John's Island, SC is one of the most beautiful parts of the greater Charleston area and most of the homes for sale there are keepers. However, even the most beautiful house can come with surprises, and those can lead to regrets. Here are four tips from us at Carolina One for making sure you go into the buying process with your eyes open, and come out with a dream home and no regrets.

1.  Talk to the neighbors – This is a step surprisingly few home buyers take, and yet it can make all the difference in the world. Most John's Island residents are friendly and happy to talk to potential future neighbors, and they will have insider info on the neighborhood that you won't get from listings or even walkthroughs. Ask whether anyone in the neighborhood has plans to do major renovations, what they like and don't like about their street, what the schools are like and anything else on your mind. Often, neighbors will volunteer info you never would have thought of asking about.

2.  Test drive the commute – Fortunately, John's Island is one of the most commuter-friendly towns around Charleston. Just a ten-minute drive from downtown, there are two bridges that tend to keep traffic flowing even at peak hours. Nonetheless, we always recommend testing out the commute if possible. Get up early one day and swing over to the Island first, then try driving to work at the hour you'd normally leave. Can you picture yourself doing this every day?

3.  Swoop through at all hours – Checking out a neighborhood means more than just seeing it on a Sunday afternoon. What is it like on a weekday? How about a Friday night? When considering buying in a neighborhood, we advise driving through several times at different times of day and night. It will be good to know if the neighbors are up later and partying after midnight, or if a street is too sleepy for you even on the weekend. The more time you spend in the neighborhood, the better you will know if it truly feels like home.

4.  Verify extra costs – One of the biggest sources of buyers' remorse comes from unexpected costs. Usually, these costs could have been anticipated with a little research. For example, you should always contact your own insurance company and get a quote on the home insurance instead of relying on a seller's figures; they may have discounts that you won't. Similarly, if the home needs repairs, don't rely on a seller's estimates for those repairs unless they can show you the recent quotes from real contractors. Otherwise, get your own contractor to give you a quote before proceeding.

What else do you check out before seriously considering a home?

If you've ever considered moving to South Carolina, then you've probably been looking at Charleston. Charleston is one of the biggest cities in the state, and is beautiful, affordable, and historic while still providing residents with many modern-day conveniences. However, big cities aren't right for everyone.

Many people prefer to live just outside of them where they can breathe the free air. If you're a big nature lover who still wants to remain close to the city for easy access to your job, stores and other conveniences, then John's Island, SC is the perfect place for you! Here are three reasons why:

1.  It's surrounded by farm land – Believe it or not, there was once a time when farmland dominated the countryside. While much of America has since become more industrialized, replacing many farms with factories, strip malls, and offices, plenty of farms still exist – and many of them are closer than you think! John's Island has many properties with generous acreage, some of which were farms in the past and could be again. You may not be looking to start a farm, but you could always have a nice plot of fruits and vegetables for the summer. Or you might just want to enjoy the rural atmosphere. Either way, John's Island is the place to be! 

2.  It's home to the historic Angel Oak – Are you familiar with the legendary Angel Oak tree? There are many nature lovers who have traveled hundreds of miles just to see this historic, breathtaking tree. What makes this tree so special? Not only is it believed to be at least 1,500 years old, but it is also 65 feet high and offers an astonishing 17,000 square feet of shade. It's the perfect place to go to read a book and relax on a hot summer day!

3.  There are hundreds of homes located by the water – Have you always dreamed of having a home by the water? If so, then you're in luck! John's Island has dozens of homes for sale that are located along tidal creeks, rivers, and other waterways. The Wadmalaw Sound and the Kiawah and Stono rivers are some of the most popular places where people choose to invest in real estate. Many John's Island residents will tell you that the water is not only beautiful, but very relaxing and peaceful, making the area the perfect place to call home!

What do you think makes the perfect home for a nature lover? Whether you're looking for farm land, beautiful bodies of water, or even just a nice tree to enjoy, you'll find it all on John's Island, South Carolina!

As one of the most beautiful communities surrounding Charleston, John's Island, SC has recently gotten a lot of attention and more people are considering buying homes there. So what is the island really like? Here are some quick facts to help give you a feel for the area:

• John's Island truly is an island – The island is bordered on one side by the Wadmalaw Sound and on the other sides by the Stono River and Kiawah River. This natural island has beautiful land and plenty of space because it was historically somewhat isolated from the surrounding townland.

• It's a very quick drive from Charleston – Despite that historic separation, John's Island is now very connected to the outside world; from downtown Charleston, it's only a ten minute drive away. The two bridges to and from the island include a 4-lane expressway, which means that traffic moves smoothly even at peak times and is rarely bogged down.

• It has 350 years of history – Native Americans, including the Kiawah, Stono and Bohicket nations, have lived on John's Island since time immemorial. The first European settlers arrived and created settlements on John's Island by the 1670s. Early relations between Europeans and Native Americans were friendly, and the settlements focused on growing indigo, an important dye export.

• The island is known for its historic properties – With history spanning the Colonial, Revolutionary and Civil War eras to today, the island has many surviving historic structures including beautiful plantation homes.

• Development has been carefully controlled – Much of John's Island remains undeveloped rural land, including unspoiled wilderness with woods, meadows, tidal creeks, and shoreline. There is new development and both homes and lots are available, but this development has been managed to preserve the island's serene atmosphere.

• One of the oldest oaks in the U.S. is on John's Island – The Angel Oak has been a landmark since at least 1717. While it is not the oldest tree in the United States, it is high on the list, with estimates of its age ranging from 400 to 1500 years old.

• John's Island is known as a great place to raise a family – Between high-performing local schools, a strong community spirit, and an extremely low crime rate, it's hard to find a better place for kids to grow up on the eastern seaboard.

• John's Island homes are surprisingly affordable – While the island certainly has its share of multi-million dollar properties, there are a number of beautiful homes under $500,000 as well.

What has gotten you interested in John's Island, SC?

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? 

If you're looking for a place to call home on the south Atlantic coastline, then John's Island SC may be the place for you! Carolina One Real Estate has been helping families find fabulous houses on John's Island for years, and it's no wonder, as the island has plenty to tempt potential residents. Here are some of the best things that the area has to offer:

Paradise on the East Coast

If you're in the market for an island home, but you're not exactly looking to stray too far from the mainland, John's Island is the perfect answer to your needs. With an area of 84 square miles, John's Island is the fourth largest island on the East Coast and boasts a lovely isolated community with easy access to nearby Charleston. Gorgeous classic homes with all of the modern amenities can be found all over the island, many sporting fabulous waterside locations.

A Place for the Animal Lover

John's Island sure has its human inhabitants, but one of the most unique things about this South Carolina town is the wildlife that calls it home. It's an interesting cross-section of woodland and swampland wildlife, as deer and alligators inhabit the same island. Birdwatchers will especially find John's Island a wonderful place to live, as it is home to hundreds of species, including ospreys and bald eagles. 

John's Island also caters to the equestrian crowd, and is home to the Mullet Hall Equestrian Center. This center is truly a sight to behold: the property spans over 738 acres and hosts numerous horse shows throughout the year. With four show rings and a Grand Prix ring, it's a special place for anyone with show aspirations, but that isn't the only crowd it caters to. For anyone looking to see nature from atop a horse, the Mullet Equestrian Center also houses 20 miles of trails. Carolina One can not only find you a home close to the Equestrian Center on John's Island, SC, it can find you a place to keep your own horses. Check out this amazing property and see all of your horse dreams come to life!

A Piece of History

John's Island is home to a long, storied history and that past is alive and well to this day and several homes date back to the colonial period. On top of that, each year, Legare Farms hosts a reenactment of the Battle of Charleston. The event is fun for the whole family, and you can enjoy food, music, and loads of historical information. It's one of the little things John's Island has to offer that can truly win over a prospective homeowner. 

John's Island is a great place to live, relax and raise a family. Check out our listings and find your new home today!