Carolina’s Four Seasons
Carolina’s Four Seasons
In 2004, a diver using a global positioning system located a turn-of-the-century lodge beneath a deep lake in South Carolina. The old bed-and-breakfast, buried when a water dam flooded the Jocassee Valley in the 1960s, was still intact. The news caused such a sensation that “it was almost like finding Titanic,” jokes Realtor Bruce May. “CNN even did a story on it.”
The tranquil mountains, lakes and ocean communities of the Carolinas have their own genteel charm and quirky history that keep homebuyers coming back. Home prices took a dip in the recent downturn, but high-end buyers have started to return as the economy begins its recovery.
“People still bargain — they want the $4 million home for $2.5 million,” May said. “But they are interested. They know it’s a beautiful region and a solid investment.”
In many regions, second and third homes comprise the majority of properties. “Some people come to escape the cold, and others come to escape the heat,” notes Realtor Shanaaz Eisenberg. “We have a more temperate climate in the Carolinas. But we still have a four-season lifestyle with golf, hiking, canoeing, skiing, just about any outdoor amenities you want.”
Premium properties in the Carolinas still command top prices, especially in resort areas such as Myrtle Beach and Lake Keowee. But there are simpler options as well. Eisenberg mentions a couple in their early 60s that recently purchased a second home with views of Grandfather Mountain, in North Carolina.
“The list price was $899,000 and they got it for $775,000,” she says. “They loved the ruggedness of the area and the private setting. It was the perfect getaway.”
—Jennifer Martin
Photo courtesy Prudential Premier Island Properties
