Saturday, October 22, 2005 - Last Updated: 8:25 AM

Buyers benefit from upgraded dwellings, spruced up amenities at Otranto Station

By Jim Parker
Of The Post and Courier Staff

James J. "Jamie" Kerr Jr. knows a thing or two about real estate. His father, James J. "Jimmy" Kerr, runs one of the largest apartment management companies in the area, AMCS, and he has worked with his dad for close to a decade. But his experience has been from the rental side. That is, until Otranto Station.

The Kerrs are partners in Otranto Station LLC, the group that is converting the Hanahan apartment complex to 75 one-story flats and two-story townhomes. The complex, formerly known as Otranto Hills, is located on Andrea Court just within the Hanahan town limits. Prices run from $84,500 to $99,000 for the one- two- and three-bedroom dwellings, which are 1,012 to 1,352 square feet. Otranto Station is less than a mile from Rivers Avenue but well buffered from the busy thoroughfare.

Actually, the complex owners have more than a passing knowledge of the property. AMCS managed the rental complex for years.

Otranto Station LLC spent time and funds on upgrading the dwellings. "We went beyond paint and lipstick," (Jamie) Kerr said. "All the appliances are new, including stackable washers and dryers." There are new cabinets and countertops. The aging windows and sliding glass doors were replaced with new ones. New air conditioning units and water heaters were installed. Crown molding was added in family rooms.

On the outside, the owner put up new awnings in hallways and gave a fresh coat of paint to the cement board "lap" siding complementing the brick exterior. The touch-up "gave it a totally different look," he said.

The complex's attractions are also undergoing improvements. The main laundry facility is being redone as a 1,000-square-foot clubhouse. The building opens into a gated swimming pool, which will be resurfaced. The pool is adjacent to a playground. Plans call for constructing a central mail facility that will take on the appearance of a train station. Otranto Station is named for the neighboring road and Otranto subdivision, as well as for the rail line that runs north and south nearby.

Condo and townhome owners will be charged a regime fee to pay for maintenance and upkeep to common areas. But Otranto Station goes further, said Russ Whited, broker associate with AgentOwned Realty who is handling sales.

The fee also covers pest control, water and sewer service and external building insurance, "That's something special," he said. "We don't want (people) to be surprised. The money is there for roof repairs, etc," Whited said.

Buyers can view models of the three styles, the Oakley Station flat and the two-bedroom Mount Holly Station and three-bedroom Otranto Station townhomes.

As a further incentive, the seller is paying up to $5,000 in closing costs for buyers who use the preferred mortgage companies, Wells Fargo, AgentOwned Mortgage and BB&T and preferred attorney, Carl Rogers with Moore and Van Allen law firm. About 30 percent of the dwellings sold in the first 60 days.

Kerr said it wasn't a hard decision to remake the long-time apartment complex as townhomes and flats.

"We saw condo conversions in Mount Pleasant, nothing in Hanahan." Otranto Station is near Northwoods Mall and many other retail plazas in upper North Charleston, which he called "the biggest commercial center in the state. We thought this would be a great location," he said.

To reach Otranto Station from downtown Charleston, take Interstate 26 to the U.S. Highway 52/Ashley Phosphate Road exit. Follow the Highway 52 signs toward Goose Creek. The road joins Rivers Avenue. Follow Rivers to the traffic light at Otranto Boulevard. Turn right on Otranto. Continue across the railroad tracks past the town of Hanahan sign. Make the first left on Andrea Court.