If you’re considering buying land to build your dream home, where do you begin? That’s a question a lot of buyers have. You can just (or maybe you can) go out and say I want that piece of dirt right there and think it’s going to be easy to build your new house every time. If you are looking at Charleston SC, here is where you’d start. There are many very important factors that one needs to consider before pulling the trigger on a home site or some land in SC. Here this page will break down all the nuances, risks, and factors real estate buyers looking to purchase land lots, agricultural hunting land, and developed homesites in Charleston SC & South Carolina (or anywhere) should know going into it.
MLS Listings Data
What's YOUR Home Worth?
Stunning 1.04 acre lot in the heart of Mt Pleasant in one of the most desired neighborhoods. Lots this large in this part of Mount Pleasant rarely if ever come available. Hobcaw Point subdivision offers owners a chance to live the good life in this exclusive deep waterfront neighborhood complete with its own club (membership optional). The lot sits right on a small freshwater lake, that over looks Hobcaw Creek. Complete with gorgeous large mature live oaks trees adorned in Spanish moss you'll not see another lot like this one in Mount Pleasant again. The community also has a large saltwater lake. So you have it all here in Hobcaw Point. For Club info visit the Hobcaw Yacht Club website.
Three quarter acre building site in beautiful Jenkins Point Plantation on Seabrook Island. This corner lot has tidal marsh views in the front and possible marsh views in the back. Adjacent lots have beautiful custom-built homes so no future worries about the placement of your dream home. Lot will accommodate the New Home Collection plans available through Seabrook Island Real Estate, pending final approval from the architect. The New Home Collection is for those who desire a new home without going through the process of what custom building requires. All collection plans have been pre-approved by the ARC and the buyer selects all of the interior finishes. Purchase of the lot is separate from the home. Collection floor plans are available under photos. Seabrook Island is home to a private
SELLER-FINANCING! PRICE REDUCED BY $25,000.! This is a wonderfully situated piece of land for an individual or family looking to create an idyllic retreat far from the madding crowd. 4 acres of lush, wooded, highland (Tract A tax map #154-00-00-035) fronting on dry marsh of Leadenwah Creek. OWNER HAS IN HAND A TRANSFERABLE DOCK PERMIT, INCLUDING RIGHT TO A COVERED PIERHEAD PLUS 485 FT. WALKWAY. Property is zoned AGR/RES allowing 1 dwelling per acre.
Stunning 1.04 acre lot in the heart of Mt Pleasant in one of the most desired neighborhoods. Lots this large in this part of Mount Pleasant rarely if ever come available. Hobcaw Point subdivision offers owners a chance to live the good life in this exclusive deep waterfront neighborhood complete with its own club (membership optional). The lot sits right on a small freshwater lake, that over looks Hobcaw Creek. Complete with gorgeous large mature live oaks trees adorned in Spanish moss you'll not see another lot like this one in Mount Pleasant again. The community also has a large saltwater...
Three quarter acre building site in beautiful Jenkins Point Plantation on Seabrook Island. This corner lot has tidal marsh views in the front and possible marsh views in the back. Adjacent lots have beautiful custom-built homes so no future worries about the placement of your dream home. Lot will accommodate the New Home Collection plans available through Seabrook Island Real Estate, pending final approval from the architect. The New Home Collection is for those who desire a new home without going through the process of what custom building requires. All collection plans have been...
SELLER-FINANCING! PRICE REDUCED BY $25,000.! This is a wonderfully situated piece of land for an individual or family looking to create an idyllic retreat far from the madding crowd. 4 acres of lush, wooded, highland (Tract A tax map #154-00-00-035) fronting on dry marsh of Leadenwah Creek. OWNER HAS IN HAND A TRANSFERABLE DOCK PERMIT, INCLUDING RIGHT TO A COVERED PIERHEAD PLUS 485 FT. WALKWAY. Property is zoned AGR/RES allowing 1 dwelling per acre.
WATERFRONT LOTSVIEW LIST LAKE MURRAYVIEW LIST GATED COMMUNITIESVIEW LIST HUNTING / AGRICULTURALVIEW LIST BEACHFRONTVIEW LIST
TYPES OF LOTS
The most popular kind of home site these days. If you’re wanting to build in a PUD (planned unit development) or in layman’s terms a traditional lot & block neighborhood with rules and regs usually you’re going to be ok with most of the lots for sale, as it is customary for the developer to have organized and planned out every detail for you. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some other factors you should look into (or your agent). HOAs can be a nightmare too. 
- Wooded Lot
- Corner Lot
- Cul-de-sac
One of the biggest factors to consider when buying a lot here in the Charleston SC area (and all of the coastal regions of SC) is the grade or the land’s “levelness” if you will, with the surrounding land so that it is flat and not below the rest. As you’ll see in the graphic to the right, there are many ponds shown. That’s because when the surrounding land around you is at or just above sea level as is the case with coastal areas, developers have to account for all the rain runoff, and they do this by making retention ponds. Some listing agents will say a lot is “waterfront” or “pond front”, and it maybe be. However, it is actually just a required retention pond dug for fill dirt and rainwater. If you buy a lot that is near wetlands or is below grade it might cost you $15,000 in dirt just to bring the lot to grade, and level with the surrounding land. So you don’t want to buy it seeing trees, and brush only to find out after the lot has been cleared you can’t start building until you’ve spent thousands of $$ dumping truckloads of fill dirt. It might be better just to buy a lot that is already high enough or been brought up to grade.
The three types of lots above are just common examples of what you’ll find regularly in SC. Obviously, you could have a corner wooded lot. Wooded just means it’s not on waterfront or lakefront, and the seller’s agent is conveying to the buyer that you’re in a more “foresty” type community. You’ll have to have the lot cleared of trees as well. In terms of desirability, that’s really up to the people buying it and what’s important to them. If you have small children or plan to, then those people usually want something in the back of the neighborhood on a dead-end road, or cul-de-sac. Corner lots are desirable to some because some people don’t want neighbors near, or want two ways to drive onto their property. Corner lots tend to be the more expensive when buying in development because most people like the idea of having the ability for ingress & egress from two sides of the property and not having neighbors on the sides. Then again, there are also people who don’t like the idea of having cars coming and going on both sides of them.
MLS Listings Data
What's YOUR Home Worth?
Stunning 1.04 acre lot in the heart of Mt Pleasant in one of the most desired neighborhoods. Lots this large in this part of Mount Pleasant rarely if ever come available. Hobcaw Point subdivision offers owners a chance to live the good life in this exclusive deep waterfront neighborhood complete with its own club (membership optional). The lot sits right on a small freshwater lake, that over looks Hobcaw Creek. Complete with gorgeous large mature live oaks trees adorned in Spanish moss you'll not see another lot like this one in Mount Pleasant again. The community also has a large saltwater lake. So you have it all here in Hobcaw Point. For Club info visit the Hobcaw Yacht Club website.
WHY PARK ISLAND? 1.Private island living on a 30 acre gem on the Wando River.2.One of the few lots approved for a private dock!3.Gated access to a 1440ft bridge ensures peaceful and tranquil living.4.Be enraptured by the sunsets and captivating beauty of the Salt Marsh. 5.Park Island offers all the amenities of the small town that is Park West. Family amenities including a community clubhouse, swim and tennis club, volleyball court, summer kitchen, playground, and miles of walking trails!6. Charleston's top ranked schools right here in Park West.
This exquisite lot on Park Island is one of the largest of 33 homesites on a 30-acre PRIVATE ISLAND within desirable Park West! Surrounded by the Wando River, Toomer Creek and the captivating beauty of the salt marsh this 1.05 acre lot approved for its own deep-water boat lift is truly a rarity in the heart of Mt Pleasant. Connected to the Park West community by a 1,440-foot bridge, Park Island offers all the amenities of the small town that is Park West. With extensive family amenities including a community clubhouse, swim and tennis club, volleyball court, summer kitchen, playground, and miles of walking trails. Park West is home to Mount Pleasant's 59 acre multipurpose recreational complex as well! Charleston County Schools which are rated the best in the state!
A great opportunity to build your dream home in one of the few remaining home sites left in SHELLPOINT. This is a well wooded lot that is on the 33 acre lake. This is a true custom home neighborhood where you are absolutely free to pick your own builder as well as your very own plans. This is located in the center of Mt Pleasant convenient to Town Center, Coleman Blvd, I526, and the beaches.
This property consists of two acres and it is the one acre in back which over looks Heron Lake that is for sale. The acre should provide two home sites to be developed. In order for the town to approve subdivision, mobile homes must be removed. The present owners plan to live on one acre and need to utilize funds from the sale to finance new construction. To protect the buyer's advancement of funds prior to the two acres being subdivided, a lien will be granted on the area in front. When the town approves the subdivision of the two acres, the lien can be terminated. The final result is that a new individual will own the one acre in back and the present owners will each own a home on the one acre closest to Seventh Avenue.Owners are not interested in selling the twoacres.
Incredible opportunity to build the home of your dreams on the marsh and tidal creek in Park West!! Just over a quarter acre with stunning views, on a quiet cul de sac. Nicely nestled in the Wheatstone subsection, this is your dream property - take a look!!
Stunning 1.04 acre lot in the heart of Mt Pleasant in one of the most desired neighborhoods. Lots this large in this part of Mount Pleasant rarely if ever come available. Hobcaw Point subdivision offers owners a chance to live the good life in this exclusive deep waterfront neighborhood complete with its own club (membership optional). The lot sits right on a small freshwater lake, that over looks Hobcaw Creek. Complete with gorgeous large mature live oaks trees adorned in Spanish moss you'll not see another lot like this one in Mount Pleasant again. The community also has a large saltwater...
WHY PARK ISLAND? 1.Private island living on a 30 acre gem on the Wando River.2.One of the few lots approved for a private dock!3.Gated access to a 1440ft bridge ensures peaceful and tranquil living.4.Be enraptured by the sunsets and captivating beauty of the Salt Marsh. 5.Park Island offers all the amenities of the small town that is Park West. Family amenities including a community clubhouse, swim and tennis club, volleyball court, summer kitchen, playground, and miles of walking trails!6. Charleston's top ranked schools right here in Park West.
This exquisite lot on Park Island is one of the largest of 33 homesites on a 30-acre PRIVATE ISLAND within desirable Park West! Surrounded by the Wando River, Toomer Creek and the captivating beauty of the salt marsh this 1.05 acre lot approved for its own deep-water boat lift is truly a rarity in the heart of Mt Pleasant. Connected to the Park West community by a 1,440-foot bridge, Park Island offers all the amenities of the small town that is Park West. With extensive family amenities including a community clubhouse, swim and tennis club, volleyball court, summer kitchen, playground, and...
A great opportunity to build your dream home in one of the few remaining home sites left in SHELLPOINT. This is a well wooded lot that is on the 33 acre lake. This is a true custom home neighborhood where you are absolutely free to pick your own builder as well as your very own plans. This is located in the center of Mt Pleasant convenient to Town Center, Coleman Blvd, I526, and the beaches.
This property consists of two acres and it is the one acre in back which over looks Heron Lake that is for sale. The acre should provide two home sites to be developed. In order for the town to approve subdivision, mobile homes must be removed. The present owners plan to live on one acre and need to utilize funds from the sale to finance new construction. To protect the buyer's advancement of funds prior to the two acres being subdivided, a lien will be granted on the area in front. When the town approves the subdivision of the two acres, the lien can be terminated. The final result...
Incredible opportunity to build the home of your dreams on the marsh and tidal creek in Park West!! Just over a quarter acre with stunning views, on a quiet cul de sac. Nicely nestled in the Wheatstone subsection, this is your dream property - take a look!!
LOT SHAPES
The shape and size of a lot can also be a considerable factor when you’re looking to purchase “dirt” for building a home. In the case above where you’re looking to buy in a PUD, the builder/developers have already subdivided tracts of land such that it maximizes their profitability. They don’t usually take the shape of the lot into much consideration, and they design out the neighborhood to make sure they: One – get county and city building and zoning approval, and Two so they can sell as many homes as possible.
Obviously the shape of the lot will vary based on the shape and size of the land that has been developed, how the roads have been cut, sidewalks, the requirements of the city, easements, and appurtenances, etc., but above are the most generic common shapes you’ll find. Obviously, when building a home on a pie-shaped lot they will be on a cul-de-sac, AND it can be tricky for an architect to design (depending on size) is something to consider.
COMMON GLOSSARY OF TERMS TO KNOW WHEN CONSIDERING BUYING DIRT/LAND/LOT
- Setbacks – The amount of required space your property must be away from another home, the road etc. is the minimum distance which a building or other structure must be set back from a street or road, a river or other stream, a shore or flood plain, or any other place which is deemed to need protection.
- Easement – is a legal right to use another’s land for a specific limited purpose. In other words, when someone is granted an easement, he is granted the legal right to use the property, but the legal title to the land itself remains with the owner of the land. This usually mostly applies to things like city / neighborhood drainage easements, and utilities.
- HOA – As mentioned above if you buy a lot to build a home in a PUD you’re going to have a Home Owners Assoc. which is going to have rules and regulations you HAVE to adhere to as part of the neighborhood. If you don’t can result in fines and hassle. For this reason, many people do not like PUDs.
- Regime Fees – Very similar to HOA fees (mainly just a legal name difference) in many instances, if your neighborhood has amenities, common areas etc.. there will be fees due often times at closing, monthly or quarterly to maintain and pay for those items.
- Building Restrictions – if you purchase a lot in a PUD where the developer is just selling lots and not also building homes – PUDs, city or county will have rules and restrictions that your home design must adhere to or not do. So ask for a copy of the building codes BEFORE buying the lot. Especially, if you already have architectural drawings completed or a home plan you want to use.
LAND LOT SALES TRENDS FOR CHARLESTON SC
Above is a three-year graph of the number of land lot listings sold in the Charleston SC region year over year since 2016.
FLOOD RISK
Here is Charleston SC, which is much different from some of our state’s other major markets of Columbia (Midlands), and Greenville/Spartanburg (Upstate) flooding is a regular way of life that one must consider when owning or buying real estate in the low-country. Coastal areas such as: Sullivan’s Island, Hilton Head, Pawley’s Island, Edisto, Georgetown, Myrtle Beach, Isle of Palms, and all of Charleston SC people have to always consider the floor risk. Especially if you’re looking to buy a waterfront property then building your house off the ground is a must. Virtually all the land near the coast of South Carolina will be close to or at sea level, and although direct hits from hurricanes, believe it or not, are rare, the tidal surge is not as rare. With high tides and deluges of rain from tropical storms, you have to have flood insurance in most instances even if you’re in an X zone which technically doesn’t require it. It is still smart.
