Charleston SC Real Estate

Kiawah picked a leading second-home market

If you’re eying a second home, you may not have to leave the Charleston market.

Provided houses like this one on the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Tour of Homes are indicative of Kiawah Island's standing as among the most popular second home markets, according to Barron's magazine.

A recent article in Barron’s financial magazine named Kiawah Island as the next-to-top place for second homes, trailing only Maui.

“At long last, the market for luxury real estate is coming back to life,” says Steven M. Sears, who wrote the article for Barron’s.

The magazine’s conclusion about second homes: “Now could be an excellent time to buy. Prices are way down – 40 percent off the peak in some locations.”

Barron’s selected the 10 best places in America for second homes. “These alluring locales have it all: gorgeous houses, spectacular views, world-class golf, fishing and skiing, fine dining and great shopping,” Sears says.

Here’s what he wrote about Kiawah Island:

“Languid elegance defines South Carolina’s coast, and Kiawah, just off Charleston, may be its ideal expression.

“The island has one developer, Kiawah Development Partners, and an architectural review board that protects the 4,500 or so properties from the excesses often seen when wealth meets water.

“It has 10 miles of hard-sand beaches and abundant wildlife: bobcats, gray foxes, loggerhead turtles and more. Its Ocean Course has long been favorite of golfers; it hosted the 2007 Senior PGA Championship. Want to tee up some culture? Charleston is just 45 minutes away.”

According to the article, the median home price is $1.4 million, the drop from peak prices is 21 percent and a famed “neighbor” is former Miami Dolphins football great Dan Marino.

Source: Post & Courier (March 13, 2010)