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Masonborough in Park West

If you haven’t ventured to Park West lately, you’re missing out. This Mount Pleasant community is thriving again, with 43 homes selling in the last six months and another 21 under contract. Masonborough, one of its key subdivisions, is leading the pack for custom-built homes.

“It’s certainly an advantage of Masonborough that folks can purchase a home site and build the home of their choosing,” said Clay Cunningham, a Broker Associate at Carolina One Real Estate. “Most of the home sites in Masonborough offer plenty of space–we’re talking in most cases a third acre or more. And there are several home sites with terrific marsh views. Most of the houses back up to the natural marshes and wetlands, rather than to another house. Some even offer waterfront with dock and boating in your backyard.”

The aesthetic in the community one reminiscent of Lowcountry leisure, with many of the Masonborough homes elevated from the ground and featuring large porches. Darrell Creek and the Wando River surround the neighborhood.

Masonborough began with over 250 home sites for the purpose of custom construction. Since the advent of the subdivision, about 190 families have named “These are larger homes, a minimum of 2500 square feet, with newer construction, something that people really seem to like,” said Cunningham.

the subdivision home, (including what is currently under construction) while approximately 65 sites remain vacant.

“Sixteen of the sites have recently been purchased by various builders,” said Cunningham. “I represented one of the builders in purchasing several of them.”

Price-wise, Masonborough homes are currently ranging from $500k to around 1.5 million, including the waterfront homes in the subdivision.

“It’s a serious hot spot right now,” said Cunningham with a smile. “A lot of the building companies are building here again and finding a great opportunity here, after the lull that took place for a few years.”

To give you an idea of how “hot” we’re talking, Cunningham said that in the last six months alone, over 20 lots in Masonborough have been purchased.

“We expect many homes to be sold–it’s definitely trending,” he said.

Of course, Masonborough is just a small part of the Park West community, which has over 16 subdivisions.

“Mount Pleasant is growing, and Park West has allowed a good bit of that growth to take place,” said Cunningham. “The land was available out here and we’ve used it responsibly for developments like this.”

When it comes to that small town feeling, Park West is attractive to plenty of home buyers. It offers retail shopping, plenty of restaurants, schools that are close by, as well as medical facilities right at the fingertips of the residents.

“My family and I moved out here when our children were still of school age, and the kids could reach school without even bothering with Highway 17,” remarked Cunningham. “I think that’s a big draw. There’s also a huge recreational facility, complete with a swimming pool, and the new Mount Pleasant Hospital is also at reach without getting on the highway.”

Cunningham feels that newcomers to the area seek out Park West – in search of community, space and value.

Contact Clay Cunningham by telephone at (843) 345-4647, visit his website at www.ParkWestNeighborhoods.com or email him at [email protected].

I’On, Mount Pleasant

It is an idyllic place to live. I’On, a small village nestled just off Mathis Ferry road in Mount Pleasant, was designed to foster neighborliness and a real sense of community.

I’On homes are built in the style of old Charleston and accented with porches where friends congregate to enjoy pleasant breezes and catch up on neighborhood news. I’On is divided into several distinct boroughs with homes ranging in price from about $500,000 to $3,000,000 which makes living there a viable option for many buyers considering Mount Pleasant.

Developed originally as a walking community, I’On has more than fulfilled its mission to create an alternative to urban sprawl. Houses sit close together intending to foster friendship and good neighbors. And there are plenty of sidewalks to invite evening strolls and and the day-to-day contact that is so important to the residents of I’On.

A delightful town square, anchored by The Inn at I’On and Jacob’s Kitchen, features a variety of boutiques and shops including The Square Onion where you can pick up a tasty takeout or O’Briens, the local pub, where neighbors convene for a casual meal or just to socialize.

Catha Remington, a Realtor with Carolina One Real Estate and Mortgage, and a current homeowner in I’On, can’t say enough about the wonderful lifestyle here.

“I came from New Jersey and l began searching up and down the East coast thinking when I began looking of settling in Wilmington, North Carolina or Florida where one of my daughters lives. Upon visiting Kiawah, where her family had vacationed several years, Remington explained ” On my way out of Charleston, I toured I’On and as I pulled into the community I remember saying oh, I could live here.”

“I really looked at this community,” Remington added. “I drove through in the morning, at noon and in the evening and then asked residents what made I’On special to them. I liked their answers! ”

What I’On offers is more than a home. The lifestyle is the big draw and has many attractive facets. I’On has traditional amenities such as pools and tennis courts, an exercise facility as well as walking trails ad The Rookery, a haven for dozens of species of birds.

But beyond outdoor activities such as fishing from one of the six community docks and kayaking on the lake, residents enjoy getting together for a variety of social events including monthly coffees, lectures, art associations, book clubs and supper groups.

“The best event is First Fridays,” Remington said. “Everyone brings an appetizer and their favorite drink and we just all socialize. Often we have as many as 80 people.”

Several times during the year, I’On puts on programs such as concerts or holiday events which are open to the public. Residents of I’On have access to the Creek Club, a lovely building often used for weddings and other special occasions. Set along the creek with landscaping indigenous to the south, the Creek club is an exceptional backdrop for any social gathering.

Beautiful homes, lush surroundings, congenial neighbors, an abundance of recreational activities and easy access to Charleston make I’On quite possibly the perfect place to live.

Because of those attributes I’On has received numerous accolades from organizations such as the Department of Natural Resources and Charleston Trident Homebuilders Association for its ground breaking design.

But the real winners are the people who discover the lifestyle that is uniquely I’On.

Is I’On for you? Find out more by contacting Catha Remington at (843)697-1667 or (843)849-5212 or email her at [email protected].

Beresford Hall, Daniel Island, SC

Rick Mullin, Vice President and Charleston Area Manager for Simonini Builders, can hardly mask his enthusiasm once you get him warmed up talking about Beresford Hall, a new waterfront community just off Clements Ferry Road North on the Cainhoy Peninsula. “Beresford Creek is a major tributary of the Wando River, and it’s one of the prettiest and most pristine bodies of water in the Charleston area,” he says. “To call it a creek is deceptive; it’s a significant body of water, and it offers deep-water access.” Looking from the community pier, stretching out over the broad expanse of marsh and the river beyond, it’s hard to argue with him. And it’s quiet. Country quiet. Remarkably, Beresford Hall is also only minutes away from I-526, downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant, and one exit from the amenities of Daniel Island.

Still, it’s easy to forget the hustle of city life once inside the gates of the community. Words such as community and neighborhood are often heard when talking to anyone involved with Beresford Hall. It’s obvious that everything was planned with community in mind—not community in the simple sense that it contains houses, but community as a philosophical concept. Having built three houses there, Ernie Diloreti, owner of Diloreti Construction, summarizes, “It is just a well-planned, family-centered community.” Good luck finding someone involved who refers to Beresford Hall as a development.

Grange Cuthbert, who is with Prudential Carolina Real Estate, says that the developer, Greenwood Development, is rare because unlike so many developers, “they don’t try to cut costs just to make more money.” For example, he points out that John Morgan, project manager for Greenwood, identified 581 “grand trees” on the 600-acre property. From the very start, John vowed to save every one of them, and he did—at no small expense. “It would have been a lot easier and less expensive to cut some of them, but he didn’t,” says Grange, who was so impressed with the master plan for the community that he decided to build a house there himself. “Having worked with Greenwood in the past, I knew that they would fulfill all their promises,” he adds.

Beresford Hall offers plenty of elbowroom. Lots are at least three quarters of an acre, while some go as high as three. “Most developers would have squeezed many more lots out of a property this size, but that was not Greenwood’s vision,” Grange points out. Lots range from deep-water sites with piers to interior lots overlooking ancient fields (one of which predates the colonial era) lined with ancient moss-draped live oaks. In addition to lot size, Ernie points out that required natural curtains and clearing guidelines for each lot enhance both privacy and the rural attitude of Beresford Hall, plus there are numerous permanent green spaces, such as an eight-acre meadow and five parks dotted throughout the community.

The fields and oaks are living artifacts of land that boasts a rich history. First hunted and farmed by American Indians, the land was deeded to Richard Beresford in 1706. Over the years, the site has witnessed brickworks that supplied the Charleston market (piles of these early manufactures rest where they were left near the community pier), the unsuccessful cultivation of silk and the genteel pursuit of Lowcountry game.

Today, the epicenter of Beresford Hall is the community center—“The Ruins”—cunningly designed to reflect a ruined 18th-century brick plantation house. Designed by preeminent architect Jim Thomas, the center features a large pool pavilion with a rustic lodgelike dining room and deep porches with an enormous covered grill and outside fireplace. The adjacent swimming pool overlooks the marsh. Rearward and to the side of the center, the icehouse—a smaller architectural “ruin”—shelters a commercial ice machine and sits beside the community boat launch, convenient for fishing, skiing or a sunset cocktail cruise.

From a builder’s perspective, both Rick and Ernie agree that one of the most attractive benefits of Beresford Hall is its relatively high ground. Some lots are as much as 20 feet above sea level. “I even have one that’s pushing 30 feet—an unusual feature in coastal South Carolina,” Rick says. He adds that having such high ground in a waterfront community is a marked advantage for builders because it invites so many more fl oor plan options. “In many cases, we are able to build out instead of up, providing grand living on a single level,” he explains.

Beresford Hall promises other activities in addition to water sports. Eight miles of walking trails and sidewalks accommodate biking and observing nature. For all its privacy, Beresford Hall’s parks and ponds, as well as a central post offi ce and the Grand Council Mall, reinforce the emphasis on family and community.

Young families in Beresford Hall will send their children to the soonto- be-opened Daniel Island Elementary School. Being part of this school reinforces Beresford Hall’s relationship with Daniel Island and all its amenities, but within a rural context.

Although there is no architectural master plan for the community, a strict building review board assures that all architectural plans relate to Beresford Hall’s Lowcountry character. “The review board here is tougher than in other places we’ve built,” Ernie claims, “and that adds to the value of the neighborhood.”

In keeping with such high standards of quality, Ernie pays special attention to details that make each house he builds in Beresford Hall unique. For example, he’s included cherry cabinets, made in Diloreti’s own workshops, in some kitchens. “Nobody will be able to walk into one of our kitchens and say, ‘Oh, I have that,’” he says.

An ardent student of Lowcountry architecture, Rick points out that although this vernacular style is simple, the details are meticulous. “The proportions of dormers, the alignment and entablature of columns and porches, the casings and head conditions of windows—attention to all these authentic details are not something an untrained observer can immediately identify, but those with a good eye recognize design when its done right,” Rick says. “Charleston is one of three major colonial centers with a rich architectural history,” he adds, “and I have an obligation to see that these traditions are executed faithfully in every house we build here.” Such a testimony should be no surprise coming from someone building houses in a community dedicated to the smallest details. As Grange puts it, “The clubhouse, post office, green spaces, parks, granite curbs—you rarely find such quality details in neighborhoods being built today.”

Mount Pleasant MLS Search

Hibben in Mount Pleasant’s Belle Hall

Located in Belle Hall Plantation just minutes from I-526 in Mt. Pleasant, the community of Hibben is a peaceful respite from the stress of daily life. Reminiscent of a traditional small Southern village, the streets of Hibben meander around grand oaks, saltwater marshes, community green spaces and nature preserves.

Covering more than 110 acres and overlooking the Wando River, Hibben shares community amenities, including an Olympic-sized pool, tennis courts, playgrounds and a state-of-the-art clubhouse, with the neighboring subdivisions in Belle Hall Plantation. Hibben, which eventually will include 300 homes, offers a wide variety of wooded home sites. Future phases of the subdivision will feature more than 40 marsh- or creek-view lots.

While traditional neighborhood developments are urban in theory, public opinion surveys have indicated that prospective homeowners want more green space. All home sites at Hibben are at least 10 feet wider and 10 feet deeper than lots at other traditionally designed neighborhoods. This makes it easier when searching for Mount Pleasant neighborhoods to make a good, solid choice.

“At Hibben we are sensitive in how our homes relate to the environment,” said Mark Regalbuto of Crescent Real Estate, which is marketing Hibben. “We want to retain as much of the natural pristine beauty as possible.”

Conceptualized as a traditional neighborhood design, Hibben’s real focus is its authenticity, balanced with affordability. Floor plans, in a variety of period styles, capture the true feeling of small-town Southern charm. While traditional neighborhood design is conducive and appealing to an eclectic, diverse grouping of people, in practice it is very expensive to develop. Most traditional neighborhood developments demand authenticity in every respect, driving up not only construction expenses but also long-term home maintenance costs.

Hibben, on the other hand, has chosen a true traditional neighborhood design but with modern construction materials to reduce costs. For example, instead of exterior wood siding, which is costly to install and maintain, Hibben uses cement fiber siding such as Hardiplank, which offers the distinctive look of wood combined with low maintenance and durability. These economics-based measures allow Hibben to adhere to architectural guidelines governing style while still providing the affordability that draws a wide variety of homeowners.

Since Hibben appeals to newlyweds, executives, young families with children and empty-nesters looking to downsize, homes vary in size from 1,400 square feet to 4,000 square feet. And with new home construction costs ranging from $150 to $165 a square foot, Hibben offers an affordability that is hard to find in Mt. Pleasant.

Simonini Builders, The Lantana Company, Driftwood Construction, Palladio Homes, Heyward Builders, Robert Benjamin Homes, Custom Homes of Carolina and Airlie Homes are some of the outstanding preferred builders available to help prospective homeowners with all their construction decisions.

Sewee Preserve, Awendaw, South Carolina

A hawk takes to the air, soaring high above the thick forest, wings spread against the crystal blue sky at Sewee Preserve. As nesting season begins, the diligence enlisted in every phase of this 500-acre conservation development continues quietly below, always with the goal to preserve, protect and respect all the wildlife that calls Sewee Preserve home.

Located just north of Mount Pleasant, Sewee Preserve provides a key link in the preservation of a strip of pristine South Carolina coastline. This property completes a seamless network of over 300,000 acres of “greenbelt,” which stretches from Sewee to Santee, and includes the Francis Marion National Forest and Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge. Developer Dennis Avery and his partner, William Dudley, protected more than 400 acres of this property through a conservation easement, ensuring that the land will be permanently protected from further development, offering safe haven for the wildlife that continues to thrive there.

According to Avery, the remaining property is divided into just 30 home sites on one contiguous block of 90 acres that runs along the salt marsh of Sewee Bay. “The goal of preserving this special tract of land is to demonstrate that it is possible to balance ecology and economy,” states Avery. “By offering super low-density housing, we are able to protect the Lowcountry’s natural heritage.”

To further enhance this wildlife habitat, Sewee Preserve has established the Sewee Partnership for birds of Prey with the South Carolina Center for Birds of Prey. The initiative works to improve and increase habitat suitable for eagles, owls, osprey, hawks and other raptors at Sewee Preserve. Property owners are honorary members of the center, which rehabilitates hundreds of injured birds each year and regularly releases them back into their natural environs.

Avery says that the “development side” of the project is nearly complete. “We added a water and sewer system to our original plans,” notes Avery. “We decided to go the extra mile because a water and sewer system is environmentally superior to wells and septic tanks.”

The lake, which will serve as a centerpiece for the development, nears completion. “It’s a 50-acre freshwater lake, which is, to the best of our information, the biggest lake in Charleston County,” comments Avery. “We’ve created a point on the lake that’s full of oak trees. We’re also building a lodge-style boathouse with kayak and canoe racks, and a dock. It will be a place where property owners can enjoy the outdoors.”

Avery notes that the community dock leads directly to Whiteside Creek, with views of Capers Island, the Isle of Palms and the Intracoastal Waterway.

As the concept of a conservation development turns into a reality, interest in the unique lifestyle offered at Sewee Preserve has piqued. “We’ve sold two more lots,” notes Avery. “After so much careful preparation, it’s exciting to finally see a house coming out of the ground.”

That house is being built by Pat Ilderton of Ilderton Contractors Inc., one of Sewee Preserve’s preferred builders. Recently, Dolphin Architects & Builders earned a spot on the development’s preferred builders list, and have plans on the drawing board for another one of the neighborhood’s first home.

“I think Sewee Preserve is very unique and very special even in the Lowcountry where we have so much natural beauty,” comments Walter Seinsheimer Jr., chairman of Dolphin Architects & Builders. “The things that are special – obviously the 400 acres of conservation area that is usable, not just sitting there, while the houses are close enough together to give a sense of community, yet sited to give privacy.”

The community is laced with over seven miles of old hunting and farm trails for exploring by foot, bicycle or horseback. The trails lead to the community dock, Sewee Farm, the lake, nature observation areas, and neighboring Bull’s Bay Golf Club.

“There’s no where else that I know of that you can live in the midst of nature and still be so close to daily necessities and entertainment,” he adds.

According to Seinsheimer, his firm has completed the design phase of the 5-bedroom, 4fi-bath home. Described as “sophisticated rustic” with a “river house feel,” the home will feature a “reverse plan,” with the living level on the second floor to maximize the views that Seins-heimer describes as “absolutely spectacular.”

Home sites range from 1.5 to 3.75 acres in size, with prices beginning in the $600,000’s. Property owners may choose their own builders and house plans in accordance with architectural design standards developed by the Sewee Preserve Architectural Review Board. Sewee Preserve has established guidelines for environmentally-sensitive home-building and lighting technologies and the use of indigenous plants for landscaping, all designed to better blend with the serenity and natural beauty of the property.

Paradise Island, Awendaw, South Carolina

Just A Few Minutes North of Mount Pleasant, South Caro lina, I see a sign to Paradise Island. Intrigued, I investigate as the road winds its way toward the river I know is nearby. Already I feel civili zation falling away behind me. And, suddenly, I arrive at Paradise Island. It is surrounded by marsh and un disturbed forest. The deep water of the Wando River beckons as raptors soar overhead.

This is what people mean when they say they want to “get away from it all.” Paradise Island is a 340-acre community offering deep-water, marsh-view and interior lots. The prices of the lots depend on the size–ranging from approximately a half-acre to slightly more than a full acre–and location. Interior lots start at around $190,000, but the prized deep-water home sites go for $575,000.

Covenants provide for homes of any size, and there is no time limit for building. Although the Fran cis Marion forest borders Paradise Island, the community has set aside additional green space that will remain in its natural state. The east end of the development includes a 1.2-acre community lot with a boat ramp and dock for residents.

A few lucky families already enjoy living in this pristine place, where they feel as though they have the best of both worlds: serene country living yet near all the conveniences of town. Excellent shopping and dining are available in Mount Pleasant, and local beaches are just a short drive away. But most times fishing and kayaking are the order of the day on Paradise Island. Just ask Gideon Murray.

“Hands down, I have the best views in Mount Pleasant,” he says. “Others may live on the water, but they don’t have this. …it’s naturally spectacular. Some evenings my wife and I watch the sun set over the Wando River, and I say ‘pinch me’ and she says ‘no, you pinch me.”

Murray goes on to say that “We looked at all the neighborhoods but when you turn down this road, it feels extremely comforting and relaxing.”

That’s the lure for many people, agrees John Popelka, who tells me the biggest “amenity” of Paradise Is land is the fact that it is surrounded by the Wando River and the Francis Marion Forest.

“It’s a very natural, secluded envi ronment,” he says.

While some perceive Paradise Island as being “far away,” Popelka reminds me that Mount Pleasant continues to grow northward.

“It’s just eight miles from where the new Super Wal-Mart will be, Wando High School and Carolina Park,” he says.

Just eight miles … but, when you’re watching that sunset, you might as well be a million miles away.

Park West, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Park West is a place where you can live, work and play, where kids walk to school, families gather at the nearby recreation complex to watch a game and everyone goes out for ice cream afterwards. You may not even have to leave … or, at least, you may not want to.

At the Park West’s Amenity and Tennis Club, you and your family will enjoy tennis, volleyball, a junior Olympic pool with a Summer Kitchen, a kiddy pool, a children’s playground, and a multi-purpose, swimming pool that features a “zero entry” point at one end, and an “in-pool” volleyball court at the other.

The “zero entry” end includes four hydro-jet fountains to provide a relaxing view for adults and fun for the young children. Additionally, there is a large swimming area at the center of the pool for adults, as well as a hydrotherapy pool that includes underwater bench seating. The building adjacent to the new pool is the new community clubhouse, which has standing room for 120. This is the permitted occupancy for the clubhouse. Seventy-two persons may be seated comfortably in a theater setting.

Other recreational outlets include approximately six miles of bike and hiking paths; four and a half miles of the winding Toomer and Darrell Creeks, with a crabbing dock at the Masonborough Park, and a business center chucked full of shopping and personal service opportunities for shopping, dining, browsing boutiques, or just sipping a cup of coffee … all without ever leaving the community.

Please take some time to explore our vision for Park West, look at the plans for Cambridge Square (the Town Village, which is under contract, but not yet developed), walk through the Park West Business Center, examine the plans for the remainder of the Business Center, look at the recreational and leisure amenities, and ask for information about Park West Schools, and future development of our community. Park West is a community where you will enjoy the results of the work of an environmentally conscious developer, who has taken great care to preserve approximately 250 acres of salt-water marsh and 292 acres of protected fresh-water wetlands; where neighborhoods, commercial establishments, schools, the recreational complex and the swim and tennis club are connected by sidewalks and bicycle and hiking paths for the convenience, safety and pleasure of its residents. It is a place you and your family will want to call home.

Dunes West, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Dunes West personifies Lowcountry living at its finest. From its perfectly manicured entrances to its unsurpassed neighborhoods, the security and serenity of coastal Carolina’s most scenic and enticing community welcomes residents home to its spectacular ponds, creeks, marshes and rivers. Situated along the pristine shores of the Wando River in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Dunes West is considered the Charleston area’s premier gated residential community. Stately homes in established neighborhoods border the championship golf course and Wando tributaries, Wagner and Toomer Creeks. Dunes West offers a superb country club lifestyle with unlimited recreational opportunities.

John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, which purchased Dunes West in 2002, introduced the community’s brand new amenities center during its grand opening event in June. The new center has already taken this premier community’s amenities package to a higher level.

Of special interest is The Club at Dunes West’s expansive new athletic clubhouse, located on Harpers Ferry Way just behind the gate. The clubhouse includes a state-of-the-art fitness center that features machine and free-weight equipment, an aerobics room where weekly classes are offered and meeting rooms ideal for everything from entertaining small groups to hosting large neighborhood get-togethers. Dunes West’s full-time activities director, Meg Keally, coordinates a busy schedule of events and activities for club members— everything from holiday parties for the entire family to karate, yoga, dance and aerobic classes.

Another major highlight of the new clubhouse is its all-new water park. With something for every member of the family, it features a zero-entry pool with two huge umbrellas that provide shade as swimmers ease into the water as they would at the beach. To the delight of children, the pool includes kiddie-friendly attractions such as a looped water slide and other squirting and spurting features that entertain the little ones for hours. Parents can join in the fun, relax in the screened porch and lounging areas amid tropical palm trees or head over to the competition and lap pools located behind Thomas Lynch Hall for an invigorating workout.

And, of course, tennis enthusiasts love the club’s nine lighted courts—six asphalt and three clay— complemented by viewing pavilions and a pro shop. The tennis center, managed by Director of Tennis Jack Miller, is a veritable hub of activity for all ages, with a variety of programs available, including camps, league play, group clinics and private lessons for all ages.

Recreational activities at Dunes West aren’t limited to the amenities center. In fact, Dunes West boasts what might be the Charleston area’s largest playground. Since it opened in 2005, it has been an instant winner among the under-12 club members, who enjoy hours of fun on slides, swings and jungle gyms.

Nelliefield Plantation, Daniel Island, SC

When you first drive into Nelliefield Plantation, you’ll be delighted by the look of this community. The houses are colorful, ranging from muted greens and blues to splashes of coral and rust. Built with HardiePlank siding, many of the homes are accented with brick, giving them a more high-end look. Architectural shingles add to the good looks and curb appeal. The homes are beautifully landscaped, and some residents even enjoy pond views.

Nelliefield Plantation is located in the growing town of Wando, an easy drive from Highway 41 or the Clements Ferry Road exit of Interstate 526, more familiarly known as the Mark Clark Expressway. This charming neighborhood is just six miles from the exit, near the island community of Daniel Island and the bustling town of Mount Pleasant.

And that is the beauty of Nelliefield Plantation. It is just far enough away from the bright lights and busy roads of Mount Pleasant yet near enough for easy access to shopping and the East Cooper beaches. The homes themselves are spacious, featuring three to four bedrooms in a variety of one- and two-story floor plans. Nine-foot ceilings are standard, as are spacious kitchens with maple cabinets in a variety of styles and glazes, and quality Whirlpool appliances. Extra touches are evident throughout and include ceiling fans with lights in all living areas and bedrooms and pre-wiring for phone, cable and fiber optics. Tankless water heaters mean no more running out of hot water mid-shower.

John Dezinna of Coastal Cottages of South Carolina, among the contractors currently building in Nelliefield Plantation, believes the same quality that goes into million-dollar homes should also be foremost in more affordable housing. Dezinna is a licensed contractor with decades of experience in everything from foundations to those final finishing touches. Although he strives to include as many desirable features as possible, he is happy to provide buyers with additional upgrades such as hardwood floors and solid surface countertops.

All this sounds like it could be expensive, but the homes in Nelliefield Plantation are surprisingly affordable. Compared to Mount Pleasant, where a typical starter home might be in the $300,000 range, Nelliefield offers pricing from the high-$100s to the mid-$200s.

Better hurry if you are interested in one of these homes. At these prices, they’ll be snapped up quickly.

Molasses Creek, Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

The waters of the Wando River wend their way inland as Molasses Creek. Nestled against its bank lies the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of the same name, a community of about 140 homes that blend almost seamlessly into the lush, green landscape, where residents live amid the ebb and flow of the tidal waters.

Molasses Creek is a gracious neighborhood set along gently rolling hills that line the marsh and creek. The custom homes are comfortably large and, although they vary in style, each embodies the Lowcountry spirit – and the personality of its owner. Not every home is directly on the creek, of course, but those that are take full advantage of marsh and water views with large screened porches and decks.

Lots can be described only as spacious, allowing each home to be sited to its best advantage and to allow plenty of room between houses. Since most of Molasses Creek was built between 1988 and 1994, the landscaping has matured, further enhancing the look of each home. As you drive through the neighborhood, you occasionally are pleasantly surprised by a lovely lagoon or a view of the creek.

The attention to detail continues inside the homes. Living spaces are open and airy, kitchens are laid out for ease of movement and bedrooms feature large closets and private bathrooms. Extras such as tray ceilings, moldings and elegant fixtures serve to punctuate the quality built into each home.

Peggy Leete, an agent with Carolina One Real Estate and a Molasses Creek resident, enjoys the neighborhood’s easy lifestyle. She especially likes living in an excellent school district and close to shopping and places such as the Mount Pleasant Memorial Park, Remley’s Point and Patriots Point Golf Links. And within just a few moments, you can be on the Arthur Ravenel Bridge, heading to historic downtown Charleston and points beyond.

“We’re so close to everything,” Leete said. “We love to ride our bikes through the neighborhood or down to the Mount Pleasant Memorial Park. It’s so beautiful.”

Peggy Leete, Carolina One Real Estate
Peggy Leete
Carolina One Real Estate
(843) 532-7923

No huge amenities center mars the pristine beauty of Molasses Creek, but Leete pointed out that homeowners have the option to become members of the Hobcaw Yacht Club or the I’On Club, both just minutes away. The Yacht Club features a waterfront playground and park, a clubhouse, docking facilities, an annual sailing regatta, sailing and swimming lessons, cookouts, fishing tournaments and an outdoor swimming pool monitored by lifeguards. The I’On Club has a junior Olympic pool, a baby pool and a lounge pool, as well as a fitness center and tennis courts.

Leete said that when it is time to upgrade, Molasses Creek homeowners seem to prefer staying in the neighborhood and renovating rather than relocating. She pointed out that one family has chosen to completely renovate their entire house – a year-long project – rather than leave Molasses Creek.

“If I moved, it would be to another home in Molasses Creek,” she said.

For more information, call Peggy Leete at (843) 532-7923, email [email protected], or visit www.peggyleetehomes.com.

Molasses Creek Photos