Seabrook Island – Kiawah Island Real Estate Update

Seabrook and Kiawah Island Real Estate the bright spots in the real estate market. Charleston’s newspaper the Post and Courier quoting the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors, reported that home sales fell 37% in July. The group attributed the drop to the first time home buyers $8,000 tax credit expiring. The Association also said that the median sales price rose to $196,573 in July verses $181,889 a year ago. They attributed the increase in sales price to an increase of sales volume on Seabrook and Kiawah Islands. During the last six months ( Feb. 11- Aug.11) forty homes and eighteen villas have sold on Seabrook.

Akers and Ellis provides Kiawah Island Homes for Sale, Seabrook Island Homes for Sale as well as Kiawah Island Vacation Rentals and Seabrook Island Vacation Rentals.

Charleston County will announce the results of its Johns Island traffic study today, August 12th. This study is expected to announce that a Sea Islands Greenway is one option for improving traffic. The Town of Seabrook Island and the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association, in addition to neighboring Kiawah organizations, support this Greenway as the best option for making Johns Island roads safer. The proposed Greenway would run from the intersections of Maybank Highway and River Road directly to Betsy Kerrison Parkway. Although the proposed Greenway is not a part of the I-526 extension project, it would should it be adopted, connect near the terminus of I-526 making the travel time to and from the interstate much faster. To allay concerns that the Greenway would prompt further residential development on Johns Island the Greenway would have no exit ramps along its route. The full Charleston County Council will review this proposal at its meeting on Tuesday August 17th.

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Johns Island and Kiawah Island I-526 Extension

South Carolina Department of Transportation unveiled their plan last month on the proposed Interstate 526 expansion.  And adding to this already heated debate, the meetings regarding the plan were held downtown and those most affected live in more rural areas.  The plan is to connect West Ashley, James Island and Johns Island with an eight mile parkway that begins where I-526 ends at Highway 17 in West Ashley and ends at the James Island Connector. 

In-between these two locations, a pair of bridges will cross the Stono River and access roads will link to both James and Johns Islands.  The plan for the expansion is to be more boulevard-like with lower speed limits (35-45 MPH) and a bike/pedestrian lanes.  If the plan is approved, the budget is $69 million and will displace four businesses and 22 residences.  Whether you are for or against the expansion. the opinions are quite strong on both sides.  Akers and Ellis provides homes for sale on Kiawah Island and vacation rentals on Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island and has many Johns Island Real Estate listings on Johns Island.

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Kiawah Island real estate and Development Agreements

The Town of Kiawah Island released the tentative Development Agreement between the Town and Kiawah Island Golf Resort.  The properties in agreement include West Beach and East Beach with other smaller properties, but does not include Night Heron Park.  

The preliminary drawings show a possible wing being added to The Sanctuary Hotel and new residential properties next to and behind the Hotel in the location where the East Beach Conference Center and Town Center Market currently are located. 

The drawings also show residential properties in West Beach at the site of the former Kiawah Island Inn.  One alternative plan shows a new small hotel in West Beach and fewer residential properties in West Beach.  While no drawings or plans for Night Heron Park were presented. we assume the Resort Villa Conference Center and Registration will be relocated there.    

Kiawah Island Homes for sale and vacation rentals are provided by Akers and Ellis Kiawah Island real estate.

The process to complete this agreement includes finalizing the written agreement which will then proceed to three public information sessions and two public hearings.  Many are anxious to learn of the upcoming developments in both West and East Beach Villages.

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Seabrook Island Weddings

Although Chelsea Clinton has chosen not to get married on Seabrook Island, numerous other couples have turned Seabrook Island into the perfect wedding destination spot.  Couples have their ceremony on the pavilion overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and then host their guests at the new Club House across the street.  One couple chose to make their wedding even more memorable by riding along the beach and  off into the sunset on horses provided by the Equestrian center.

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Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island I-526 Extension

A quicker route to Seabrook Island? The SC Department of Transportation presented their plan for the preferred route to Seabrook and Kiawah Islands to the Charleston County Council. If completed it would finish the I-526 loop. What was proposed was a four lane divided, low speed ( 35-45 MPH) parkway going from the current termination point at HWY 17 through West Ashley across the Stono River with three exits along River Road. Of the three exits one would be at the light at Maybank and River Road and another just south of it near Cane Slash Road.

The benefits to visitors and residents would be quicker access to the Islands as well as quicker access to West Ashley, James Island and downtown Charleston. Some of the issues facing the completion of the loop are cost and getting the residents of Johns and James Islands “buy-in”.

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Kiawah Island Beachwalker Park Named Top 10 Family Beaches

National Geographic has named Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island one the the Top 10 U.S. Family Beaches. Kiawah is a true barrier island that is cut by the Kiawah River on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. While the island is 10 miles from tip to tip, much of it remains untouched with the salt water marshes, tidal creeks and maritime forests. There are a host of activities to experience the natural beauty of the island, whether on your own or with one of the Resort’s naturalists.

The Park is the only beach on the island that is open to the public and allow visitors to enjoy a pristine beach with chair and umbrella rentals and even a snack bar. Akers and Ellis Kiawah Island Real Estate offer numerous homes for sale and poperties for rent on Kiawah Island and nearby Seabrook Island. If you happen to go on a Monday between Memorial Day and Labor Day, stay for the Lowcountry buffet held at Mingo Point that includes pulled pork barbeque, an oyster roast and local music.

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James Island SC Waterskiing

Trophy Lakes first opened in 1988 and is known as THE Slalom Waterski site.  It was even  voted the best ski site in the world by Waterski Magazine.  World records for both men and women have been set or tied on this site, specifically on Lake 1 of Trophy Lakes.  Using the latest in MasterCraft tournament skiboats, they offer coaching and instruction on a variety of levels and types.  They even have a pro shop stocked with all the gear and accessories you may require for your water sport experience.  If you would like to try a different game of golf, they also offer Charleston’s first Disc Golf Course, which is full of water hazards, difficult pin placements and lots of strategy.  To learn more, please call 843/569-2520 or visit the website at www.trophylakes.com.

Biking and Kayaking on Seabrook Island SC

Bikers and walkers find Seabrook Island walking and bike trails with detailed information, reviews, photos and trail maps on www.Traillink.com

Take a Kayak tour around Seabrook Island and enjoy the rarely seen sights of the Island.  Tours last approximately 2 hours and include instruction and the option to choose one or two person kayaks.  See stingrays, blue crab, various birds and dolphin in their natural habitat.  Call Paddlefish tours at 843 330-9777.

Weekend of Jazz Event at Kiawah Island Golf Resort – November 11-13, 2010

This is the first annual Weekend of Jazz Event to be held at Five Star Sanctuary at Kiawah Island this Fall.  The event will feature three nights of incredible music by award winning artists such as Boney Jones, Kyle Eastwood, Jessy J, Joe Grandsden plus many others and hosted by Grammy Award winning artist, Earl Klugh.  There are several packages available to include tickets, Golf outing, VIP events and the Kick Off party which will be held at Mingo Point and feature a Lowcountry Roast dinner.  For more information, you can call 800/654-2924.  Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!

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Kiawah Island News

Bohicket Marina, located between Kiawah and Seabrook Islands, celebrated the grand opening of Red’s Icehouse as its new Johns Island location over Memorial Day weekend. While very similar to the Shem Creek Red’s, this one also takes advantage of its setting on the marina with large outside porches and terraces which allow patrons to capture the sweeping water views and gentle breezes. 

The menu and daily specials are the same as the Red’s at Shem Creek Expect and you can expect live music outdoor music most nights of the week, although it is a quieter atmosphere than the Shem Creek restaurant.  Don’t miss the All You Can Eat Crab Legs every Monday night from 6-9pm!