Kiawah Island, SC for 2nd property

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is sure seems like NC is in bad weather’s path much more than SC. Maybe because we have several friends and family in NC and we pay close attention to all the weather news.

It's true. If you look at a map showing the track of hurricanes historically, Wilmington, NC is the bull's eye. The coast of SC is recessed, and further away from the Gulf Stream, so it simply doesn't get as many hurricanes and those that hit tend to have weakened a bit by the time they hit the coast. Of course, there are always exceptions (Hugo). The tides are very extreme on the SC coast, as well (8 feet in some places), so the storm surge from a hurricane that hits at low tide is not likely to cause damage. There was a major hurricane that hit the SC coast in the 50's that hit at low tide and caused no flooding damage.

I had a great aunt who lived in Wilmington and it seems she was always bracing for a direct hit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - I own a house on Kiawah and love it! Yes, we would have made more money investing in index funds as some suggest, but we didn’t buy it as an investment, it as something to enjoy and we have. We love coming here at different times of the year. The spring and fall are particularly glorious and the breezes and warm ocean make up for the hot summers.

The one thing I would suggest is to be sure to hire a property manager to look after it while you’re gone and to get it ready for your arrival. They also provide cleaning service and are a ready source of referrals to contractors if you need them. Feel free to post any specific questions and I will try to answer them.

Thank you! We’re looking for a house and not interested in renting out. Likely in the $2M range and are curious about the new construction (not a deal breaker at all). What can we expect to pay for property management? And how does the membership work for the Kiawah club (not sure what it’s called) and about how much does that cost? We’d like golf and tennis access.

My parents have a fairly modest (4 bedroom) house in one of the parts of Kiawah where lots are being sold, most homes in the neighborhood are far larger. They put on close to $4 million, including the cost for the lot, architect, etc. . . I think it would be hard to build for $2 million, although there are smaller new spec homes with much smaller lots built by Kiawah real estate. Older properties, especially those mid island, can be gotten for much less. Most of the lots available now are either close to the beach and marsh club, or in Cassique, which has one of the Kiawah club’s clubhouses, and a golf course. They cost more because of amenities. Most of the new lots come with the option to join Kiawah club, I think more than $50,000 for social membership, which has more limited golf privileges, and at least twice that for full golf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - I own a house on Kiawah and love it! Yes, we would have made more money investing in index funds as some suggest, but we didn’t buy it as an investment, it as something to enjoy and we have. We love coming here at different times of the year. The spring and fall are particularly glorious and the breezes and warm ocean make up for the hot summers.

The one thing I would suggest is to be sure to hire a property manager to look after it while you’re gone and to get it ready for your arrival. They also provide cleaning service and are a ready source of referrals to contractors if you need them. Feel free to post any specific questions and I will try to answer them.

Thank you! We’re looking for a house and not interested in renting out. Likely in the $2M range and are curious about the new construction (not a deal breaker at all). What can we expect to pay for property management? And how does the membership work for the Kiawah club (not sure what it’s called) and about how much does that cost? We’d like golf and tennis access.

My parents have a fairly modest (4 bedroom) house in one of the parts of Kiawah where lots are being sold, most homes in the neighborhood are far larger. They put on close to $4 million, including the cost for the lot, architect, etc. . . I think it would be hard to build for $2 million, although there are smaller new spec homes with much smaller lots built by Kiawah real estate. Older properties, especially those mid island, can be gotten for much less. Most of the lots available now are either close to the beach and marsh club, or in Cassique, which has one of the Kiawah club’s clubhouses, and a golf course. They cost more because of amenities. Most of the new lots come with the option to join Kiawah club, I think more than $50,000 for social membership, which has more limited golf privileges, and at least twice that for full golf.

Do your parents host holidays there? How much are you able to get there with your crew?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The part they’re developing is called ocean park
https://www.kiawahisland.com/neighborhoods/ocean-park/

It’s sad that they are going to develop that actually

[Anonymous]

As to whether to use KIRE or an outside realtor, my inclination would be to start with KIRE, but I don’t see this as an either/or situation. If you see something on the multilist (which you can see online), you can contact an independent realtor to view it. Please keep in mind that I don’t know whether independent realtors have access to Kiawah’s listings in addition to their own at this point - this access was promised by Kiawah Partners a month or two ago, but, not being in the real estate market currently, I don’t know whether this has been implemented or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - I own a house on Kiawah and love it! Yes, we would have made more money investing in index funds as some suggest, but we didn’t buy it as an investment, it as something to enjoy and we have. We love coming here at different times of the year. The spring and fall are particularly glorious and the breezes and warm ocean make up for the hot summers.

The one thing I would suggest is to be sure to hire a property manager to look after it while you’re gone and to get it ready for your arrival. They also provide cleaning service and are a ready source of referrals to contractors if you need them. Feel free to post any specific questions and I will try to answer them.

Thank you! We’re looking for a house and not interested in renting out. Likely in the $2M range and are curious about the new construction (not a deal breaker at all). What can we expect to pay for property management? And how does the membership work for the Kiawah club (not sure what it’s called) and about how much does that cost? We’d like golf and tennis access.

My parents have a fairly modest (4 bedroom) house in one of the parts of Kiawah where lots are being sold, most homes in the neighborhood are far larger. They put on close to $4 million, including the cost for the lot, architect, etc. . . I think it would be hard to build for $2 million, although there are smaller new spec homes with much smaller lots built by Kiawah real estate. Older properties, especially those mid island, can be gotten for much less. Most of the lots available now are either close to the beach and marsh club, or in Cassique, which has one of the Kiawah club’s clubhouses, and a golf course. They cost more because of amenities. Most of the new lots come with the option to join Kiawah club, I think more than $50,000 for social membership, which has more limited golf privileges, and at least twice that for full golf.

Do your parents host holidays there? How much are you able to get there with your crew?

They are retired and spend about 8 to 9 months a year there. There are a lot of retirees, almost all of whom have a second residence elsewhere.

We only go about once a year. More because I have busy teenagers than anything else. It’s an easy direct flight to Charleston from
Bwi.

[Anonymous]

Rent and enjoy. Avoid the annoyances and worries.

[Anonymous]

Person who said "no culture" is spot on....too new! No patina. The Hamptons so much nicer with great history & gorgeous beahes. It has the first ranch in America and no high rises.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would sell it. Climate change is going to ruin it.

I kind of agree. I would not be buying coastal property. Maybe 20 years ago, but not now.

+1 insurance will be impossible

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Private Wealth Advsior here: great investment property, as Kiawah has more year round rentals (as opposed to Florida). Akers Ellis and Sweet grass are good rental/mamagemet companies. Ignore the climate changers.

Yes, private wealth managers are experts on climate change.

[Anonymous]

I wish I were rich and could get a house in a place like Kiawah. I am so sick of living in this lifeless hellhole that is DC.

Regarding Kiawah, I do have a friend with a place there who has no trouble renting all year long.

[Anonymous]

The issue with Kiawah is that its going to take just 1 big storm to knock out the connector bridge and/or flooding will leave it useless for a long time. There's only 1 way on the island.

Scientists are looking at how to preserve Kiawah, but all agree major erosion/beach loss will happen in the the next 50 years.