If you're looking for homes in the Charleston area, John's Island should be high on your list. A small, beautiful, growing community on its own island just outside the city, John's Island, SC, is worth considering for many reasons. Here are our top five:

1.  Natural beauty – Without a doubt, the first thing that attracts most people to John's Island, SC, is the stunning local scenery and natural beauty. Much of the island still consists of woods and forests, meadows, and old farm fields. Real estate in John's Island consists of lots both large and small, as well as plenty of acres of natural land. These lots are surrounded by rivers and creeks, some with a view of the ocean. With two rivers and the Wadmalaw Sound surrounding the island, there is plenty of waterfront property to go around. Locals enjoy fishing, walking, and cycling through picturesque surrounds.

2.  Charleston is minutes away – Despite all of its verdant, untouched land, John's Island is still extremely accessible from Charleston. From most of the island, downtown Charleston is just a 10 minute drive away—with two bridges and an expressway to get you around. This allows you to not only work in Charleston, but to enjoy the culture and nightlife of the big city without also living in a crowded urban neighborhood. It's truly the best of both worlds.

3.  Friendly, close-knit community – The John's Island community has truly held onto a sense of small town friendliness. While the large lots and untouched land allow John's Island residents plenty of privacy, you'll also find that people smile or wave when strolling down the streets in town and that folks will remember your name. It's a safe, supportive community.

4.  Price – Despite its up-and-coming status and incredible beauty, John's Island remains affordable. There are many houses in the $200,000-$400,000 range. Of course, there are plenty of high-end options for those who want to truly live large, but the family with the average income will have just as many choices.

5.  Long-term value – Sometimes, you can just tell a community is going places and there's no doubt that John's Island is. With such a great location, new land freshly opened up, and so much natural beauty, a home purchased in John's Island today is sure to be a good investment.

Are you considering a move to John's Island? 

In the past few years Charleston SC, real estate has gotten a lot of attention, and for good reason. Charleston isn't just a good place to invest; it's a great place to live and work. With an abundance of art and culture and southern hospitality to seal the deal, there's almost nothing about this city that you won't like. Here are five reasons you'll love living in Charleston.

Metropolitan, but charming

With less than 150,000 people in the city proper, Charleston is the king of big but not too big. The soaring downtown, strong local culture and endless nightlife opportunities would have you thinking you're in a giant metropolis, except that this city is cleaner, safer and more affordable than most big cities can dream of. Maintaining its historic charm, Charleston combines the best of old and new, which makes Charleston, SC real estate an excellent option for those who want city living plus peace and quiet.

Great food and drink

Charleston is a food lover's paradise. With both fresh seafood and a strong history of mouth-watering Southern cooking, Charleston has almost endless options for dining that always seem to combine classic ideas in new ways. Shrimp and grits are an undeniable favorite that every local place has their own take on, and South Carolina style barbecue seems to perfectly sear in the flavor of meat without drying it out. There is also a strong trend toward creative new fine dining spots as well, with a New American movement that won't leave you disappointed.

A fabulous art scene

Charleston has become a more sophisticated and vibrant place over the past decades and that includes a burgeoning art scene. Aside from the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art and other fine museums, you'll also discover galleries, local artists, and tons of art events.

The ocean

Charleston enjoys a prime location on one of America's finest sections of shoreline. Aside from the inland beauty of the Low Country, you get all the majesty of the ocean. That includes the aforementioned seafood, as well as a large harbor with options for fishing and boating. But the real lure are the gorgeous white sand beaches just minutes out of town, that offer seemingly endless fun with a very long sunny season.

Property values

While everyone comes to Charleston for a different reason, one thing we can all agree on is that we want our homes to be investments that will pay off. With a number of up-and-coming neighborhoods and a strong economy, Charleston offers amazing opportunities to buy low and one day sell high.

Are you considering buying real estate in Charleston?

Anyone considering buying a home in South Carolina should look closely at Mount Pleasant, SC real estate. Mount Pleasant is often thought of as an exclusive town, but there is a surprising selection of mid-range homes. Here are four of the top reasons to buy real estate in Mount Pleasant:

1.  Easy access to Charleston – Mount Pleasant gives you a short, easy drive to Charleston with none of the drawbacks of living in a city. Located just across the Cooper River, Mount Pleasant residents have an easy commute into the city for work or nightlife, but get to enjoy the slower pace, larger yards and greener landscapes of a smaller, historic town. The 8-lane bridge over the river provides a smooth and uncongested drive between the cities. This proximity is a plus for all Mount Pleasant, SC real estate.

2.  Charm and beauty – Mount Pleasant was named accurately. Located on both the river and the coast, Mount Pleasant offers scenery that is the envy of the South. Oak-lined lanes lead to old plantation homes, while parks and the surrounding countryside stay green year-round. There are hidden local fishing spots, a bustling harbor, lots of outdoors recreation, and beaches within a short drive. The town's natural and historic beauty have made it a destination for vacationers who are seeking fun and relaxation, and also make it the perfect place to live.

3.  The community – The town doesn't just look nice; it's also full of nice people. Mount Pleasant property owners tend to be a warm and close-knit group, who are looking to improve the community. This comes partly from Mount Pleasant's history a small town, where people still say hello to each other on the street, and partly from the caliber of buyer who tends to be attracted to Mount Pleasant in the first place—often established or up and coming professionals who believe a rising tide lifts all boats.

4.  Home values – No matter how nice a community is, the bottom line is always the final decider in real estate. With Mount Pleasant real estate you can be assured of property values that will rise for years to come. Mount Pleasant has been an in-demand area for centuries. Founded in the 1600s, it has a long-established reputation as the ideal place to live or visit, reflected in the strong appreciation of its property values even when other zip codes are struggling.

Are you considering buying real estate in Mount Pleasant?

Many people looking for houses for rent in Charleston, SC never think of talking to a realtor. After all, we think of realtors mainly when planning to buy or sell a home. But the truth is that some real estate companies also have a large selection of rental properties, including places you won't find anywhere else. Here are four reasons you should talk to a real estate company about renting a house in Charleston:

1.  More selection – Finding the perfect rental is hard. While listings on Craigslist may seem limitless, most are by landlords with only one or two properties. If you take the time to go and see the unit and it isn't right for you, they often have nothing else to offer. Real estate companies manage dozens or even hundreds of properties. They will listen to your exact needs and line up a number of units to look at all in a single afternoon. This gives you the advantage of more options while taking up less of your valuable time.

2.  A better price – One of the best reasons to ask a realtor about renting homes is price. The price you pay is one of the biggest determining factors for most renters, and successful real estate companies often deliver more value at the same price range. This is because they hold more properties and can afford to price a unit competitively, whereas small-time landlords cannot. That translates to more square footage, a better location or more amenities in your price range.

3.  Luxury options –If you are looking for a luxury rental, then you should only talk with experienced real estate/property management companies. These companies understand the luxury market and know what amenities and security to expect in a luxury unit. They show you only the finest and most well-appointed units and will work to find the home that fits your needs.

4.  Professional and reliable management – The bottom line with any property rental is that a bad manager or landlord can mean months or even years of aggravation. It's always best to have a large professional management company that has the resources to respond to calls immediately and do repairs the right way the first time.

There are lots of charming house rentals in Charleston, both for short and long-term.  A real estate agency can help you find the best ones for your price range and save you time and money along the way. Have you ever used a realtor to find a rental?

If you're reading this, it's safe to assume that you're interested in moving soon. There are about 4.7 million people that call the Palmetto State home, and a couple hundred thousand people reside in the greater Charleston area. Why have you been looking at Charleston real estate? Are you interested in living in a small city with a lot of Southern charm? Do you want a place that feels like a tropical paradise, such as the Isle of Palms? Are you drawn to areas with a booming military industry like Goose Creek, SC? Are you drawn in by the area's excellent school districts?

There are a variety of reasons to move to the greater Charleston area, but even some Charleston lovers may not know some interesting facts about the place they love. For example, did you know that…

Bill Murray is the Director of Fun and Co-Owner of the Charleston Riverdogs

Is there any celebrity that's more universally beloved than Bill Murray? Almost everyone reading this will have a favorite that immediately comes to mind. Bill Murray is a huge fan of minor league baseball clubs, and has co-ownership of teams in St. Paul, Fort Myers, and Hudson Valley. And don't assume that he's like the average team owner that rarely shows up to games and spends their time isolated from fans in skyboxes. He has thrown out first pitches, and has even coached first base!

Charleston has old "earthquake proof" buildings

If you go into downtown Charleston, you may notice that some of the older buildings have black disks or crossed bolts on the outside. Those iron pieces aren't there for decoration; they're there to help protect the buildings from earthquakes. When most people think about earthquakes in the United States, they are usually imagining events out west. Although it isn't common, earthquakes do occur on the east coast. In 1886, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake devastated the Charleston area. After the quake, structures were built with earthquake tension rods to strengthen them. The black circles and crosses you see are the ends of the rods that were put in more than century ago!

Old Charleston homes were built for optimal comfort

Charleston summers can be brutal, even if you have an air conditioner or fan. In the past, Charleston residents dealt with the heat the best way they could: by designing their houses so that they were as comfortable as possible. Traditional homes and buildings in Charleston had decks and piazzas that faced south or west to make sure that residents got ample cooling breezes. Some of the older buildings even had their entertaining rooms on the second floor to avoid mosquitoes, which can't fly that high.

What made you choose the neighborhood you're in right now? Did you like how close it was to your job, or was it close to a major transportation hub? Were you drawn in by how many families live on the block, or did you love how many young professionals and hip 20-somethings lived in the area? We all have different reasons for why we chose where we live today, but some of them may not have been good ones. Some people claim that their neighborhood just "felt right," but choosing your next living location based on how you feel isn't very smart. If you're looking for houses for rent in Charleston, SC or in the greater Charleston area, don't make these mistakes.

Ignoring unpleasant facts for a few positives

You have found a house that you are absolutely in love with. It's everything you've ever dreamed of and it's close to your friends, but there are a few small things. The neighborhood has a slightly high crime rate, traffic can be a nightmare, but you are just so in love with the house! Don't make the mistake of ignoring some of those glaring problems. Eventually the newness and novelty of your new home will wear off, and those "minor" problems will start to seem much bigger.

Making assumptions from word of mouth

You may have heard that a certain neighborhood has very low crime rates, or that it has the best school district in the country. You've read article after article about how great the nightlife is, and how low the town's taxes are. Too many people make the mistake of basing their decision off of a positive write-up in a travel magazine or a few positive anecdotes from friends. However, until you see definitive proof of any of the "positive" aspects of your new neighborhood, don't assume that all of this hearsay is true. Check out educational statistics and scores, tax rates, and crime rates from reliable government websites.

Not learning about the neighbors

Your neighbors may not seem like that major of a factor when you start to pick out your home. After all, it's not like you have to live with them or spend time with them. Ignoring the people you'll have to live near and talk to is a huge mistake, though. Obnoxious or inconsiderate neighbors have caused people to move in the past, and they could make your new home seem unlivable. If you want to get an idea of what your neighbors are like, just walk or drive around the area a few times and talk to a few people about the neighborhood. When you look through the eyes of a casual observer and not a homebuyer, you'll have a much better idea of what your neighbors will be like. 

Is there anything more exciting than moving to a new home? You get to have a brand new home, new friends, new job, and a virtually endless array of possibilities for your life. Whether you're moving to a small town like Goose Creek, SC or a big city like Charleston, moving can be an adventure – but some people aren't as prepared as they had originally hoped. If you want to ensure that you're making the right decision before you move, get the answers to these questions.

What do I know about the place I want to move?

Some people move because they have to for work, while others move because they fell in love with an area after learning a bit about it or visiting briefly. Your new town or city is a lot more than a few flattering sentences in a travel guide. Do you know about the laws in the area that you're considering? How much do you know about the schools in the area? Do you know what your tax situation will be like? If all you can say about an area is that it's beautiful or that it's "fun," you should start to re-think your decision to move.

Am I ready to start over in a new area?

This seems like a simple question, but a lot of people get caught up in the excitement of a move and forget to think about the logistics involved. If you're used to living around family members, are you ready to be farther away from them? Are you ready to start over at a new job? Relocation doesn't just mean that you're moving to a new house; it means that you essentially have to build a new life. If you aren't ready to start over, you may want to delay the move.

Can I afford to live in my new home?

The cost of living can differ dramatically from town to town, and local and state taxes may be different from what you're used to. Moving to a new place could mean that your cost of living isn't as low as you'd like it to be. Too many people make the mistake of thinking that moving anywhere different will be "cheaper," especially if they're moving from an urban area to a suburban one. Think about your finances before you settle on moving – if you don't, you could end up spending more than you'd like.

Summer should be the season for getting away from it all, but taking a vacation isn't as easy as it looks. If you work in America, you're getting far less vacation time than employees in other countries. The disparity in vacation time should explain why some people still haven't a chance to take some time off this summer, but a lot of people that aren't going on vacation made their choice because they can't afford to. You may be planning saving up for a big purchase, or you may think that you just aren't making enough at work to take any time off. It may seem like a vacation is out of your budget but, with the right planning, you could easily afford a week at a rental in Charleston or eventually your own Summerville, SC real estate to head to in the summer. If you need to get away this year, try out a few of these money saving tips.

Forego a summer vacation

If you aren't going on vacation because you can't afford it, you need to open yourself up to the possibility of going on an off-season vacation. Most rentals and hotels will be booked from May to August, and people who rent during those times will have to pay a lot more than people who go during the off-season. When most people think about the ideal time to vacation they think about the summer, but you can have just as much fun during the fall, winter, or spring.

Time your travel

If you have to fly to your vacation destination, you could save a significant amount of money if you plan your flight for the right day and time. A lot of people will try to fly during the weekend, or on a Friday or Monday. Simply booking your flight on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday could save you a couple hundred dollars. Also see if you can get a flight early in the morning or late at night. Since we're on the subject of travel, we should tell you to . . .

Avoid flying

When most people consider traveling for vacation, they immediately think of taking a plane. Airplanes can be expensive, but they take a lot less time than driving by car would. If you don't want to have to pay for a plane ticket, but also don't want to drive, consider getting to your vacation destination by train. Trains are bit more expensive than making your trek by car, but it's considerable less expensive than having to fly. Amtrak and other rail services offer great discounts for people that travel during weekdays, and you could save hundreds in travel expenses.

Do you feel overworked? Overwhelmed? Maybe even a little like you're in need a major vacation. Well, if you are an American worker, you are not alone. The Center for Economic and Policy Research estimates that 25% of Americans don't take a vacation anymore, and that number jumps up to 31% if you work a minimum or low wage job. If you're like a lot of people, not taking a vacation may not have much to do with your amount of vacation time, but with the fact that you feel guilty taking any time off of work unless it's for an emergency.

Maybe you're in the middle of a huge project, or maybe you don't feel "comfortable" taking some time off. Either way, it's time to get out of that mindset and enjoy a much-deserved vacation! There are houses for rent in Charleston, SC and beach bungalows at Summerville that are calling your name. If you're feeling guilty about taking time off, you won't after you read this.

Happy workers are more productive

If you're already feeling a bit down in the dumps over problems at work, we don't need to tell you how much a bad mood can ruin your day. Different studies have shown how vacations can benefit individuals, and those effects can have trickle down benefits for your company. Imagine starting your average work week on a Monday after a normal weekend. Now imagine starting your week after you've had a three day weekend relaxing with your friends and family. Happy workers have a brighter outlook on the day, are often more productive, and can even have an easier time thinking of fresh ideas to benefit the company.

Vacations help relationships

Do you feel like you and your significant other aren't communicating as well as you used to? Can you not remember the last time you and your kids sat down and just had time to talk? You aren't the only one that's feeling stressed from your daily work load, your spouse and kids can feel just as burned out as you do by their daily routine. Some time off from work or school can help you reconnect with the people that mean the most to you in life.

Vacations are good for your health

Remember when we were talking about how a vacation can leave you feeling refreshed and ready for work? There's something about vacations that can have a transformative affect on people, and some believe that the reasons may be medical. A study on people who are at high risk for coronary heart disease found that men that failed to take annual vacations were 32% more likely to have a fatal heart attack. Stress is no joke health-wise, and a buildup of it could lead to a variety of stress-related health problems.

The closing on your new house is finally done, you've taken off a few days from work to devote time to the move, and you feel like you're finally ready for your new home or apartment. It may seem like you have everything under control, but there are always a few things people forget to do during a move. It doesn't matter if you're moving to Goose Greek, SC, Charleston, or somewhere else completely different. Moves can be stressful, and when you're spending time coordinating everything it can be easy to forget things. If your moving day is on the horizon, make sure that you don't forget to do these crucial tasks.

 Find your "hidden" items

You may think you have everything packed, but you may have forgotten some items in out of the way places. If you have crawl spaces, a garage or a shed, make sure that you do a final sweep of these areas. Don't forget about your attic and some of your shelves. People may also forget to pack the valuables they've purposely hidden away to keep safe from thieves. Make sure that you check any of your hidden safes, and boxes with money and jewelry.

Retrieve your loaned items

Who hasn't lent a few items to their neighbors and friends? A power drill, ladder, or appliance you aren't really using could help your neighbors a lot more than they help you. If you aren't careful, however, you could end up accidently making some loaned items into gifts. Make a list of things you've loaned to friends and neighbors over the years, and make sure that you collect everything before you move. Don't make the mistake of assuming that you'll have time to get items later – get them while it's on your mind and you're in moving mode.

Gather your records

Do your kids need to switch schools because of your move? Do you have to switch doctors because you won't be as close to your current one? Make sure to let the right people know that you're moving so that they can transfer any important documents or information before the move. Make sure that you do it now, and don't wait until you're in a bind.

Do a final clean up

Remember that hole in the wall you made when you're first moved in? Do you still see a blotch of spilled paint on the floor from that project a few years ago? Before you set your sights on a new home, clean any messes you made in the old one. It's a common courtesy to make sure that your old house is clean before you move, but you should go the extra mile and repair any damage you have made.