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!

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!

Home buyers who are in the market for South Carolina real estate might feel a little panicked right now. It appears that housing prices are going up as inventory diminishes. Pending sales were up nearly seven percent in August, days on the market were down to 111 days, and the prices of the average home in South Carolina rose to 6.5 percent to $165,000. While this is great news for sellers, home buyers may feel the need to snag a home before it's too late.

We're here to tell you to take a deep breath and sit back for a moment. There's no reason to get all panicky for something that isn't an issue if you put in a little bit of effort and preparation. There are still plenty of homes in the South Carolina real estate market, and you can find MLS listings for homes in Goose Creek, Isle of Palms, Mount Pleasant and more here, but here are a few ideas to help you find the South Carolina home you want at a price you can afford.

Have a large down payment: While a growing number of people are paying cash for their homes, this isn't a viable option for most people. However, by having a down payment of at least twenty percent, you may be able to get a better price for the home you want.

Sure up your credit: Speaking to that point, another must you should certainly do before you begin looking at homes is fixing your credit. Get a free credit report and see if there are mistakes anywhere. If there are, write to get them fixed. If you think your score is a little low, aim to balance your debt to credit ratio, which has a major impact on your score. A higher score will get you a better interest rate and allow you to afford more homes.

Research home values around the area: If you're looking at a particular area in South Carolina, it's a good idea to look at what prices other homes are selling at to come up with a good offer. And do make sure to give a fair offer to the owner to show that you're serious.

Get the home inspected: A home inspection will tell you a lot about a prospective house and will let you know if whether you're getting a good deal on that below market priced home or not. 

It’s easy to see why so many people favor Isle of Palms real estate. After all, the natural landscape is gorgeous, and the homes are spectacular. However, many people are drawn to Isle of Palms as a result of the island’s colorful history. When people learn about it, most of them are excited about being able to be a part of the community’s vibrant future.

The history of Isle of Palms stretches back to the native Seewee people who periodically inhabited the land. Despite the eventual arrival of British colonists, life was quiet on the sparsely settled island. The Revolutionary War brought conflict to nearby Sullivan’s Island. Revolutionary forces had set up enforcements on Sullivan’s Island that British troops intended to attack by using Isle of Palms, which was then known as Long Island. Unfortunately for the British, the treacherous currents in the water between the two islands prevented them from reaching Isle of Palms, effectively sealing a victory for the Americans.

Isle of Palms also played an important role in the Civil War when it was used by the Confederacy as a training ground for the crew of the C.S.S. Hunley, an experimental submersible ship. The island also gained fame during the war as a waypoint for blockade runners determined to foil the Union barricade of Charleston.

Life on the island quieted down considerably in the ensuing decades until the late nineteenth century when well-to-do Charlestonians began to look to Isle of Palms as an escape from the city. It was at this time that the island became known as Isle of Palms. Developer J.S. Lawrence quickly built a resort hotel on the island. An amusement park and beach pavilion soon followed. Before long, Isle of Palms real estate was increasingly in demand by people wanting to escape Charleston’s heat and faster pace.

Isle of Palms real estate remains in demand today thanks in part to its long and fascinating history. With a wide selection of properties to choose from along with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities, Isle of Palms offers an ideal escape.