At the Water's Edge - WaterView Home

Callawassie Island Club, SC, Bordered by 3 Rivers, Joins WaterViewHome Network

Callawassie Island Club, SC: Waterfront living.

SOUTH CAROLINA

=> Callawassie Island Club, Okatie
Callawassie Island is a private 880-acre, member-owned, golf and country club in the heart of South Carolina's Lowcountry.

Situated between historic Beaufort and the world-famous resort of Hilton Head Island, and lying amid the Chechessee, Colleton, and Okatie Rivers which empty into Port Royal Sound, the island allows residents easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.

A 27-hole Tom Fazio course is the centerpiece of the community. Additional amenities include a 26,000 square-foot clubhouse with casual and formal dining, a fitness and aerobics center, six Har-Tru tennis courts, two large swimming pools, boating, a community park and private dock with a preserved tabby and fire-brick foundation of a rare 18th-century sugar mill.

Natural and Navigable: Residents enjoy the outdoors all year, and launch boats from community docks. Callawassie Island Club is the first community in South Carolina to earn the National Wildlife Federation's Certified Community Wildlife Habitat Award and the 15th certified community in the nation.

Real Estate: Callawassie Island Club, SC

• Single-family homesites range from less than 1/2 acre to over 1 acre
  
  • Wooded, lagoon, golf, marsh/river, or deep water views
  • No time limit for building
  • Owners may choose their builders and architects
  • Priced from $15,000 to $450,000
• Resale homes priced from $300,000 to over $1 million
• Resale Heron Walk Villas may be available
  
  • Approximately 1,620 heated square feet Golf, lagoon, and/or wooded views 
  • Priced from $180,000
• Click here for more information about the Callawassie Island Club

Woodside Plantation, SC Preps for Its Annual Festival of Homes in April, Prices Start at $297,000

> Woodside Plantation, Aiken SC is making preparations for its annual Festival of Homes show, to be held in late April. For their debut at the show, seven new floor plans have been designed.

These home designs will range in size from 1,900 to 2,900 sf.

Prices for the package of home and lot will start at $297,000. Send me more information about Woodside Plantation!

Kiawah Island RE Highlights Its Waterways & New Neighborhood with Kayak Trip

The Kiawah Island Real Estate team recently joined developer Dyal Compass and builder Royal Indigo Construction, the team behind Kiawah’s newest neighborhood Indigo Park, for an kayaking excursion along Kiawah’s extensive waterways.

Indigo Park is the Island’s only aspiring LEED Platinum neighborhood. Found within Vanderhorst Plantation beyond the second security gate, it will feature 16 homes nestled peacefully along a verdant marsh sharing space with grand live oaks.

In celebration of the green-centric community, the group took to the water from the new Cassique community dock and meandered through the creeks and marsh, enjoying Kiawah’s natural beauty. Beyond the extensive landscape of the Island and its never-ending vistas, the kayakers also saw a bald eagle and a number of bottlenose dolphins. 

After their entertaining kayaking adventure, the group concluded the evening with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, again in the outdoors, on the patio and in the garden at the Cassique clubhouse. Request more information about Kiawah Island living.

Kiawah Island, SC: 90 Holes of Golf, Beaches, Tennis & a 5-Star Resort Rating

Kiawah Island, SC: Real estate for the ideal vacation home.

SOUTH CAROLINA
=> Kiawah Island, Kiawah Island

Kiawah Island is a private, master-planned, resort and golf communityjust 21 miles from historic Charleston, has joined the WaterViewHome Network of outstanding waterfront communities. Carefully integrating its residents' needs and amenities into the Island's pristine beaches, tidal marshes, winding creeks and maritime forests, Kiawah Island is both a top resort destination and vacation home ideal. 

Ranked as the Second Most Romantic Beach in America in 2008 by National Geographic Traveler, Kiawah’s Atlantic frontage has an unforgettable beauty. Residents enjoy five outstanding championship golf courses, two tennis centers, the private Kiawah Island Club, plus a full range of outdoor activities.
 
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a Forbes Five-Star, exquisitely designed oceanfront hotel that captures the spirit, history and charm of the South. This world-class getaway boasts numerous restaurants, including the Five-Star Ocean Room, an award-winning spa and beautiful accommodations.

Sea-Island Standout: With clubhouses set on some of Kiawah’s most dramatic settings,The Kiawah Island Club is a sea-island standout. From its complex of pools at The Beach Club to its rubico tennis courts at The River Course,  the club has a full complement of exercise facilities.

Real Estate: Kiawah Island, SC

• Homesites, priced from the $200,000s to $5 million+
  • Views include fairway, lagoon, marsh and creek, the Kiawah River and the Atlantic Ocean
• Homes, priced from $550,000 to $29 million
  • Includes new custom homes and resale homes
  • Homes vary from seasonal retreats to year-round residences
  • Villas and Cottages, priced from the $200s to $2 million+
  • Located conveniently close to Island amenities and offering spectacular views
  • Click here for more information about Kiawah Island!

April in Charleston, SC, & Hilton Head Harbor Is a Full Month for Boaters

Lots going on in the Charleston, SC, area in April, including the Family Circle Cup at Daniel Island which will hold its semifinals and final this weekend. For boaters, see below. Marine Events in the Low Country Waterways, compiled by WaterwayGuide.com.

1. As part of the Charleston Ocean Racing Association (CORA), the scheduled sailboat regatta for the month of April is as follows:  - Sheriff’s Cup to Bohicket - Saturday 30 April.  For more information please contact Mr. Mike Palazzo of CORA at (843) 693-6453.

2. 12 April - The Town of James Island and Fort Johnson will be sponsoring a ceremonial firing of a siege mortar with a 4lb black powder charge blank from a point on Fort Johnson in the direction of Fort Sumter at around 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

Coordinated with the firing of the mortar, the South Carolina National Guard will be firing a star burst shell to simulate the original signal for the batteries to commence firing. For more information please contact Mr. Doug Bostick at (843) 513-5456.

3. 14-17 April – Charleston Maritime Foundation and Charleston Ocean Racing Association will be hosting the Charleston Race Week 2011 on Thursday through Sunday. Approximately 300 sailboats will be racing in the Charleston Harbor in 3 specific race areas and offshore on the Atlantic Ocean in 2 specific race areas. For more information on the races courses please refer to MSIB 13-11 or contact Mr. Danny Havens of the South Carolina Maritime foundation at (843) 722-1030 Extension 18.  

4. 15-16 April – Hilton Head Harbor Marina is hosting the 7th Annual Hilton Head Harbor Wahoo Shootout Friday and Saturday. Approximately 34 center console sport fishing boats ranging 26’ to 50’ in length will be participating in the waters surrounding Hilton Head Marina. For more information please contact Marc Pincus at (843) 298-0377. 

5. 17 April – The town of Mount Pleasant will be hosting their Bless of the Fleet and Seafood Festival on Sunday.  With approximately 20 vessels ranging in size from 20’ to 75’, the commercial shrimp boats will leave from Shem Creek toward the mouth of the harbor. For more information please contact Chairperson Ms. Ann R. Magwood at (843) 884-6869. 

6. 21-23 April - Carolina Yacht Club will be hosting their Easter Regatta Thursday through Sunday. Approximately 50 14’-26’ sailboats will be racing around the Charleston Harbor. For more information please contact race director Harvey McCormmick at (843) 795-7145. 

7. 28-30 April – The Georgetown Landing Marina will be hosting the 3rd Annual Georgetown Meatfish Slam Thursday through Saturday.  There will be approximately 50 participants in 21’ – 60’ boats participating in the offshore fishing tournament.  For more information, please contact Mr. David Black at 843-546-1776.

8. 30 April – The Jimmie Snyder Sailing Club (JSSC) will sponsor it’s JSSC April Regatta.  There will be 15 participants in 14’ Sunfish sailboats racing in the Lake Marion, SC Wypoo Area.  For more information, please contact Mr. Greg Williams at 803-775-4508.

The Coast Guard will not restrict commercial or recreational traffic during the course of these events unless otherwise noted. For Coast Guard related issues please contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Office at (843) 740-3188 or the 24 Hour Command Center Line at (843) 740-7050.

2011 Lake Keowee Season Opens March 19-20 at the In-Water Boat Show

The March 19-20 in-water Boat Show opens the lake season on Keowee.

 

Lake Keowee Marina and The Tiki-Hut in Seneca are hosting the season’s first in-water boat show March 19-20 from 10am to sunset both days. Lake Keowee is the home of The Reserve at Lake Keowee, a world-class golf and waterfront community. Request more information. Come meet representatives from Sea Ray of Greenville, Performance PowerSports, JC Sports, Foothills Motorsports and more than 35 marine and area businesses.

Test drive and receive special boat-show pricing on your favorite watercraft from Sea Ray, Bennington Pontoon, Boston Whaler, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Polaris, Victory, Malibu, Axis, Mooba, Avalon and more. Request more information.

Reserve at Lake Keowee, SC, Announces New Family Legacy Membership Benefits

The Hudson Family: One of the first to take advantage of new Legacy Membership at The Reserve at Lake Keowee.

With a focus on the family, The Reserve at Lake Keowee has introduced its Legacy Membership, a robust expansion of benefits to the community’s Full and Premier Members.

The Reserve’s Legacy Membership now allows Members at the Greenville, SC, community to extend their membership privileges beyond their spouses and minor children to include their parents, adult children, and grandchildren. Existing members need only complete a Family Registration Form to activate their Legacy benefits. Request more information.

A Family-Oriented Community
“We have always been a very family-oriented community and have tried hard to cater to the desires of members and to carry out our promise and vision as a place to create family legacies,” explains Chuck Pigg, VP of Greenwood Communities and Resorts and Community Manager of The Reserve.

“Upon reflecting on our 10th Anniversary year, we recognized once again how important it is to our members to share The Reserve with their families.

"We felt that one of the best things we could do to enhance the membership value for existing and future members, as well as further strengthen our commitment to family, was to offer membership privileges to the parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren of the member.”

Transitioning Vacation Home to Retirement Home
The legacy aspect of The Reserve’s new Legacy Membership answers a growing demand among Baby Boomers, as evidenced in the Kelsey & Norden’s study, to transition their vacation/second home into a retirement home. More than half of the Baby Boomer respondents indicated that they are “likely” to “very likely” to retire in their vacation/second home. Request more information.

And though no one can deny the keen eye all buyers have toward the perception of value-for-price, Kelsey & Norden found that “the recession forced people to reevaluate their priorities and values. Many families concluded that spending quality time together away from their regular stressful, time-constrained lives is now more important than ever.”

Full-time residents Barry and Carol Hudson echoed those same sentiments:

“We decided to build at The Reserve because we believed this would be a place our kids and grandkids would want to visit and that has certainly been the case.  Keeping the family together is a priority for us, and The Reserve is the perfect place to do that. So, naturally, we were delighted to hear about the new Legacy Membership.

“Our son, Shannon and wife, Melissa, live in Greenville and are excited to know they will have full membership privileges making The Reserve amenities more easily accessible.  Our daughter, Barbara Ann, and husband, Kirk, visit several times a year even though they live in Oklahoma.”

The Hudson Family congregates at The Reserve every summer, over the Fourth of July.  They enjoy the Family Olympics at Turkey Ridge Park, watching the fireworks, golfing, and of course, doing all manner of activities in and around the lake and pool.  During fall visits, the whole family takes to the trails.

Bringing Families Together
For part-time residents Doug and Sandy McKinney, too, the impetus for building a home at The Reserve has always been to bring their large family together:

“We have five children, four sons-in-law, a son who is recently engaged, and eight grandchildren,” Sandy McKinney explains.

“Our lakefront home at The Reserve can sleep 23 people, and we included a great beach with boats and jet skis, not only so that our kids would want to come visit, but also our grandkids. Our property is wonderful, but The Reserve and its amenities make it doubly wonderful.”

In the first weeks since announcing the new Legacy Membership, more than 160 parents, children, grandparents and grandchildren have enrolled in the new program. Request more information.

Hampton Lake Introduces Signature Series Custom Homes, Open House on Oct. 24

Lakeside amenity at Hampton Lake, the Lake House.

Encouraged by recent statistics showing a rising trend of new home sales in Beaufort County, SC, Hampton Lake has introduced a new product line of custom homes to be constructed by four leading area homebuilders: Tilton Group Signature Homes, Custom Classics by David Weekley, Harden-Tuten Custom Homes and Full Circle Development. Ask for more information.

Kristen Lee, marketing director for Hampton Lake, said nine new home models will be available to view this fall with one being a new Signature Series home built by Full Circle Development. The public is invited to an Open House at Hampton Lake on October. 24th from 1 pm to 4 pm.

The 900-acre, award-winning, lakefront community is expecting its array of amenities, along with close location to the beaches of Hilton Head Island and historic Savannah, GA, will be especially appealing to families and retired couples moving into the area, as well as others looking to build a ‘customized’ home.

According to Gerrit Albert, president of Hampton Lake, prices of the custom homes – including homesite – start in the $400,000s for wooded homesites and in the low-$500,000s for lakefront properties with each builder offering three featured floorplans that purchasers can choose from and then customize to their own desires. Ask for more information.

“There are tremendous savings for the homebuyer in a program like this, where they can have their own individualized and customized features,” said Albert. “The builders are each designing floorplans to be unique to our community and take advantage of our lakefront setting and natural beauty.”

Albert said he attributes Hampton Lake’s continued success in the face of a difficult economy to the wide range of quality homes that are available at very attractive price points. “People are going to be amazed at the price points and overall value of these homes. The Signature Series offers custom homes with exceptional features and finishes paired with the quality, high-end lifestyle and resort-level amenities that Hampton Lake offers at a truly affordable price.” 

Individuals looking to review the new selection of floorplans and tour the community can make an appointment by contacting the community’s sales center at 843-836-5253. 

Antique Boat Show at The Reserve at Lake Keowee, SC, Showcases Cris-Craft Family

Classics on parade at the The Reserve at Lake Keowee boat show.

Chris Smith – the grandson of Christopher Columbus Smith, the founder of Chris-Craft boats – along with Alan Smith, the elder Smith’s great-grandson, shared stories at The Reserve at Lake Keowee’s Marina and Village on Friday, May 21, during a luncheon and boat cruise held in conjunction with Lake Keowee’s 2ndAnnual Antique Boat Show.

The Antique Boat Show, hosted by the Blue Ridge Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society drew scores of passionate boaters with their vintage watercraft from different parts of the country to Lake Keowee on May 20-22. Each day featured boat cruises, followed by intimate get-togethers. The event is one of many signature celebrations planned throughout 2010 honoring The Reserve community’s 10th Anniversary.

“What an honor to have Chris and Alan join us for this year’s event,” remarked Chuck Pigg, vice president of Greenwood Communities and Resorts and community manager of The Reserve at Lake Keowee. “Having all of those handmade wooden boats in our marina was certainly a sight to see, and we look forward to the opportunity to host the Society members again.”

Chris Smith touched on his time at The Reserve by accentuating the beauty of the place and the warmth of the people:

“I had such a wonderful time. What I saw of The Reserve I was very impressed with… the beautiful Village Center, the marina was excellent, and the grounds and buildings were absolutely gorgeous. In my younger days, I used to put my golf clubs in my boat on Lake Michigan and drive right up to the golf course. This place reminds me of that. How much better could it get? Golfing and boating… I plan to try to come back.”

Chris Smith and company. 

Based in Sarasota, Fla., Chris-Craft has a fleet of 19 models ranging from 20 to 40 feet and a tradition of excellence dating back to 1874.

About The Reserve at Lake Keowee
With a membership of more than 600 families from 30 different states, The Reserve at Lake Keowee is a lake, mountain and golf community stretching across 3,900 acres including 30 miles of shoreline on Lake Keowee and 1,400 acres of green space. 

Created by Greenwood Communities and Resorts, The Reserve offers more than $100 million in completed, family-friendly amenities, including a 200-slip Marina, Village Center complete with Guest House and a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and more than 1,400 acres of parks, preserves, trails and green space.  Home sites at The Reserve begin in the low $100,000s. To learn more, visit The Reserve at Lake Keowee's bio page on WaterViewHome.

ICW Cruise: Daniel Island's Mitchell Wharf Offers Deepwater Docks, River Views

Editor's Note: The ICW series of blog entries details the April 2010 cruise down the ICW made by WaterViewHome Network Publisher David Lott. The purpose of the trip is twofold: to accompany Captain Steve Weisbrod who is delivering a 43-foot Lagoon PowerCat from Lewis, DE, to Key West, FL, where it will become part of a charter fleet, and to visit golf and waterview communities and report on them. You can read all other posts by clicking on the headlines on the list of entries at the end of this installment.

Charleston: Mile 469: A Visit to Daniel Island.

Daniel Island Marketing Director Julie D. & daughter Sophie

The day started off with a delightful introduction. I was picked up at the marina by Daniel Island Marketing Director Julie Dombrowski, with whom I had been working for five years via phone and email, and who was accompanied by her daughter Sophie.

It was the first time we had met--yet  another face to place with the voice after many years of marketing co-operation. Meeting Sophie was a bonus. She was on her way to school at Daniel Island which was where this photo was taken.

Julie's husband owns Ted's Butcher Block, a local shop offering gourmet meats, cheeses and freshly prepared meals. While I was in Charleston, the crew from one of the mega yachts stopped in and ordered $2,000 worth of meat with one order.

My arrival at Daniel island had just missed the conclusion of the Family Circle Cup which features the top women tennis pros in the first outing of the spring clay court season. The Family Circle Cup goes back to the 1970s when I covered the event and it began its tradition of introducing to the international stage soon-to-be famous players such as Pam Shriver and Jennifer Capriati. Request more information.

Part of the pagentry that accompanies the tournament is the fly-over by the Blue Angels, the aerial goodwill ambassadors for the U. S. Navy and Marine Corps. It is a spectacular week to be on-island.

Daniel Island home under construction.

Since the time available for my visit was short, we drove straight to where the action now is at Daniel Island. We drove by this home under construction to the edge of the community that borders on the Wando River en route to the site of the future Mitchell Wharf neighborhood. Boaters will be interested in the new release of homesites here which come with a permit to install a deepwater dock. Homesite and home packages start in the $600,000s and go up to $1.2 million. Request more information.

Mitchell Wharf will look out on the Wando River.

In addition to the beach shown above, Mitchell Wharf will also have other common areas such as parks, playgrounds and pools.

To the left of Mitchell Wharf are peaceful marsh views.

Quintessential Daniel Island neighborhood--Charleston architecture, tidy streets.

As we rode on through Daniel Island I was impressed how mature the community is--buyers don't have to wait for infrastructure and amenities to be built. Everything is in, no waiting.

Kid's paradise--a tree house with a water view.

Kids are a welcome part of life here, witness the elementary school we dropped Sophie off at, and this tree house, above, will keep any child's imagination filled with visions of pirates and days at sea. The swimming club, below, is also a popular spot. Request more information about Daniel Island.

An easy place to spend the day--the swim club.

Homes look out on the delicate marsh eco-system.

Everywhere you look you are reminded of the delicate ecosystem that surrounds Daniel Island. The homes above look out over march, through which you can see a simple boardwalk which will give you a memorable nature tour.

Boardwalks skirt the marsh.

This home caught my eye with its impressive entrance and gas light.

Close up of the front door.

Gas lamp on front stairway.

We stopped by the 11th green and 12th tee on the Tom Fazio-designed Beresford Creek Course which is neatly tucked into neighborhoods of stately homes. Request more information about Daniel Island

Golf course home overlooking the 11th green, Beresford Creek Course.

Home overlooking the 12th tee, Beresford Creek.

I returned to the marina and we immediately we cast off and headed towards our next destination--Hilton Head Island. As we moved out of the harbor we passed the Coast Guard station. Th passage had special meaning for me. My father, as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, was Captain of the Port of Charleston during World War II, receiving a special commendation from the governor at the war's end. 

Coast Guard on duty at harbor entrance.

As we departed, this sailboat headed downwind along with us.

Next Stop. Hilton Head Island, Harbour Town Yacht Basin and more.

Follow the Complete Trip Down the ICW by clicking on the headlines below.

ICW Trip Announcement 

DAY 1 - Havre de Grace, MD - Engine Trouble 

DAY 2 - Alligator River Marina, NC - River Forest, NC   

DAY 2: A Visit to River Dunes, Oriental NC

DAY 3 - The Oriental Boat Show Is a Town-Wide Celebration

DAY 4 - Tiptoeing Past Firing Lines to North River Club & Brunswick Forest

DAY 5 - St. James Plantation Marina - New Home Construction

DAY 6: Charleston's Mega Dock Is a Showcase for the World's Most Beautiful Yachts

Day 6: Daniel Island's Mitchell Wharf Offers Deepwater Docks, River Views

Day 6: Harbour Town Yacht Club with All the Trimmings on Hilton Head Island

Day 7: Discovering Windmill Harbour's Elegance and Privacy on HHI, SC

Day 8: Going 'Outside' to Fernandina & The Peaceful Marshes at Oyster Bay Harbour'