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| Summerville is a city (population
33,000) located roughly 25 northwest of historic Charleston, South
Carolina. Within Summerville is a
master-planned community called Cane Bay Plantation,
and within Cane Bay Plantation is a brand new Del
Webb 55+ active adult retirement community named Del
Webb Charleston. This is a growing area, as
real estate prices in Charleston continue to rise,
and this community makes retirement here affordable
and very comfortable. |
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Pre-construction sales started in spring of 2007, and some homes
are just starting to come to completion, although the entire
community is not slated for completion until 2010. There are
three series of model homes, all single-family and all built on one
level; the series are separated from one another in the development,
with similar-sized homes grouped together. Smaller homes,
sized from 1,103 square feet to 1,414 square feet, are priced from
$179,990 to $201,990 and have two bedrooms and two baths. The
middle series has homes priced from $234,990 (1,590 square feet) to
$271,990 (1,919 square feet ) and with two to three
bedrooms. The most expensive homes have 2,050 square
feet to 2,590 square feet, have two to three bedrooms and two to
three baths and are priced from $301,990 to $389,990.
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This is a large community (1,000 planned homes on 360 acres) and is generating
a lot of excitement as it will offer some less expensive real estate in the
Charleston area, where the median home price is $224,000. The
amenities are top-class, just as they are in most Del Webb developments.
Residents here will enjoy a 20,000 square foot clubhouse that will house a
state-of-the-art fitness center, a kitchen, an aerobics studio, an indoor and
outdoor pool, tennis courts, bocce courts, a spa and more (the clubhouse is
slated to be finished in the fall of 2008). Preserved wetlands and
blooming flowers make for lush surroundings; there will also be miles of
walking trails, a gate house manned during daylight hours and full time
activities director; it's hard to be bored or reclusive here.
Monthly HOA fees are $199 in addition to a yearly HOA fee of $100. Call 843-482-4600
for more information.
There are some restrictions that should be considered. The HOA
maintains the grounds and oversees the landscaping, so no above-ground fences
are permitted (so even though three pets per household are allowed, they cannot
be fenced in, which could be an issue, except for those with fish). No
gardens are allowed. Golf carts are allowed.
Children and grandchildren under the age of 19 may stay in a home for up to 90
days in a consecutive 12 month period. Anyone over the age of 19 may be a full
time resident, provided one household resident is 55 years or older.
$5,000 earnest money is required at the signing of a
contract. With the slowing housing market, Del Webb is offering
some buyer incentives. Those closing in 2007 will have the option of
having their HOA fees paid for two years (a roughly $5,000 value).
South Carolina allows a $50,000 homestead exemption on the fair market value of
a home for residents who are 65 years or older, and the property tax rate of 4%
is charged on roughly 1% of a home's assessed value.
Charleston is a delightful city, characterized by West African, traditional southern American and
French elements. Founded in 1670, it is known as the Holy City
due to its number of churches. Live oaks draped in Spanish moss, grand
historic homes and southern hospitality all add to its charm. Deb Web
Charleston is about 30 minutes from downtown Charleston and about 30 minutes
from the South Carolina coast. Trident Medical Center and Summerville
Medical Center are approximately 15 minutes away.
There are a couple of drawbacks to consider if this area of the country is
on the list for potential retirement spots. It has a significant hurricane risk (and was hit by
Hurricane Hugo in 1989) and has a higher than average earthquake
risk.
Mild winters, hot, humid summers, and significant rainfall are the
norm; the average January high is 58 degrees, and the average July high is 90
degrees. January lows are in the 30s and 40s; July lows are in
the 60s and 70s.
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