Rival builders from Charlotte and Richmond, Va., are essentially splitting construction of the 254-home Buckshire neighborhood in Ladson.

That results in design differences, but the homes share one quality: They're valued for working-class buyers such as police officers and teachers without skimping on perks, such as sodded yards and dual-zone heat and air.

Between contractors Eastwood Homes and Keystone Builders, customers can choose from 17 floor plans priced from $152,990 to $229,990. Close to 100 homes have been built thus far in Buckshire, off Jamison Road near the Charleston-Dorchester County line.

Eastwood Homes, which expects to be in five communities in the Charleston area by year's end, has built homes for 28 years in North Carolina and branched into the Greenville area a couple of years ago.

Keystone Builders, which also is selling lots and raising houses in Wescott Plantation, is a 30-year-old company but a newcomer to the Lowcountry. "We are going to have a strong presence in the Charleston market but are feeling out the waters," said Pam Bosart, sales manager.

The Charlotte builder started a little earlier and is further along at Buckshire, having built more than 55 three- to five-bedroom homes priced from $152,990 to $193,990. The homes range in size from 1,158 to 2,214 square feet. Its seven designs - Austin, Seneca, Seabrook, Beaufort, Savannah, Richmond and Athens - have a few common traits.

"All have 9-foot smooth ceilings, vaulted or tray ceilings, depending on the design, hardwood floors in the foyers, brush nickel fixtures," said Jason Fabrizio, division president of Eastwood Homes.

There aren't a lot of extras; many attractions are standard. There are some options, however. Three designs are available with a bonus room costing an extra $13,990.

Keystone Builders, meanwhile, constructs a bit larger and slightly more pricey home that Eastwood at Buckshire. The company has 10 floor plans: Callaway, Wyndham, Buckingham 28, Kendall II, Sullivan I, Blake IV, Collinwood, Lockwood II, Lockwood III and Brookville II. They are sized from 1,747 square feet to 2,975 square feet and cost from $188,490 to $229,990. As a guide in its homeowners' brochures, Keystone includes the price per square foot, which runs from $76.97 to $107.89.

The company has had a range of purchasers, including second- and third-time homebuyers, Bosart said. The neighborhood's close location to Dorchester Road and "what we could offer the homes for" are attractions to buyers, she said.

The companies are clearly friendly rivals at Buckshire. Model homes are side by side at the entrance. The builders combined on neighborhood amenities, including sidewalks and a swimming pool and cabana next to the models.

Both builders champion their ability to design well-built houses at moderate costs. Keystone Builders uses the slogan "More Home. Less Money. Great Value."

Fabrizio of Eastwood Homes said the company's front office is lean, which holds costs down. "We have all the livability, offer features and keep prices low."

To visit Buckshire from downtown Charleston, head west on Interstate 26 to the U.S. Highway 78 exit to Summerville. Merge onto University Boulevard (Highway 78) and continue to the Ladson Road intersection. Turn left onto Ladson Road and follow it to Jamison Road. Turn right onto Jamison Road. The Buckshire entrance is 1.5 miles ahead on the right.

Neighborhood
Buckshire

Location
Charleston County

Developers, marketing
Eastwood Homes, Keystone Builders

Total homes
254: Eastwood, 130; Keystone, 124

Home sizes
Eastwood: 1,158 to 2,214 square feet; Keystone: 1,747 to 2,975 square feet

Typical features
Keystone:
--Garden tub and separate shower in master bedroom
--Dishwasher, range, disposal
--Two-zone heating and air conditioning

Eastwood:
--Oak-front cabinet, range, dishwasher in kitchen
--Cultured marble bath vanities

Home prices
Eastwood: $152,990 to $193,990; Keystone: $188,490 to $229,990

Property taxes
$980 on a $190,000 home

Area attractions
Summerville Medical Center, Coastal Carolina Fairgrounds, Northwoods Mall, Ashley River, Interstate 26

Distance to downtown Charleston
21 miles

Schools
Ladson Elementary

Grades K-5; phone, 764-2225; enrollment, 481; certified staff, 36; PACT results, 21.6 percent of fifth-graders scored proficient, advanced on English/Language Arts, 21.5 percent on math, 19 percent on science and 12.7 percent on social studies.

Alice Birney Middle

Grades 6-8; phone, 764-2212; enrollment, 750; certified staff, 64; PACT results, 12.6 percent of eighth-graders scored proficient, advanced on English/Language Arts, 9.9 percent on math, 3.3 percent on science and 4.8 percent on social studies.

R.B. Stall High

Grades 9-12; phone, 764-2200; enrollment, 1,099; certified staff, 91; SAT results, 377 verbal and 389 math. The 766 combined score is lower than the state average (985) and the national average (1021).

Housing trends
Above Ladson Road and below Bacons Bridge Road:

Number of sales in the second quarter of 2006: 276 (down from 306 in the second quarter of 2005).

Average sales price: $178,700 (up from $170,600).

Median sales price: $169,900 (up from $161,300).

Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com.