Charleston, SC was ranked 27th in the nation for metropolitan areas that offer the most bang for the buck.  Forbes analyzes real estate and employment data, unemployment rates, projected job growth, future home prices, and median real estate taxes.  Columbia, SC ranked #12, while the Greenville area was ranked #20 in the nation.  I wonder where Charleston would fall with the new announcement of Boeing bringing in thousands of new jobs to the Lowcountry.

Recent plans have been submitted to the City of Charleston for rezoning the site of the L. Mendel Rivers Federal Building, bought by John Dewberry in 2008 for $15 million, to allow for a hotel building.  The building is located across from Marion Square and the Holiday Inn on Meeting Street.  It’s a big project as the asbestos-filled building will have to be torn down or go through an expensive rehab.  I can’t believe they would want to go that route with its 8-foot ceilings and bad 70’s architecture; but $15 million is a big number for a hotel site that likely will only generate 120 rooms.

After Boeing announced it will locate its second Dreamliner facility in Charleston, SC, local businesses, investors, and landowners have taken the news as an opportunity for future business, strategic investment timing, and inflated land prices for ancillary industrial, residential, hospitality, and retail uses close to the planned facility.  While there is good cause for cheer among the locals, it will not be a gravy train for EVERYONE.

Politicians have not been absent from the fever, and rightly so as the state’s financing packages and the state’s right to work laws are what swayed Boeing’s decision to the Lowcountry.  State House Speaker Bobby Harrell calls it the biggest economic development announcement in a decade. “Today’s announcement declares to the global business community that South Carolina is back in the game and open for business,” he says. “We want you to come to our state.”

Keep an eye out for complementary businesses coming to the marketplace and eye toward the skies for Boeing’s newest landing in Charleston.

If you have been waiting for an opportunity to buy distressed oceanfront and near-oceanfront properties, there are currently 42 properties listed for sale as short sales or bank owned properties on the Isle of Plams.  In addition, there are three headed to foreclosure at the Charleston County courthouse on October 6, 2009.  Buying short sale properties or foreclosures is not for the unitiated.  If you would like assistance identifying, researching, and buying these properties, please contact Places Real Estate by completing the contact form below and we’ll call you to get things started.  Be informed.  Have Professional Representation.  Bid Smart.  We can help.

Places Real Estate, a luxury-oriented real estate company that specializes in signature residential properties in the Charleston marketplace, has added Ashley Truluck and Brandy Keener to its sales associate team to focus on luxury properties in West Ashley, James Island, Folly Beach, Johns Island, Seabrook and Kiawah Island.

Ashley Truluck is a former executive at Kiawah Island Resort where, during her 14 year tenure with the company, she was the corporate director of marketing for the resort’s golf, lodging, and restaurant divisions and directed the corporate marketing campaigns for the company’s Five Diamond historic hotels, The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia and the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee before deciding to focus on real estate in 2006. She comes to Places Real Estate from Akers, Ellis & Truluck Real Estate.

Brandy Keener was a computer programmer/analyst with American Mutual and Unisun Insurance Companies where she was team leader for several large software projects.  Brandy and her husband John currently own the Charleston Crab Houses.  She also comes to Places Real Estate from Akers, Ellis & Truluck Real Estate.      

“We are excited that Ashley and Brandy have joined our team.  In addition to their broad experience in sales, marketing, and promotions, Ashley and Brandy have a good understanding of the key properties and upscale markets west of the Ashley River,” said Chris Anderson, Broker-in-Charge of Places.  Their new website (www.truluckandkeener.com) showcases their exceptional properties and their services.

Places (www.scplaces.com) was founded by a team of experienced realtors and is based in the Old Village of Mount Pleasant. The company’s goal is to provide a wealth of knowledge and breadth of experience to discriminating buyers and sellers. The company represents luxury properties throughout the Charleston area.  Places is also a member of The Key Partners (www.thekeypartners.com)– a Charleston-based luxury real estate marketing alliance with offices serving Daniel Island, Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Kiawah, Seabrook, Johns Island, James Island, West Ashley, Downtown Charleston, and Mount Pleasant.

Sullivan’s Island is a beach haven with its semitropical landscape and timeless natural beauty. Sullivan’s Island homes are diverse in size and style, from classic Victorian cottages to modern beach houses on pristine white-sand beaches.

Sullivan’s Island is a tight-knit community where days are spent soaking up the sun, enjoying water sports and fishing, or simply sipping tea on the porch. Poe’s Tavern is a favorite gathering place to visit with friends for lunch or to unwind in the evening. Sullivan’s Island real estate owners live the relaxed beach life but have access to the amenities of Mount Pleasant, just a bridge ride away, or to the bustling city life of Charleston with a quick fifteen-minute drive.

Interested in houses for sale on Sullivan’s Island?  We’ve made it easy, just click here and see the most updated list of available properties. Our team of professionals will be happy to show you any of these homes and take you to lunch at Poe’s Tavern or Hometeam BBQ on the island.  Just let us know how we can help.

I’On, located in Mt. Pleasant, SC,  celebrates Old South and European architecture. A traditional neighborhood, I’On homes boast plantation shutters and sprawling piazzas, while the Jefferson Canal is reminiscent of Italy with boats floating slowly past three-story Venetian-style homes. With more experience selling homes in the I’On neighborhood than any other sales team (10+ years and 1,000s of transactions), Places Real Estate can help you identify the best one for your lifestyle and needs.   Click here for a complete list of homes for sale in I’On from $479,000 to more than $2 million.

Parks, docks, a private swim and tennis club, and a commercial center create a classical urban feel, with a spirit of community.  I’On Square is the center of activity with its farmers’ market, specialty shops, a day spa, a pub, restaurant, B&B, wine store, and even a Chocolatier. Conveniently located minutes from downtown, beaches, and amenities of Mount Pleasant, it’s no wonder I’On Mount Pleasant is one of the most prestigious areas of the Lowcountry.  Contact us at 843.849.3636 today and we’ll take you to lunch in the neighborhood.

Not according to Neal Templin in The Wall Street Journal, who draws upon research from Columbia Business School to say that home appreciatation, historically, runs about 1% above inflation and the biggest value from ownership is your ability to live in it.  Check out the full article here.

The sophisticated magazine, Travel & Leisure, once again named Charleston as the 4th best city in North America.  Quite the coup for our small town here in the Lowcountry.  Congrats to our local hotels (Planters Inn, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Gold Resort, and Charleston Place) who also made the magazine’s  top 25 Hotels in North America.

If you didn’t see Saturday’s Post and Courier’s Real Estate section on Saturday, check out the feature article on the home at 95 Riverland Drive located on the bank of the Stono River.  This rare opportunity to own one of these great homes in Riverland Terrace with a dock and boatlift  doesn’t come along very often.  Want a private tour?  Give me  a call or shoot me a message and we’ll meet you there.