfect for your in-home gym, playroom or craftroom.  And you have a fantastic sunroom as well as informal dining area, both looking out to a beautiful lake!

Upstairs you will find the huge Owner's Suite which has a sitting area, perfect for newborn nursery or relaxing retreat, as well as a Spa-like bathroom with dual vanities, huge walk-in closet, shower and garden tub.  There are also three additional bedrooms with two bathrooms, as well as a HUGE Bonus Room over the garage to complete the second floor.

Owner-added upgrades include irrigation system, rec room with separate hvac zone, sunroom, french doors to office, custom moldings, gourmet kitchen, 5" gutters, window blinds, additional outlets in master bath, 7 tv wall outlets, additional attic insulation, ceiling fans in all rooms, enlarged patio slab, stair railings - over $38K in upgrades! Appraisal in hand!

OPEN HOUSE this Saturday, January 20th, from 12-3PM.  Come on out and view this gorgeous home!

http://vimeo.com/250918405

http://www.sccoastalislandhomes.com/search/results/?mls_number=18000700

With a population of just 3,000, Wadmalaw Island, SC is one of Charleston's best kept secrets. It's one of three islands that surround John's Island, along with Seabrook and Kiawah.

Wadmalaw Island Features

The island is 10 miles long and 5 miles wide. Population density is low, which means plenty of privacy for your ocean oasis.

Wadmalaw Island has traditionally been an agricultural island. Covered with vineyards, hundred-year-old oak trees and lots of dirt roads, the charm of the island will steal anyone’s heart. There are also special estate homes located on the water (mostly hidden from roads).

Natural Beauty

There are many large old plantations on the island. Many of them have conservation easements, which means that their natural beauty will go unspoiled for generations to come.

You'll see some gorgeous water views across the Bohicket, North Edisto and Stono rivers.

Wildlife

On Wadmalaw Island, SC there's an abundance of both animal and insect life.

Animal life includes:

·       several species of birds

·       deer

·       fox

·       bobcats

·       white squirrels

·       turkey flocks

At nightime, fireflies and crickets will liven up the night while you listen to the region's most popular music in your private oasis.

Things To Do On Wadmalaw Island, SC

With all of the wildlife on Wadmalaw Island, it makes sense that outdoor activities are especially popular. Hunters, fishers, and crabbers will feel right at home here.

People who love boating will also love Wadmalaw Island for its proximity to ocean harbors. The intra-coastal waterway, as well as numerous rivers and tidal creeks, surround the island. There are plenty of waterways to explore via canoe or kayak. This way you can see the coastal landscape up close.

So besides hunting and boating, what are some other things to do on Wadmalaw Island, SC? The list is endless, but we suggest you start by visiting the famous landmarks on the island.

Charleston Tea Plantation

This is the only working tea plantation in the entire US. It’s very large, stretching across 127 acres and it produces both black and green teas. It also grows 320 varieties of Camellia Sinesnsis tea plants. While touring the factory there you can also learn about:

·       tea harvesting

·       processing

·       packaging

The factory is open 7 days a week with the exception of some holidays. It offers free tours, as well as a trolley across the grounds for a small fee.

Firefly Distillery

This is South Carolina's largest distillery and is a must-see for all South Carolina residents. Firefly Distillery takes credit for being the creators of the original sweet tea vodka. The close proximity to the tea plantation next door, allows them to create multiple different types of vodkas, the include delectable flavors like: mint

·       raspberry

·       lemon

·       peach

They also produce sweet tea bourbon using the following ingredients:

·       sugar cane from Louisiana

·       4 year old tea from Kentucky

·       tea from South Carolina

If the above reasons aren’t enough, the Firefly Distillery is a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon for the regional indie music that’s often heard across the property. The grounds are home to a one of a kind outdoor recording venue. And yes, accommodations are available.

They also have a tasting room that's open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, with an invitation to listen to storytelling too.

Deep Water Vineyard

Deep Water Vineyard is the only domestic winery in Charleston. Formerly known as Irvin House Vineyards, the property sold to the Freiwald family in 2016. This said, the company continues all the original attractions. Spread over 48 acres, the grapes are grown and harvested right on the property and if that’s not enough, the wine is also made and bottled there. The wines are hand made from the Southern Muscadine grape.

The Deep Water Vineyard has managed to create 5 different varieties of wine and their tasting room gives you access to all the varieties as well as a free glass to take home.

There's also a free winery tour every Saturday afternoon. During the warmer months, they host "Weekend Wine Downs" that have live music and food for the entire family.

Ambrose Family Farm

This farm is open to the public for a you-pick experience from around April to June. The order of crops arriving throughout the season, from first to last, is usually:

1.     strawberries

2.     blackberries

3.     tomatoes

4.     blueberries

The on site Stono Market sells Ambrose Farm's grown vegetables throughout the year.

Family Life On Wadmalaw Island, SC

If you're thinking about raising a family on Wadmalaw Island, you'll be making an excellent choice. The island is beautiful and safe.

However, nowhere is perfect in every aspect for raising a family, and the same applies to Wadmalaw Island, SC.

When it comes to schooling choice for kids, there are many options near Wadmalaw Island including a few to send your children to private schools. The Charleston County School District serves the area and is rating highly among other districts in South Carolina. With top colleges nearby, like Clemson University, College of Charleston and the University of South Carolina, the opportunities for growth are huge.

There are many families on the island, which makes activities for the whole family very accessible. The variety of things to do will allow parents to have a night out, or the whole family to spend a weekend together.

Once you've had your fill of wine, tea, nature and secluded serenity, you might want to head to the lively city on the weekend. Luckily, Charleston is not too far away and getting there usually only takes about 20 minutes. The quick drive allows residents of Wadmalaw Island easy access to the city’s great eats, entertainment and shopping. Make a day trip out of the drive and venture deeper into the city. The Downtown Charleston area is known for its historic charm. Often known as “The Peninsula,” this downtown hot spot appeals to everyone. The list of activities and restaurants is endless and you’re sure to find a hidden gem around every corner.

Fall is now officially here and you are probably thinking that you have lost the opportunity to get your home sold and will have to wait until next spring.  Not in Charleston's market!  Although our fall market does not bring the swarms of buyers we see after the winter holidays, the fall season brings out the most serious buyers.  Why?  Because as people continue to relocate to the Charleston area for Boeing, Volvo, MUSC, etc, many of these people will have employment contracts that start at the first of the year.  So, they want to make sure they have a home secure for their families.  And selling during a slower season does NOT equate to less money.  That is a misconception that many home buyers have based on untrue data that floats around the internet.  With the right agent, and your home being priced appropriately for its present market, you can get the optimal sales price even during the fall season.  The top three benefits for listing your home in the fall are as follows:

1.  Serious Buyers   Although the spring market brings in a large crowd of buyers, that crowd contains a lot of buyers that are excited about the season and fall into the "trend" of house hunting.  These people tend to end up not being really serious about purchasing a home and hold off until another time.  If people are investing time to look during the fall season, they are more likely to be interested in actually buying your home instead of touring it.

2.  Less Competition  Selling in the fall is not something that many families can accomplish due to personal schedules.  That is why a significant amount of homes get listed during the spring season which means a lot of competition.  Selling in the fall means the potential house next door that has slightly more upgrades that may have been listed during the summer, does not make your home sit stagnant since everyone wanted your neighbor's home.  It also does not devalue your home because of the house that could go up next door that could be under-priced for the neighborhood and draw all of the attention.  With a slower season, you get dedicated attention attention to your property which increases the chance of a sale.

3.  Easier to Find Your Dream Home   Not only do you get to benefit from less competition but you will have a much more calm pace through the process which will make it less stressful and everyone will be all around more happier.  If you already have not done so, set up an alert for your desired area and as new homes come on the market, you will get a daily email alert with all of the latest listing info.

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!

Looking to escape the city life yet have an easy drive to downtown historic Charleston, SC?  Check out this beautiful country home, situated on 1 acre, on the peaceful and serene island of Wadmalaw Island, SC.

Nestled among live oaks, fruit trees & always flowering shrubs, this classic southern-style home offers all of the modern conveniences while be able to live in a quet country setting.  Features include a lovely sppacious & breezy wrap-around porch, perfect for sipping sweet tea on a hot afternoon or entertaining friends after an event at the Charleston Tea Plantation, located right down the street.  As you walk inside, you will see soaring 10 foot ceilings throughout, along with beautiful, gleaming white custom moldings and wood floors throughout.  The open concept living area has lots of natural light and offers a fireplace for those chilly nights and a separate dining area.  While guests are hanging out, you can cook and chat at the same time in your new kitchen which includes granite counters, newer stainless steel appliances and plenty of cabinet space.  The downstairs is finished off with a master en suite with two walk-in closets, dual vanities, garden tub with separate shower as well as two additional bedrooms and guest bath.  Upstairs, you will enjoy plenty of space with a large loft and two more bedrooms and guest bath!

Enjoy get-togethers on your lrg grilling deck and open back yard which also has irrigation for having extensive vegetable gardens or additional fruit trees if you would like. Home includes state-of-the-art $3000 water purification system with UV lighting. Easy drive to downtown Charleston (quicker than some parts of James Island!) and the Cherry Point public boat ramp is just a few miles away. Is in a X flood zone! Here is your chance to live in the country with all of the modern conveniences! APPRAISAL IN HAND!

Contact me for more information!  http://www.sccoastalislandhomes.com/search/results/?mls_number=17024890

While it is still too early to tell, the Governor of South Carolina has declared a State of Emergency.  To help prepare yourself, especially if you have never experienced a hurricane before in the Lowcountry, here are some very helpful tips.

Start running your ice makers now and bagging the ice in freezer bags. Fill as much space in between your freezer items as you can.

Freeze regular tap water for pets, cleaning or drinking in tupperware-type containers. REMEMBER to leave a small bit of space between the top of the water and the lids so the ice expands but doesn't crack the container.

Start using up your perishables to make more room for ice in the freezer.

Fill up all vehicles and check tires and oil. Fill up any gas containers you may have.

Cash from ATM, at least enough to get you through tolls and gas out of town. Call your bank if you plan on leaving the state so they don't freeze your card for out-of-area "suspicious" transactions.

Be sure to check your homeowners and flood insurance policies.  Screenshot contact information and send to your email. Take originals in sealed bags or plastic bins.

Pet food and supplies. Vet records in case you need to shelter then at a storm-safe facility.

Evacuation plans and share with family members so they know where you're headed.

Consider putting heirlooms and photos in plastic bins in a high place, second floor, or safe room if you don't plan on taking them with you.

Secure all firearms and ammunition properly.

Old rags and beach towels on your windowsills. Even with the best windows & shutters, water seeping from the wind pressure happens. A few damp towels is better than soaked drywall or floors!

Shutter windows and doors and bring everything outside into your garage or house NOW. Do not wait until the day before. Better to get done early and relax than wait until its too late, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE MANDATORY PERSONNEL (hospital employee or first responder).

If you don't already have your hurricane supplies, you might want to get them now. Shelves are already empty in most places.

Stock up a three-day supply of dry goods, bottles of water, baby formula/food.

If taking prescription medicine, be sure to have a two week supply 

If you have a grill, stock up on propane.

Fill your tubs with water to flush your toilets with.

Lower your pool water to prevent flooding from that.  

Park any extra vehicles in your garage or in a municipal garage if possible.  Do not park near storm drains, under trees or any low-lying areas.

 Most importantly, be safe y'all!

Land in the outskirts of the Charleston area is becoming more and more in demand as Charleston's population grows and no more space to build in James Island, Mt Pleasant or even West Ashley.  Here is your chance to own 1.9 acres in the gated community of The Refuge of Ravenel.  

A lovely neighborhood with winding paved roads surrounded by beautiful, mature trees, you can build your dream home in this w

ooded lot which is located in the back of The Refuge, on a cul-de-sac so all  you hear are the birds chirping and watch deer and turkey enjoy the natural surrounds.  And, you are just a few steps away from the community park which has picnic tables and even a BBQ pit!  Your lot is also boarded on the back by hundreds of acres of woodland.  It is an easy drive into West Ashley as well as Kiawah Island's Beachcomber Park, Folly and Edisto Beaches!  And, shopping and restaurants are minutes away.  And, of course, downtown historic Charleston is a quick drive down rt 17 so enjoy the country life with city life conveniences a simple drive away!

For more information, go to: http://www.sccoastalislandhomes.com/search/results/?mls_number=17019880