Shipwatch Buildings A & B Make Return

Posted on October 31, 2015 by Donnie Whitaker

ShipwatchAfter months of renovations and repairs, buildings A & B have reopened in Shipwatch Villas located in Wild Dunes Resort.   Owners can once again occupy both buildings, rent units out to guest, and list their property for sale.

I would expect in the following month or two to see additional listing inventory to the already existing units listed for sale in buildings C & D,  which were the first to be renovated and opened for occupancy last year.  It will be interesting to see how new inventory will shake out movement in the building.

While there have been a few units to sell over the last 12 months, most have been sitting.  Usually when a property sits on the market for months, it has to do with price more than anything.  I don’t think thats the case in this situation.  My opinion is current inventory is sitting because potential buyers have been waiting out the openings of buildings A & B,  anticipating new condos to hit the market.   Once this happens, I expect pent-up-demand to take over and inventory to begin to move at a healthy pace.  And while some asking prices will be reduced because of competition, most will eventually get their number.  After all, with Shipwatch you have a completely renovated building.

Currently asking prices for units located in buildings C & D range from $569,000 for a ground floor 2 bedroom/ 2 bath to $799,000 for a 3 bedroom / 3 bath penthouse.

Click here to see the list of units for sale in Shipwatch Villa .

Follow me, call me, text me,  or email me if you would like to be notified when new units hit the market.

Thanks

Donnie

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Exploring Sullivan’s Island

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Donnie Whitaker

7B1A0008The Charleston Coast is made of up several beaches.  On the north side of Charleston you have Folly Beach and Kiawah Island, on the south side of Charleston you have the Isle of Palms, Wild Dunes Resort, and Sullivan’s Island.  All of the beaches are unique in their own way, and as someone who has lived in Charleston for over 15 years, I have certainly spent plenty of timing exploring them all.   I go through periods where for reasons one beach will be my beach of the week or month, and then that will get old and I will move on to the next.

As it goes, my beach of choice right now is Sullivan’s Island.   Sullivan’s Island has been called the Hampton’s of the south for it’s large yards, classic beach cottages, and dare I say, home prices ($1 million to $6 million).  But aside from that it’s a laid back island, it’s an island for locals, second home owners, and nature lovers.  On Sullivan’s Island you won’t find many beach rentals, or high rise hotels, and there are only a few condos.

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The main area attracts locals and tourist from all around, with it’s home grown restaurants and shops.   If you travel to the southern tip of the island you will find Fort. Moultrie, a site of the American Revolution and Civil War.  If you walk the beaches, you will find wild dunes,  miles of sand, wildlife, and sanctuary.   Sullivan’s Island is also home to the last major lighthouse built by the federal government, which still operates today and can be seen miles away.

Sunsets from Sullivan’s Island are beautiful.  One of my favorite spots to watch the sunset SI Aderondakesis at the southern end of the island just past Fort Moultrie.   Turn left on Station 12 and there is a small public parking lot that leads right out to the beach.  In the summer it can get crowded, but in the off season, you are almost always going to find a spot.  Park your car and walk south.  From there you will get a great view of the city of Charleston, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, and a great sunset!

After you watch the sunset, you will probably be ready for a bite to eat.  Here are some suggestions of mine….

7B1A9264-2Here are my favorite spots to eat on the island.  There is not need to get all dressed up on SI.  Heck, take your dog to dinner with you (not all restaurants of course, ask).  I’m not fancy, and if you are like me, I would suggest these.

Home Team BBQ –  South Carolina mustard based BBQ, smoked chicken and turkey, burgers, and more.

Poes Tavern – Best burgers in town IMO.  They also have great fish tacos!

Sullivan’s Restaurant  –  I love their fried shrimp.  Great place for seafood.

Obstinate Daughter – A wide variety of delicious food.

Dunleavy’s Pub–  One of Sullivan’s Islands original spots.  Dunleavy’s Irish Pub has been serving up good bites for years.

If you are a history buff, make sure to take a tour of Fort Moultrie.

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Dewees Island Adventure

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Donnie Whitaker

7B1A9638Over the weekend I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to spend two nights on Dewees Island.  Take Bald Head Island, then take away the golf course, restaurant, club house, shops, paved paths, and groomed setting, and you are left with Dewees Island.  While this might not sound like much of endorsement, to someone like myself, it is.

Dewees Island is as natural an island as you will get.  There are no paved road or paths, there is not fancy club house, or five star restaurant, or golf course.  What you will find on Dewees is mile of untouched ground that is a playground to a naturalist, a bird watcher, a nature photographer, or someone just wanting to get away from it all.  It is as much of a bird sanctuary as I have ever seen. 7B1A9709

My trip started out by hopping on a ferry at the Isle of Palms Marina.  From there it is about a 10 minute boat ride to the island.  At arrival a golf cart waited for me and my host for the weekend.  I was quickly greeted and shown the way to my condo, named  Sea Oats.  It was not fancy, but very comfortable.

I settled in and regrouped for few minutes, then grabbed my camera and headed out to catch my first sunset.  A short golf cart trip down the dirt road led to a long dock (can’t remember the name) and an enjoyable walk to the end to catch a beautiful sunset. It did not disappoint.  After sunset I returned to my condo and some night photography.  Here in Charleston there is usually just to much light to shoot the night sky, but on Dewees the stars shined bright.

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The next morning came early but was worth getting out of bed before light.  It started by shooting sunrise on the pond and then a boat ride to photograph birds and dolphins. After a fun morning out with the camera, I took a few hours off to regroup.  Earlier in the day during my exploration I notice a cool old tree along the Lone Cedar Dock.  I knew it would make a good subject at sunset so I returned later that evening and set the camera up for a beautiful landscape capture. The night end and once again I set the alarm for another early sunrise.

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The next morning jumped on the golf cart and headed to  Osprey Walk to catch the sunrise on the beach.  As the sun began to rise colors and rays popped producing one of the most beautiful scenes and sky I have ever seen.  They morning concluded with a call to the ferry operator and a return boat ride to the Isle of Palms.  I hope to return to Dewees as soon as possible.

7B1A9861Interested in real estate on Dewees Island?  Call or email me and I will put you in touch with Dunes Properties Dewees Island Real Estate expert,  Judy Fairchild (my host for the weekend).

Interested in purchasing any of these images?  All the photos on my site are by me and for sale at my photography site. 

Cheers,

Donnie

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What’s with the Carolopolis Award?

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Donnie Whitaker

If you have ever walked around historic Charleston, you have noticed a small round plaque found on many of it’s historic homes and buildings.  This plaque is known as the Carolopolis Award.  But what is it exactly and what does it mean?

7B1A8796As anyone knows,  historic preservation is a very important part of maintaining Charleston’s historical integrity and look.  In 1953 an award was created to honor exterior preservation, restoration, rehabilitation and new construction in the City of Charleston.  Since it’s creation, the Preservation Society of Charleston has recognized 1,309 owners with this award.

On the award (as seen the photo above)  you will find the Latin word Condita which refers to founding and also find two dates.  The first date (1670) refers to the cities founding, and the second date refers to the year the award was given.

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Wild Dunes Staycation

Posted on August 6, 2015 by Donnie Whitaker
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Grand Pavilion Home

Sometimes it’s fun to be a tourist in your own town.  This week my best friend was in town with his business partner, their wives and children.  They were kind enough to let me hang out with them for a couple of days and stay at the Grand Pavilion home they rented.

These days the majority of the time I spend in Wild Dunes is through work, showing homes,  and the relaxing side of it is forgotten.  The days were spent on the beach or at the pool with a COLD cocktail in hand, and one evening they treated me to pizza and the next night we had a great seafood dinner at the Boathouse Restaurant on the Isle of Palms.

As usual I had to snap some photos to share with all.  During the two days I was there, we had rain off and on, but this evening the clouds parted at sunset making for a cool landscape photography opportunity.

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If you are interested in owning or selling in Wild Dunes contact me at (843) 607-0954 or send an email to dwhitaker@dunesproperties.com

To purchase a print of the image above visit my photography site.

Cheers, Donnie

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