Knowing What Type of House to Rent in Charleston

by carolinaone_marketing 26. May 2015 06:21

It's easy to get overwhelmed by the number of houses for rent in Charleston, SC. That's why it helps to know what types of spaces are available and which one best suits your tastes and needs—this can help to narrow the pool substantially. Here are three major type of houses for rent and the pros and cons of each:

1.  A historic home – One of the great things about Charleston is that it has so many historic homes, which means lots of beautiful older houses for rent in the area. Several areas of downtown Charleston have historic homes, and the outlying communities have many historic homes both in the countryside and in small traditional downtowns. In Charleston, "historic" can mean anything from a colonial-era plantation home to a Victorian or an early 20th century Craftsman style home. The pros of renting a historic house are obvious: they're beautiful, they're built to last, they have character and they will be the envy of all your friends. There are cons, too, however. For example, older houses are likely to have more problems and require more repairs (not that you'll have to pay for them!), and a fully restored and hassle-free historic home is going to carry a somewhat higher price tag.

 

2.  A suburban dream – In many ways, the suburban houses for rent around Charleston are the best value for your money. Charleston has a variety of suburbs, many with charming downtown areas of their own and all of them with a fairly easy commute to the city center of generally 45 minutes or less—often much less. Suburban homes are newer and usually have much more space, in every sense possible: more rooms, larger rooms, and a spacious yard where you can have cookouts or other events. They come in many styles, including those with much more modern floor plans and large open spaces inside. These perks come at a relatively affordable price tag, depending on which suburb you choose. The downside, of course, is that you are farther from the city life and will need to drive everywhere.

3.  A condo or townhouse – Sometimes, the best way to be close to the action is to rent a condo or townhouse rather than a full house. There are many city spaces that are appropriate for corporate rentals, and they can include some of the trendiest properties in Charleston. Condos and townhouses are more likely to have a modern look to them with an open kitchen, lots of light and sleek, minimalist décor—but there are many options available, including more traditional and "homey" places. The upside is being close to everything, whereas the downside is the more limited supply. But there are plenty of townhouses in the suburbs, as well!

 

What kind of house do you like the most?

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Charleston Real Estate

How to Avoid Renting a Problem House

by carolinaone_marketing 11. December 2014 05:30

There are lots of houses for rent in and around the beautiful city of Charleston, SC. But finding a good rental home can be even harder than finding a good apartment, and you want to make sure to avoid getting a lemon. Here are five tips to make sure you get the rental home you really want:

1.  Know what you're looking for – There are many different kinds of houses for rent in Charleston. From gorgeous historic homes to large suburban options, from loft style condominiums to townhouses with private gardens, Charleston has it all. But that doesn't help you unless you know what kind of home you prefer to live in. Think carefully about your preferred location, how much space you need, whether you want something new or old, and your budget. It's easy to be dazzled by a particularly beautiful house only to realize after signing the lease that it doesn't really meet your needs. 

2.  Does the landlord have a "to do" list? – One of the most important things you should look for in any rental home is that it is, more or less, completely ready for you to live in comfortably. It's normal for a landlord to have one or two small projects planned for a unit—perhaps they're waiting on a new set of blinds to come in before they update all the window dressings—but if the landlord has a long to-do list that they promise they're getting to, it's a bad sign. Projects that aren't done by the time you sign the lease have a tendency of getting put off and, even if they are completed after you move in, it can be a hassle to have workers in your home. If the landlord is still getting a unit in order, keep looking.

 

3.  Check appliances and plumbing during the walkthrough – It might feel silly to go turning on stoves and flushing toilets as you walk through a house, but it's worth it. If a burner doesn't turn on easily and the landlord has to show you "the trick" to get it to work, remember that this will be the stove you use for every meal while you live here. Similarly, turn on faucets and showers to check water pressure and see how well the toilet flushes. No house is perfect, but if one thing after another seems faulty you may want to scratch this property off your list.

4.  Talk to other tenants – The power of talking to other tenants cannot be overstated—but you really need to do this when the landlord isn't hovering over your shoulder. Try arriving at a walkthrough 20 minutes early to catch a tenant for a quick one-on-one, or if you are introduced to a tenant by the landlord ask if you can e-mail them with more questions later. An objective opinion from someone who knows the property is priceless.

5.  Go with a pro – While there are lots of dedicated small-time landlords renting independently, it pays to hedge your bets and go with a management company that rents houses on a larger scale. They will have the resources to handle maintenance needs and emergencies in a quick, professional manner.

What else do you look for in a rental home?

 

 

Tags:

Charleston Real Estate

4 Reasons You'll Find Better Charleston Rentals with a Real Estate Company

by carolinaone_marketing 29. September 2014 03:47

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?

 

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Charleston Real Estate

3 Big Mistakes People Make When Choosing Their New Neighborhood

by carolinaone_marketing 8. September 2014 10:40

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. 

Tags:

Charleston Real Estate

3 Reasons to Take a Vacation (and not feel guilty about it)

by carolinaone_marketing 13. August 2014 07:04

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.

Tags:

Charleston SC Real Estate

Why You Should Visit Charleston, South Carolina

by carolinaone_marketing 15. July 2014 06:32

Summer is here, and that means one important thing: it's time for vacation! Many of us take the opportunity to go someplace new and fun, and if you are planning to take a trip this year, there is one state you definitely have to go to – and that state is South Carolina.

South Carolina has numerous areas that are worth taking a trip to. After all, Myrtle Beach is known as an exciting city with a pristine Oceanside location that makes it great for seashell enthusiasts and partygoers alike. Ripley's attractions are a blast that many families go there particularly for. Oh, and let's not forget about the famous Myrtle Beach SkyWheel. But then, there's Charleston.

Charleston is one of the quintessential centers of culture in the south. Founded by English colonists in 1670, the city grew from a colonial seaport to a wealthy metropolis by the mid-eighteenth century. During the 19th century, Charleston's economy prospered due to its busy seaport and cultivation of rice, cotton, and indigo.

Things to Do – Golf

If you enjoy golfing, then Charleston is definitely for you (as well as your family members and friends). The Municipal Golf Course is a great way to play 18 holes in less than four hours. The design of this golf course is similar to a traditional early twentieth century course, but with modern upgrades.

Nearby Beaches – Isle of Palms

One of the most popular destinations in Charleston is the Isle of Palms, which is only twenty-four minutes away from downtown Charleston. The Isle of Palms offers excellent beaches and is perfect for a stroll or a swim. After a refreshing swim, you may find yourself getting a bit peckish, so take this opportunity to try some of the great cuisine that the island has to offer. Head to the Boathouse at Breach Inlet and Acme Lowcountry Kitchen to enjoy the best local seafood!

A Cook's Dream

Speaking of which, if the foodie life appeals to you, then Charleston will not disappoint. Sure, there are tons of fabulous restaurants, but the Charleston City Market is the perfect place to find handmade baskets and southern spices for cooking. If you look for houses for rent in Charleston SC, you will love testing your cooking skills with the ingredients found in this part of the city.

The History

For the history lovers, Charleston is home to the Fort Sumter National Monument, which is the location of the official beginning of the Civil War. This is accessible through the Fort Sumter Ferry Terminal on Sullivan Island, which is roughly twenty minutes from downtown Charleston. And don't forget about the Charleston Museum, the oldest museum in the country (founded 1773), or the many historic plantations in the area.

There is no doubt about it: Charleston is a wonderful vacation location. If you want to take your kids or friends on a trip somewhere, then you should definitely consider Charleston.

 

Tags:

Real Estate in Charleston SC

Your South Carolina Summer Itinerary: Gear Up for Fun Events!

by carolinaone_marketing 30. June 2014 11:20

Whether you're already nestled into a cozy home in Charleston, South Carolina, or you're considering moving there soon, there's one thing visitors, transplants, and lifetime residents can agree on: summer is the state's best season. With the great weather and even better scenery, you can't let it go to waste! If you aren't completely sold on South Carolina already, you'll be convinced when you hear about these great events to look forward to in the near future.

Firework Celebrations

The 4th of July in Charleston isn't just restricted to one location. The main and most extravagant display will be held at Patriots Point, where you can pay $10 for parking, pull out some chairs and blankets to sit back and watch the fireworks. For an additional cost of $30, you can get access to the USS Yorktown's flight deck and score some of the most impressive views of the event available. Other nearby towns and areas, such as Summerville, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, and North Charleston will all have their own celebrations, some with live music and contests.

The Summer Concert Series

Kiawah Island hosts this event, which features the talents of a different local band every Saturday evening from late May to the end of August. The concerts will be held on the Grand Lawn of the Sanctuary and will be family-friendly, making it a great experience for everyone!

The Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series

If you're looking for a truly active event to take part in, why not consider a triathlon? Held in James Island County Park, this 24 year-old event features a 0.3 mile swim, a 12 mile bike ride, and a 5 mile run. If that all sounds like a bit much for you, don't be discouraged! You can enter races separately or as a package, so it's easy to choose the amount of exercise you think you can handle. Registration is still open for the last three dates in the series, but space is limited and there is no race-day registration, so sign up now!

Fishing Tournaments

If you're an avid angler, why not bring the kids out to the pier with you and spend the day doing what you love for a prize? The Folly Beach fishing pier has remaining tournaments on July 12th and August 16th during the summer, and offers discounted rates for Charleston County residents, seniors, and children 12 and under. The event is held from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with prizes to follow.

Still looking for real estate or a rental in Charleston? We've got rentals and houses for sale galore in the area – call Carolina One Realty today!

 

 

Tags:

Charleston SC Real Estate

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