St. Helena Island

If you're familiar with the writings of Beaufort, SC native son Pat Conroy, then you are familiar with the the water-born landscape of novels like The Prince of Tides, Beach Music, and The Great Santini.

It's not uncommon for Beaufort Realtors  to receive inquiries from prospective buyers looking for a place to set up a weekend getaway. Water is a way of life in Beaufort, a county of more than 90 inhabited islands. If you've ever been swept up by the kind of property which provides the landscape for Conroy's novels, then you may want more information regarding 100 Vineyard Point (MLS # 129025), a new listing which is about 25 minutes from downtown Beaufort, SC.

This bucolic homesite has a tidal creek flowing through the back yard, and, offered at

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I was reminded yesterday about the first time I heard the term "short sale," back in late 2007. We all know what a short sale is now -- it's when a seller accepts an offer on his property that is less than that owner owes on the mortgage. So, the bank needs to agree to take a loss on the property, before the owner is allowed to sell.  

I received an email yesterday from a friend who asked me about a property I had sold a few years ago on McTeer Drive in Coffin Point, a spectacular, wooded neighborhood overlooking St. Helena Sound, on St. Helena Island. This home was a 1960s rancher, with unbelievable views of St. Helena Sound, and even better azalea bushes that exploded and crackled in the spring time. Coffin Point may be only 25 minutes away from Historic…

When someone says "beach" in Beaufort, some obvious places come to mind. Hunting Island, for instance, with its several miles of beach and unique maritime forest, is the most visited state park in South Carolina, and an incredibly popular destination for Beaufortonians and visitors alike.

Fripp Island and Harbor Island, just to the northwest, are Beaufort's best-known beach communities, and offer access to several miles of beach. At either Fripp or Harbor, you can find a single-bedroom condo within easy walking distance to the beach, or a lavish beachfront home.

But there are some lesser-known beaches in Beaufort as well, namely Coffin Point and Land's End, which sit on opposite sides of St. Helena Island, one of Beaufort's large barrier islands. Although…

Those seeking waterfront property in the Beaufort area probably want to spend some time looking on St. Helena Island.

St. Helena Island is all about water. St. Helena Island is bordered by St. Helena Sound and Port Royal Sound on two sides, and Cowan Creek and Harbor River on the other two sides. Creeks and tributaries thread the island, creating waterfront real estate opportunities at ever turn. St. Helena Island is a largely rural barrier island between historic Downtown Beaufort and the beach islands of Harbor, Hunting and Fripp Island.

Although largely rural, St. Helena Island has a number of very distinct communities, including several gated neighborhoods -- Dataw Island, Polawana Island, Bermuda Bluff, and Bermuda Inlet.

Although developed by the same…

I was contacted recently by a buyer interested in St. Helena Island. If you are not familiar with St. Helena Island, it is some of the most diverse real estate you'll find in the Beaufort area.

If you are looking for a large, private waterfront homesite on which to build your dream home, St. Helena Island could be the ticket. Large waterfront tracts are available, and, as you might guess, prices are as affordable as they have been for years.

If you are looking for a gated community with stellar amenities, St. Helena has that as well.  Although largely rural, St. Helena Island is home to some of the finest planned communities in Beaufort County -- Dataw Island, Polawana Island, and Bermuda Bluff, to name a few.

St. Helena is renowned for its waterfront

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It is possible to visit Beaufort, SC, a dozen times and see Land's End. Most visitors to Beaufort tend to enjoy our downtown area, including the quaint shops and restaurants along Bay Street, and the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Par.  Land's End is a little harder to find, even though it is less than 30 minutes from downtown Beaufort.  Land's End is less of a destination than some of our other areas, and not a place you are likely to stumble upon.

This is why Land's End is so popular coming to Beaufort in search of a second home, or a vacation getaway.  Land's End has a feel like Beaufort might have had years ago. Land's End enjoys a peaceful setting.

Land's End sits on the southern end of St. Helena Island, one of Beaufort's most beautiful barrier

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Rachel Field wrote a poem entitled "Once You Have Slept on an Island You Will Never be Quite the Same"  The residents of Bermuda Bluff agree with her.  This 150 acre island  is located on the Beaufort River (ICW) and is just a twenty minute drive from Beaufort.  There are 98 estate sized lots that are private and boast views of marshes and creeks, lake or the Intracoastal Waterway.  A low country summer afternoon is a perfect time to enjoy the refreshing pool  and a lovely sunset.  Try your hand at tennis on the recently re-surfaced court or enjoy nature as you explore the island from walking paths along the marsh.   Many residents enjoy dolphin and bird watching from the observation tower.  The community dock is a good place to do a little shark fishing

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Today I wanted to tell everyone a little story about my exploration of an area that's taken me a year to see, Polawana Island (Which is on St Helena Island).  As a Realtor, I have almost unlimited access to visit every community in the Beaufort area.  I simply show my credentials to security and voila, I am in.  Owned by out-of-town developers, this subdivision is different.  Access is limited because the owners are very particular on who has entry rights.  Last Saturday, my wife and I, met a Polawana property owner who was nice enough to allow us access to decide in person if the development was a hit or bust.

To my excitement Polawana Island was much more than I thought it would be.  Our little excursion was more memorable than I thought it could be. 

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