Charleston SC Relocation Information

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

Community Profile

“number three on their list of best U.S. cities to visit”

CHARLESTON HAS BEEN NAMEDBY CONDÉ NAST:

Luxury Land and Homes, Inc.

LOOK INSIDE MOST ANY

SOUTHERNER AND YOU WILL FIND

SOMEONE YEARNING TO LIVE IN

CHARLESTON. This city is heart andsoul of the old and the new south, andis now again the thriving epicenter ofart and culture, style and taste. Up anddown every street are the magnificenthomes, churches, public buildings andmarkets built first within the colonialfortified city and soon extendedbeyond its walls. The city weatheredpirates, wars, storms, economicdevastation and a revolution in itssocial structure.

Unwavering in pride of home andfamily, Charlestonians protected theirheritage against those who would teardown the aging wood, brick, and shellstructures and replace them withmodern steel and glass. The

preservation trend that started inCharleston spread across the south.Once again Charleston leads the wayto a good life in aglorious and authenticsetting.

Charleston is sosparkling, it looks as ifit were paintedyesterday.Surrounding thisunique city is a vastplayground ofprotected water, marshand forests, plus 90miles of beaches, alloffering sanctuary towildlife and outdoorrecreation beyondcompare. It’s called the lowcountry,and Charleston is its center.

History Meets ModernityIn the days of antebellum grandeur,

the rich merchants, the planters and thelabors of slaves madeCharleston (then calledCharlestown) thewealthiest and mostcosmopolitan city in theAmerican colonies.Europeans andAmericans flocked to thecity, allured by greatfood and wine, shops fullof imported luxuries,theatre, concerts, anddancing. Today the greatport is the fourth largestin the country andnumber one in modern

port technology. It continues to importand export the best of art and technology.

Center of the LowcountryKristine Cox

Wild Dunes, Isle of Palms

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Condé Nast readers

have named

Charleston number

three on their list

of best U.S.

cities to visit

111 East Bay Street, Charleston, SCLuxury Land and Homes, Inc.

CHARLESTON COMMUNITY PROFILE 3

Charleston’s famous Spoleto Festivalis described as “one of the best artsfestivals in the nation, if not the world.”Each May master performers andemerging artists from all over the worldconverge on the city for 17 days ofperformances in theaters, churches andthe out of doors. Simultaneously,Piccolo Spoleto showcases regionalartists with dozens of events andexhibits. In February, Charleston stagesthe largest wildlife art exposition in thecountry. And October brings the MojaFestival, a celebration of African andCaribbean contributions to Charleston’sculture. These, and many other eventsand institutions, such as the annualtours of homes and gardens, and thenew aquarium, rely on the help ofvolunteers. Volunteering is an instantway to feel enveloped in that famousand welcoming Southern hospitality.

Charleston has a list of “bests” and“firsts” that have made the city abeacon. For three years running, CondéNast readers have named Charlestonnumber three on their list of best U.S.cities to visit behind only SanFrancisco and New York. Kiawah, nearto Charleston, was ranked the third bestisland to visit, and among great hotels,Charleston Place ranked No. 31 andPlanters Inn No. 34.

Services and CultureEase of access adds to the area’s

appeal. The intersections of Interstates95 and 26 aim straight for the city. TheCharleston International Airport, only30 minutes from downtown, offersmore than 100 flights a day from AirCanada, Continental, Delta,Northwestern, US Air and United. Sixprivate airports serve the region andthe city is a one day drive from mosteast coast cities. Amtrak has overnighttrains to Washington, D.C. and New York.

Education is alive in Charleston. Thearea is home to College of Charleston,the oldest institution of highereducation in the state, as well as thefamous Citadel, and Charleston SouthUniversity, the first church affiliateduniversity the area. In addition, thereare three schools that offer technicaland professional degrees. Continuingeducation is popular with newcomers

to the area, where classes attract thosewho wish to develop an old hobby intoa new profession.

Charleston is the coastal center formedical care and education. TheMedical University of South Carolina isthe oldest in the south and is located inhistoric downtown Charleston. It ranksamong the best in the country,according to the U.S. News and WorldReport. The region also boasts aprofessional health complex thatemploys 25,000 people, and 1,000health related businesses withspecialties that include eye, liver,cancer and burns. A helicoptertransportation service called Meducarecan deliver a patient anywhere within a200 mile radius of Charleston in 35minutes or less.

Charleston enjoys life at the warmeredges of the four seasons. Summers arewarm and breezy, temperatures in theeighties ( always with a breeze), andred and yellow maples plus red hollyberries take over fall decorating chores.Spring is a blaze of pink azaleas. Butthe warmest symbols of Charleston arethe dignity and graciousness of all itsresidents today. The reason? Nosurprise here. They all just loveCharleston.

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Dock Street Theatre and St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

View of Charleston, 1853

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Luxury Land and Homes, Inc. 111 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC


TO LIVE IN CHARLESTON IS TO

WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF

REVOLUTIONARY WAR HEROES, signersof the Declaration of Independence andauthors of the Constitution. Thebuildings bear their names Pinckneyand Heyward and Rhett and theirdescendants still live and work here.Charlestonians are quick to point outthat while other “colonial towns” maybe replicas, Charleston is the real thing,a city whose people and architecturehave survived through the ages andprevailed in the best and the worst of times.

Wealth and Fortune From the city’s earliest history,

Charleston has been a place manypeople wanted to move to, and few

wanted to leave. By the year 1700, theport city of Charlestown was a thrivingtrading center, which enticed a varietyof people with the promise of freedomof religion. Planters, tourists, and

traders all came to Charleston for funand profit, and they built their homeshere and stayed. Wealthy merchantsbuilt impressive homes along the city’snarrow streets. Plantation owners grew

Historic CharlestonKristine Cox

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the cash crops rice, indigo, and latercotton on the backs of slaves, anotherof the port’s lucrativeshipping trades. Bythe end of the 18thcentury, Charlestonwas well on its way tobecoming one of thewealthiest cities in thecolonies.

Many of city’searliest homes weremade of half timber,tabby (oyster shelland sand) and pinkBermuda stone(coquina shell). Withfire and stormsthreatening thestructures frequently, builderseventually turned to brick andimported stone. Many houses were twoor three stories, with the typicalCharleston “single house” only oneroom wide along the street. Piazzas andintricate ironwork wereadded and subtracted tovarious floors as years wentby. In some areas of the city,the ground floor was likelyto house business quarterssuch as a counting house,storefront or bakery. And inthe rear, support buildings,including kitchens, laundries,stables and slave quartersformed a courtyard.

A Proud RebirthDuring the Civil War,

Charleston endured 567consecutive days ofbombardment, the longest inhistory. The opulence thatonce distinguished the mostbeautiful city in the South was tatteredor destroyed, leaving the treasures ofthe city in the ash pit of history. But notfor long. Plans for restoration werenever far from the minds of trueCharlestonians. After the turn of the20th century, many sought to reclaim

the city’s former glory, and an arduousprocess of rebirth began. The result of

this passion toreclaim the pastresulted in the birthof the “urban resort”that is Charlestontoday.

With morearchitecturallysignificant 18th and19th centurybuildings than anyother city in America,the city glows in theglory of its collectionof gracious housesand imposing civicstructures. Fine

examples of Georgian, Federal, andGreek Revival architecture are carefullymaintained and proudly shared.

Charleston TodayBut downtown Charleston represents

the best of many worlds with the Portof Charleston at the heart of its post wareconomy. It is a city alive with culture,fine dining, and worldly residents.Shopping, which is within walkingdistance of many of the best addresses,includes browsing the famed King Street

Antiques District; discovering the latestnew works in one of the many artgalleries; and trying on the latestfashions from New York and Paris.

Downtown real estate melds theSouthern aristocratic life of yesterdaywith the convenience of today in aperfect fit for a variety of lifestyles. Twoto three story mansions with 11 footceilings may feature colossal designedfor entertaining kitchens, secret gardens,and private porches. You will findcarriage houses and other outbuildingstransformed into mother in law suites orstand alone separate properties.Charleston also offers a plenitude ofother distinguished residents, fromcharming brick carriages tocontemporary condos strung along thesparkling waterfront, some with viewsof Waterfront Park or Ashley River’slatest private marina.

Charleston is many things to manypeople; a place where resort living issynonymous with urban living; where

the past and present are alivesimultaneously. With its unique urbanresort lifestyle, Charleston is still theplace that many want to come to andfew want to leave.

Charleston’s Historic Homes

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From the city’s

earliest history,

Charleston has been

a place many people

wanted to move to,

and few wanted

to leave.



Copyright 2003 Circumerro Inc. All rights reserved, no unauthorized reproduction, please contact Circumerro if you want to reproduce the map in any way. (843) 364 3227

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FOR OVER TWO CENTURIES,

CHARLESTON HAS BEEN CALLED “THE

HEART OF THE OLD SOUTH.” Locatedwhere the Cooper River and the AshleyRiver flow together into CharlestonHarbor, Charleston combines naturalbeauty with history, charm and style.Today, the peninsular city is the veryheart of a thriving multi facetedcommunity; a place where the range oflifestyles and home styles is as varied asyou will find anywhere in the country.From beachfront to historic magnificenceto privacy and seclusion, the choice oflifestyle is yours in this lowcountryparadise.

The Barrier Islands South of Charleston

Folly Beach, close to Charleston, isoften described as “a little more laidback.” If there is a wave breaking alongCharleston’s shore, it is likely to be atFolly, and this translates into a relaxed

and casual attitude amongst itsresidents. The island is long and narrow(about three streets wide) with manyolder, more rustic cottages lining thewaterfront and near waterfront. Somelive in working artists stay there, and a

number of paths provide public access tothe beach.

In contrast to Folly’s “surf’s up” styleis Kiawah Island, its immediateneighbor to the south. Kiawah is animmaculately developed resort islandwith houses set back 200 feet from thehigh tide line, and where each residencemerges tastefully with an immaculateenvironment. Kiawah boasts more than10,000 acres of maritime forest and 10miles of private pristine beach, but thisbarrier island is probably best known forits five world class golf courses.

Slightly more private lays SeabrookIsland next door, which is ownedexclusively by its property owners.Seabrook residents enjoy three miles ofmagnificent sandy beach, and the islandis one of only a handful of places on theentire East Coast where horseback ridingalong the shoreline is permitted.Everything from villas overlooking theisland’s top ranked golf courses, to

Charleston and Coastal Real EstateKristine Cox

Charleston Waterfront and Harbor

HistoricDistrict Home

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CHARLESTON COMMUNITY PROFILE 99T f H

majestic beachfront homes, can be foundat Seabrook.

Farther south, the fertile grounds ofEdisto Beach give rise to fossilizedsharks’ teeth and petrified bones fromlong extinct sea animals. Beach homeshere range from weathered cottages tonewer, larger homes. Antebellumestates, dating back to when Sea Islandcotton brought great wealth to Edisto,also sprinkle the area.

East and West of CharlestonOn the other side of the Ashley River

from downtown Charleston is an areareferred to as West Ashley. Here, oldertraditional neighborhoods of charmingbrick bungalows combine with aburgeoning number of newcommunities. Southward, West Ashleyspills into a string of interior islands,each with its own personality and set ofattributes. From James Island, a bustlingfamily community, to John’s Island,where majestic estate homes subtly dotthe shores; to Wadmalaw Island, thearea’s most rural and least developed,the lifestyle options are innumerable.

Just east of the Cooper River fromdowntown Charleston sits the town ofMount Pleasant, a growing city with oldfashioned hometown character.Beginning with the OldVillage, the town’soriginal neighborhood,Mount Pleasant hasliterally exploded tothe east, with dozens ofneighborhoodspopping up over thelast decade toaccommodate thegrowing number offamilies desirous of theMount Pleasant way oflife. The town’sawarding winningI’On, which brokeground in June of 1997, was the first inthe area to adopt the return to thetraditional neighborhood design,including streets lined with sidewalks, aclose proximity of homes to each other,

and easy access to conveniences such asshopping.

The Barrier IslandsNorth of Charleston

Tracing the coastline north, justminutes from Mount Pleasant, lieSullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms andDewees Island. The pace on Sullivan’sIsland is slow, slower and slowest.Children ride their bikes in the streets,and play untilsundown at thecommunity park.Beach cottagesbuilt in the early1900s mingle withthe current daytwo or three storybeachfront homes,making the “look”of Sullivan’sdistinctive inthe area.

Just acrossBreach Inlet fromSullivan’s, the Isle of Palms is home toone of the Lowcountry’s first resorts.Wild Dunes has plenty to offer,including two and one half miles ofprivate beach, a “Top 50” tennis center,20 swimming pools, great restaurants, a

fitness center, fullservice conferencefacilities and amagnificent oceanfrontGrand Pavilion. Theresort also features afull service marina andtwo Tom Faziodesigned golf courses.

To the north, privacyand seclusion are attheir most extreme atDewees Island, whereaccess is by boat only.Dewees Island attractsan exclusive set of home

buyers, who believe the goals ofenvironmental awareness and comfortcan be complementary. Homes sit onlots that average about two acres, andcannot be larger than 5,000 square feet.

Dewees residents immerse themselves innature and ecologically friendly familyactivities.

The area’s newest and fastest growingcommunity is Daniel Island. Located on4,000 acres along Interstate 526, DanielIsland is home to a number of distinctiveneighborhoods which feature a mixtureof home styles and prices. Traditionallandscaped streets lined with sidewalksencourage evening walks and interaction

among neighbors. The island is home tothe Family Circle Tennis Tournament andBlackbaud Stadium, home field of thearea’s own A League soccer team, theCharleston Battery.

Authentic CharlestonThroughout the Charleston

Lowcountry, the housing market isrobust, with people buying retirementhomes, vacation homes and investmenthomes in various combinations.Nowhere is early colonial historysurrounded by so much clean air andwater, and so many modernconveniences. It is a place where the artsare revered, cultural activities abound,and the medical facilities are among thebest in the Southeast. It is an oceanfrontresort close to a most fascinating city,and an urban resort surrounded by amost beautiful waterfront. All set in asemi tropical climate which offers thebest of the seasons. And all the result ofvery real natural and historical forces,authentic to the core.

It is an oceanfront

resort close to a

most fascinating

city, and an urban

resort surrounded

by a most beautiful

waterfront.

Seabrook Island

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1 2 3 4 5Copyright 2003 Circumerro Inc. All rights reserved, no unauthorized reproduction, please contact Circumerro if you want to reproduce the map in any way. (843) 364-3227

Downtown Charleston Map

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LocationDistance to major cities from Charleston:Atlanta, GA ..........................................291 milesChicago, IL............................................906 milesMiami, FL..............................................590 milesNew York, NY......................................768 milesWashington, D.C. ................................532 miles

TransportationHighways3 Interstate ..........................U.S. I 26, I 526, I 955 U.S. Primary Highways ................................17, 52, 78, 176, 70117 S.C. Primary Highways

RailroadAmtrak..........................................(800) 872 72454565 Gaynor Avenue, North Charleston

PortThe Port of Charleston is the second largestcontainer port on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

AirCharleston International Airport offersapproximately 100 flights per day and isserviced by Continental, Delta, UnitedExpress, US Airways, Northwest and AirCanada. Six private airports throughout theregion accommodate corporate and privateaircraft.

Bus CARTA (Charleston Area RegionalTransportation Authority) ..........(843) 747 0922

Greyhound...................................(843) 747 53413610 Dorchester Road, North Charleston

HealthcareBon Secours St. Francis Xavier Hospital ...........................(843) 402 1000Charleston Memorial Hospital ...(843) 577 0600East Cooper Regional Medical Center ................................(843) 881 0100Medical University of South Carolina..............................(843) 792 2300

Roper Hospital ............................(843) 724 2000Summerville Medical Center ....(843) 832 5000Trident Medical Center..............(843) 797 7000U.S. Navel Hospital ....................(843) 743 7000U.S. Veterans Administration Medical Center ............................(843) 577 5011

Specialty Health ServicesPalmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health ...........................................(843) 747 5830Health South Rehabilitation Hospital .................(843) 820 7777Ronald McDonald House ..........(843) 723 7957Medical University of South CarolinaAlbert Florence Storm Memorial Eye Institute .................................(843) 792 8100Transplant Center .......................(843) 792 5097Children’s Hospital ....................(843) 792 1414Hollings Cancer Center..............(843) 792 9300Strom Thurmond Biomedical Research Center & Gazes Cardiac Research Institute........................(843) 792 2300

EducationPublic Primary & Secondary SchoolsBerkeley County SchoolDistrict ..........................................(843) 723 4627www.berkeley.kl2.sc.usNumber of Students: ................................26,957Number of Schools: .........................................35Student/Teacher Ratio: ................................16:1

Charleston County School District .............................(843) 937 6300www.charleston.kl2.sc.usNumber of Students: ................................44,481Number of Schools: .........................................78Student/Teacher Ratio: ................................16:1

Dorchester II School District .....(843) 873 2901www.dorchester2.kl2.sc.usNumber of Students: ................................15,707Number of Schools: .........................................16Student/Teacher Ratio: ................................18:1

Dorchester LV School District...(843) 563 4535www.dorchester.k4.12.sc.usNumber of Students: ..................................2,549Number of Schools: ...........................................7Student/Teacher Ratio: ................................16:1

Private SchoolsNearly 100 private and parochial schoolsserve the Charleston area. For information:

South Carolina Independent School Association ......................(803) 736 0346www.scisa.org

Colleges/UniversitiesCharleston Southern University.(843) 863 7000www.csuniv.edu

The Citadel...................................(843) 953 5000www.citadel.edu

College of Charleston/University of Charleston............(843) 953 5507www.cofc.edu

Johnson & Whales University...(843) 727 3000www.jwu.edu

Limestone College ......................(843) 745 1100

Medical University of South Carolina ..............................(843) 792 2300www.musc.edu

Miller Motte Technical College ........................(843) 574 0101

Trident Technical College..........(843) 574 6111www.trident.tec.sc.us

Webster University .....................(843) 572 2675www.webster.edu

TaxesPersonal Income TaxSouth Carolina has a tiered indexed personalincome tax. Visit www.sctax.org for the latesttax tables and other information.

Property TaxSouth Carolina has no state property tax. Realand personal property taxes are levied bylocal taxing authorities (real at 4% or 6% andpersonal at 10.5%)

Sales TaxBerkeley & Charleston Counties: 6%Dorchester County: 5%New York, Charleston and Savannah are a fewof the destinations that can be accessed by train.

Helpful NumbersBusiness ResourcesMinority Business Development Center ...................(843) 937 0011Small Business Development Center ...................(843) 740 6160S.C.O.R.E. (Small Business Admin’s ServiceCorps of Retired Executives)......(843) 727 4778

Cable TelevisionComcast Cable ..............................(843) 554 4100Daniel Island Media Company...(888) 249 4985Knology .........................................(843) 225 1000Time Warner Cable......................(843) 871 7000U.S. Cable ......................................(843) 559 2424

Chamber of CommerceBerkeley County Chamber of Commerce.............. (843) 577 9549

ClimateAverage Daily Temperature:High 76º FLow 56º F

Average Annual Rainfall:52 inches

Elevation:0 to 80 ft. above mean sea level

Average Humidity: 86%


Charleston Community Profile


Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce...............(843) 577 2510Greater Sommerville/Dorchester CountyChamber of Commerce...............(843) 873 2931

Community ServicesAmerican Red Cross, Lowcountry Chapter ...................(843) 852 2910Area Agency on Aging/Elderlink Inc..................................(843) 745 1710HOTLINE Crisis Counseling......................(843) 744 HELP, or (800) 922 2283The Community Foundation .....(843) 723 3635Trident United Way ................... (843) 723 3635Volunteer Center of the Lowcountry.................................. (843) 744 3920

Electricity & GasSouth Carolina Electric & Gas Company(SCE&G) .......................................(843) 554 7234

Berkeley Electric Co op.............. (843) 572 5454Santee Cooper.............................. (843) 761 8000Edisto Electric Co op.................. (843) 563 3292

LibrariesBerkeley CountyPublic Library .............................. (843) 723 3800Charleston County Public Library............................. (843) 805+6930Dorchester Public Library ........ (843) 871 5075

RecreationCharleston County Parks & Rec.................................. (843) 762 2172City of Charleston Dept. of Rec...................................(843) 724 7327Goose Creek Rec Commission ................................. (843) 572 1321Hanahan Rec Dept.......................(843) 529 3411Isle of Palms Rec Dept ............... (843) 886 8294

Moncks Corner Rec Dept .......... (843) 761 6650Mt. Pleasant Rec Dept. ............... (843) 884 2528North Charleston Rec Dept....... (843) 740 2699Summerville Parks & Playgrounds................................. (843) 871 6000

Recycling Berkeley County Recycling & Solid Waste .............................. (843) 723 3800Charleston County Recycling ...................................... (843) 720 7111Dorchester County Recycling & Solid Waste ...............................(843) 832 0070

TelephoneBellSouth....................................... (843) 780 2355ITC Delta Com............................. (843) 576 3400KMC Telecom ..............................(843) 277 1000NewSouth Communications......(843) 554 1328Staples Communications ............(843) 740 6699


Charleston Community Profile

C H A R L E S T O N R E G I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T A L L I A N C E

REQUEST ADDITIONAL INFORMATION For more information about the Charleston region, please contact David Ginn, President and CEO, Charleston Regional Development Alliance. Charleston Regional Development Alliance Trident Research Center 5300 International Blvd., Suite 103A N. Charleston, SC 29418 P | 843-767-9300 F | 843-760-4535 [email protected] charleston-for-business.com All statistical references to “metropolitan area” include the counties of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester in South Carolina.

1

R E S I D E N T I A L C O M M U N I T I E S

The Charleston region encom-passes nearly 3,200 square miles (8,200 square kilometers), about two and one-half times as large as the state of Rhode Island. Residential areas are spread throughout the region’s three counties, offering a wide array of living options. The growing demand for hous-ing has spawned a number of new residential opportunities, and most price ranges are well represented. From rural to urban, beachside to lakeside, you’ll find it all in the Charleston region.

Daniel Island www.danielisland.com

Daniel Island is a 4,000-acre master-planned community conveniently located just minutes from historic downtown Charleston and the beaches of Sullivan’s Island and the Isle of Palms. Daniel Island features more than 20 miles of rivers and creeks, neighborhood and private docks for fishing, boating, and swim-ming. It also boasts more than 400 acres of parks and is home to the private Daniel Island Club and its new Tom Fazio golf course, as well as the Family Circle Cup women’s tennis tournament. Much of the island is contained within the city limits of Charleston.



2

RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES, CON’T.

Folly Beach www.cityoffollybeach.com

Located just 15 minutes from historic downtown Charleston, Folly Beach is the area’s original beach town. Folly was once a vacation resort but is now an incorporated community of over 2,000 year-round residents. Touted as “the Edge of America,” Folly Beach offers an ocean-side location with a large dose

of individualism. With its excellent restaurants, fishing pier, shops, vintage beach cottages, fine homes, condominiums and laid back attitude, Folly Beach has become a favorite spot for tourists and locals alike.

Goose Creek www.cityofgoosecreek.com

Goose Creek is the largest town in Berkeley County and has a population approaching 30,000. Its planned developments have become the model for new single-family homes in the Metro region, offering amenities from private boat docks to bicycle and jogging paths. The community offers numerous parks, tennis courts, ball fields and a country club.

Hanahan www.bcoc.com

Located in the southern part of Berkeley County, Hanahan is a popular residential area, offer-

ing a wide selection of homes and apartments. Approximately 13,000 residents now live in the

town, which has easy access to all the amenities of the Charleston Metro area.

Isle of Palms www.iop.net

The approximately 4,500 residents of the Isle of Palms enjoy a beautiful seven-mile white beach, two world-class championship golf courses and tennis at Wild Dunes, a marina, restaurants, shops and fishing. With the opening of the Isle of Palms connector in 1994, islanders found themselves directly connected to Mt. Pleasant. This has provided much easier access to other areas of the region.

Isle of Palms Marina



3


James Island www.townofjamesislandsc.org

James Island is a growing suburb of Charleston, with housing options ranging from comfort-able older neighborhoods to fresh, newly developed areas. Streets and avenues lined with gi-ant, moss-laden oak trees dominate the landscape. The Ashley and Stono Rivers border the island and make for great waterfront living and dining. James Island is just minutes from both Folly Beach and downtown Charleston, which explains the island’s popularity. The James Is-land County Park is a scenic 640-acre park with boardwalks, miles of paved paths, a fishing/crabbing dock, walking trails, 12 acres of meadow, 16 acres of lagoons, an expansive playground area, picnic sites and a campground.

Johns Island charlestoncounty.org

Johns Island, adjacent to Kiawah and Seabrook islands, is still semi-rural in nature, but a grow-ing number of residential communities are under development along parts of its waterfront. Some of the best values in deepwater lots and large tracts of land are found on Johns Island today. The island is home to many of the purveyors who supply fresh produce, herbs and flow-ers to Charleston's restaurants and markets. Residents on or near Johns Island have access to the freshest fruits and vegetables in the region, sold at roadside stands and farmers markets throughout Charleston's long growing season.

Kiawah Island www.kiawahisland.org

Kiawah Island is a 10,000-acre island with 10 miles of undisturbed Atlantic beach bordered by protective sand dunes. Wildlife abounds on the island, includ-ing more than 140 species of birds. More than 1,000 residents live at Kiawah, which is an easy 30-minute drive from Charleston. The island is a private com-munity with access limited to property owners and guests. Championship golf, superb tennis facilities and fine specialty shops distinguish the island. Beachwalker County Park, on the west end of the island, is open to the public.



4


Mt. Pleasant www.townofmountpleasant.com

Founded in 1680, Mt. Pleasant played a pivotal role in both the area’s and nation’s history. Once a summertime haven for penin-sula residents, today’s Mt. Pleasant is the perfect combination of preservation and progress. With over 47,000 residents, Mt. Pleas-ant is now the sixth largest city in South Carolina.

The Old Village is considered the heart of the town, and contains homes dating to the early 1800s. Quaint retail shops and excellent

restaurants are located near the Old Village and on Shem Creek. Residents may also enjoy the outdoors by taking advantage of the many parks, plantations and golf courses in the area.

Moncks Corner www.bcoc.com

Moncks Corner is the county seat of Berkeley County. With approximately 6,000 residents, Moncks Corner offers small town charm with the amenities of Greater Charleston close by. Lake Moultrie, a 60,400-acre man-made lake, offers excellent fishing, water skiing, sailing, div-ing and swimming opportunities. The lake has 35 boat landings and 14 camping areas, and provides access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean via the Cooper River.

North Charleston www.northcharleston.org

The city of North Charleston is the largest in the north area of the region. Originally a suburb of Charleston, it has now grown into a flourishing city of nearly 80,000 people. Incorporated in 1972, the city has become the third largest municipality in South Carolina. North Charles-ton’s central location and transportation facilities have made the city increasingly important as a business and transportation center. The Charleston International Airport, Amtrak Station, and some port facilities are all located there, as well as the Convention Center and North Charleston Coliseum. North Charleston’s outdoor activities and amenities include nearby Francis Beidler Forest, a 3,000-acre sanctuary for plant and animal life, containing the world’s largest remaining virgin stand of bald cypress and tupelo trees. Water access for recreational boating and fishing is available on the Ashley and Cooper rivers.



5

RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES CON’T.

Peninsular Charleston www.ci.charleston.sc.us

Charleston is one of America's most beau-tifully preserved cities, with a rich 300-year heritage. “A living museum,” the city con-tains more than 3,500 historic homes and buildings dating from the 1690s. While thousands of visitors enjoy the historic dis-trict each year, residents also enjoy playing “tourist” in their own town. Stores, restaurants, shops and offices are within easy strolling or biking distance from many of the residential areas of the Peninsula. Charleston’s signature housing type is the “single house” — a narrow, street-hugging house with side piazzas. There are many other options, how-ever, from marshfront condominiums to studio apartments to more conventional homes.

Seabrook Island www.townofseabrookisland.org

Seabrook Island is a distinctive resort and residential community completely owned by its property owners. The island has just over 1,200 permanent residents whose homes are situ-ated along the beach, marshes, lakes and golf courses. Sound environmental planning and strict architectural guidelines work together to create an atmosphere of comfortable homes nestled in natural settings of palmettos, oaks, magnolias, pins and myrtles. Championship golf, tennis courts in a racquet club setting, restaurants and shops are all located on the island. Seabrook’s equestrian center is home to the annual Charleston Summer Classic Horse Show. Nearby Bohicket Marina has 300 slips available for all sizes of motor cruisers and sailing boats.

Sullivan’s Island

www.sullivansisland.com

With a population of less than 2,000, Sulli-van’s Island offers a serene old-beach atmos-phere with restaurants and pubs lining the main road. This three-mile long island fea-tures quiet residential neighborhoods with commercial development restricted to a three-block area. Access to the beautiful beach is found at the end of each street.


LUXURY LAND & HOMES, INC. REQUEST ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - Visit our officelocated at 111 East Bay Street just south of Broad or call us Toll-Free1-866-957-9100 Eve Olasov, [email protected] For more information about the Charleston region, please contact David Ginn, President and CEO, Charleston Regional Development Alliance. Charleston Regional Development Alliance Trident Research Center 5300 International Blvd., Suite 103A N. Charleston, SC 29418 P | 843-767-9300 F | 843-760-4535 [email protected] charleston-for-business.com

6

RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES CON’T.

Summerville www.awod.com/gallery/sville

www.gsdcchamber.org/ourcommunity/index.html

Summerville, Dorchester County’s largest city, is known for its simple charm, natural beauty, community spirit and historic past. With a population of nearly 28,000, Summerville boasts beautiful moss-draped streets and Victo-rian homes mixed with progressive new devel-opment. Other attributes include affordable housing options, a quality educational system, convenience to the city of Charleston and a variety of recreational opportunities. Freshwater lakes, rivers and coastal saltwater areas offer boating, fishing and water sports activities. Givhans Ferry State Park, Old Fort Dorchester State Park, Cypress Gardens, Old Santee Ca-nal State Park and the Francis Beidler Forest are all havens for nature lovers. Each spring, Summerville hosts the Flowertown Festival, which brings in more than 200,000 visitors and residents to enjoy the town’s multitude of azaleas and dogwood trees in full bloom.

St. George www.dorchestercounty.net

Known as the "Town of Friendly People," St. George is a picture perfect setting for a small, rural southern town. A strong sense of family and religion has characterized St. George since its inception. Currently, around 2,000 residents call St. George home. Natural resources pro-vide residents with some of the best hunting and fishing around. Located near Lakes Marion and Moultrie, and the Four Hole Swamp, the area has easy access to numerous recreation op-portunities, including the Francis Beidler Forest and Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail.

West of the Ashley www.ci.charleston.sc.us

A suburb area of Peninsular Charleston, West Ashley has continued to prosper since the 1950s. Its luxury apartments, 1960s-era neighborhoods, country club communities and newly established neighborhoods provide a variety of living options. The area is not only convenient to downtown Charleston, but also to dozens of restaurants, businesses and shopping facilities. Much of West Ashley falls within the city limits of Charleston.

Sources: Welcome (2002 Guide for New Residents to the Charleston Metro Area); Guide to

Greater Charleston South Carolina; U.S. Census Bureau, S.C. State Data Center

Higher Education

H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

Proximity to University Research

The Charleston region is within reasonable proximity to several top-tier research universities, including those in Atlanta and Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill (RTP). The state of South Carolina is also home to three universi-ties with highly respected, growing research programs:

• Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Charleston, S.C. www.musc.edu Research funding fiscal ’05-’06: $190 million

• Clemson University Clemson, S.C. www.clemson.edu Research funding fiscal ’05-’06: $136 million

• University of South Carolina Columbia, S.C. www.sc.edu Research funding fiscal ’05-’06: $173 million

Area Colleges & Universities

With more than a dozen campuses region wide, residents and businesses have access to a range of educational opportunities, from the liberal arts to the biological sciences. Each year, more than 36,700 students take advantage of the region’s comprehensive mix of higher education options. Enrollment figures for fall 2006 were: Enrollment Enrollment The Citadel 3,306 Webster University 600 College of Charleston 11,218 Miller-Motte Technical College 528 Medical University of South Carolina 2,498 Limestone College 500 Trident Technical College 11,808 Strayer University N/A Lowcountry Graduate Center 273 Charleston School of Law 600

Charleston Southern University 3,135 Art Institute of Charleston N/A Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 342 American College of the Building Arts 25 In addition to the graduates from local colleges and universities, the Charleston region is a destination of choice for many graduates of Clemson University (approximately 200 miles away) and the University of South Carolina at Columbia (approximately 100 miles away).

Charleston South Carolina charlestoneconomicdevelopment.com

Data Source

4/07 Center for Business Research Charleston Metro

Chamber of Commerce

L I F E S T Y L E

Climate

The climate of the Charleston region is considered “temperate to sub-tropical.” On average, the region enjoys 230 days of sunshine each year, and the average growing season lasts 294 days. Latitude 32° 54' N Longitude 80° 02' W Average Daily Temperature 65.3° F; 18.5° C Average Daily High 75.9° F; 24.4° C Average Daily Low 54.7° F; 12.6° C Average Days with Sunshine 63% Average Precipitation 51.53"; 130.89 cm Average Relative Humidity 86% Monthly Averages Charleston INTL Airport Relative Precipitation Precipitation Temp (°F) Temp (°C) Humidity (inches) (centimeters)

January 48 9 70% 4.08 10.36 February 51 11 67% 3.08 7.82 March 58 14 68% 4.00 10.16 April 64 18 68% 2.77 7.04 May 72 22 72% 3.67 9.32 June 78 26 75% 5.92 15.04 July 82 28 77% 6.13 15.57 August 80 27 79% 6.91 17.55 September 76 24 78% 5.98 15.19 October 66 19 74% 3.09 7.85 November 58 14 73% 2.66 6.76 December 50 10 72% 3.24 8.23

Data Sources

www.weather.com www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/

ncdc.html

Seasonal Conditions

Spring — In the Charleston region, the spring season is the most spectacular time of the year. From early March into early June, azaleas, dogwoods and other spring garden flowers bloom in abundance. Average springtime temperatures range from 58° F (14.4° C) to 72° F (22.2° C).

Summer — Summers in the Charleston region are warm and humid. Average daily tempera-tures range from 78° F (25.6° C) to 82° F (27.8° C), with daily highs averaging between 87° F (30.6° C) to 91° F (32.8° C). Although warm in the summer, temperatures rarely rise above 100° F (37.8° C). The area’s coastal location results in a cooling effect, which often helps keep temperatures several degrees cooler than those inland. Summer is the area’s wettest season, with 41% of total rainfall occurring during this period. However, cooling afternoon showers or thunderstorms are responsible for much of this rain.

Autumn — From the start of autumn in late September continuing into early November, the weather is typically sunny and temperature extremes are rare. Pre-winter cold spells generally occur by late November. In September, tempera-tures average 76° F (24.4° C). By November, the average daily temperature has fallen to 58° F (14.4° C).

Winter — Winter in the Charleston region starts in December and runs through February. The winter season is typi-cally mild, with periods of rain and a slight chance of snow flurries in late December and early January. Daily tempera-tures average between 47° F (8.3° C) and 52° F (11.1° C). The region generally experiences its first freeze in early December, with the last freeze in late February. Temperatures of 20° F (6.7° C) or less rarely occur.

A year-round attitude is reflected in the

Charleston lifestyle, from oyster roasts

in late January to flower festivals in early April.

Lifestyle 1 Charleston South Carolina charlestoneconomicdevelopment.com

Cost of Living

The Charleston region is below the national average in the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association (ACCRA) quarterly cost of living index. This survey compares the relative cost of living for middle-management house-holds among U.S. metropolitan areas and cities. Six major expenditures are considered, including grocery items, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services. In all, the costs associated with 57 items are surveyed, with 100 being the baseline average for all communities.

ACCRA Cost of Living Comparisons (4th quarter 2006)

All Items Index

Asheville NC 101.2 Atlanta GA 95.6 Boston MA 134.5 CHARLESTON SC 98.1 Charlotte NC 92.7 Columbia SC 91.8 Hilton Head SC 107.4 Huntsville AL 91.6 Jacksonville FL 97.7 Memphis TN 92.8 New York NY (Manhattan) 214.7 Philadelphia PA 125.6 Raleigh NC 99.1 Richmond VA 108.3 San Jose CA 151.0 Washington DC 138.8

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Lifestyle Amenities

• Over 91 miles of beaches

• 2,000+ historic structures

• Acres of freshwater lakes and rivers

• More than 160 parks

• More than 40 golf courses

• 11 major tennis facilities

• Professional tennis, soc-cer, baseball and hockey

• World-class symphony and ballet company

• Several stage companies

• Numerous museums and art galleries

• Spoleto Festival USA

• MOJA Arts Festival

• Southeastern Wildlife Exposition

• Charleston Food & Wine Festival

Arts & Recreation

For more than a decade, Charleston has been named one of the top 10 travel destinations in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler “Reader’s Choice Poll.” This thriving visitor industry helps to sustain a world-class array of restaurants, shops and recreational and cultural amenities rarely found in markets our size. Area businesses benefit

from these amenities in many ways, from client entertainment to employee recruitment.

Charleston area residents actively support the performing and visual arts – including a world-class symphony orchestra, a ballet company, several stage companies, a num-ber of museums and a growing base of art galleries. In fact, AmericanStyle magazine lists the Charleston area as one of the Top 10 Art Destinations in the United States. Perhaps the area’s most famous arts event is the annual Spoleto Festival USA, a 17-day international tribute to the arts featuring an eclectic mix of visual and performing arts performed at venues throughout the region.

For the outdoors enthusiast, acres of freshwater lakes, a large national forest, miles of beaches and 160 parks provide the perfect setting for numerous outdoor activities, in-cluding sailing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, hunting, windsurfing and water skiing.

Lifestyle 3 Charleston South Carolina charlestoneconomicdevelopment.com

Location & Accessibility 1

Geography

Location

• The Charleston region of South Carolina is comprised of three counties – Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester.

• The region is situated about halfway between Washington D.C. and Miami, each about 500 miles (800 km) away.

L O C AT I O N & A C C E S S I B I L I T Y

From a geographic perspective, Charleston is strategically located for companies engaged in global commerce.

With its long coastline, the Charleston region features a large number of rivers and other tributaries, as well

as freshwater lakes and salt marshes. Water is a common feature throughout the region.

Land and Water Area

Berkeley County 1,229.23 sq. miles 3,184 km2 Charleston County 1,357.14 sq. miles 3,515 km2 Dorchester County 576.74 sq. miles 1,494 km2 Charleston Region 3,163.11 sq. miles 8,192 km2

With an integrated highway system, a growing international airport, and the most productive container port in the United States, businesses located in the Charleston region find highly efficient access to the marketplace — by land, by air and by sea.

Efficient Highway Network

The Charleston region is efficiently served by a number of major, well-connected roadways:

• 3 Interstate highways: I-26 (east/west), I-95 (north/south); I-526 (perimeter east/west)

• 3 major U.S. highways • 7 major state highways

• The region stretches along the south-central South Carolina coast.

• Includes over 90 miles (145 km) of Atlantic coastline.

• Reaches 50 miles (80 km) inland toward the intersection of Interstate highways 26 and 95.


Location & Accessibility 2

Executive Airports

The Charleston region has six executive airports to ac-commodate personal and corporate aircraft.

1. Berkeley County Airport

2. Corporate Wings

3. Dorchester County Airport — Summerville

4. Dorchester County Airport — St. George

5. Faison Field

6. Mercury Air Center

Sample highway mileage/estimated travel time at 65 mph (104.6 km/h):

• Charlotte, NC 209 miles (336 km) 3 hours, 13 minutes • Raleigh, NC 280 miles (451 km) 4 hours, 19 minutes • Atlanta, GA 320 miles (515 km) 4 hours, 55 minutes • Knoxville, TN 371 miles (597 km) 5 hours, 42 minutes • Washington, DC 448 miles (721 km) 6 hours, 54 minutes • Miami, FL 491 miles (790 km) 7 hours, 33 minutes • New York, NY 635 miles (1,022 km) 9 hours, 46 minutes • Memphis, TN 713 miles (1,147 km) 10 hours, 58 minutes • Indianapolis, IN 726 miles (1,168 km) 11 hours, 10 minutes • Chicago, IL 909 miles (1,436 km) 13 hours, 59 minutes

Land Transportation

Interstate Connections

The primary interstate highway artery into and out of Charleston is I-26. Interstate highways I-95, I-77, I-20, I-85 and I-40 are all directly linked to Charleston via I-26. Motor Freight Service

200+ trucking firms serve the region. Rail Service

• CSX and Norfolk Southern both operate large, well-equipped rail yards in Charleston

• Daily express services inbound/outbound • Double stack trains • Exceptionally high and wide rail clearances

Air Transportation

Charleston International Airport

• Daily flights have increased more than 68% in the past seven years.

• Centrally located from anywhere in the region, with easy access from I-26 and I-526.

• Served by seven airlines: - American Eagle - Delta Airlines - United Express - AirTran - Continental Airlines - Northwest Airlines - US Airways

• Handles 100+ daily flights with non-stop service to/from: - Atlanta - Detroit - Orlando - Boston - Houston - Philadelphia - Charlotte - Minneapolis/St. Paul - Raleigh/Durham - Chicago - Memphis - Washington/Dulles - Cincinnati - Newark - Washington/National - Dallas/Ft. Worth - New York/LaGuardia

• To access the Charleston International Airport flight schedule, including all arrivals and departures, please visit www.chs-airport.com/airlines.htm.

• Air cargo volume is also increasing at Charleston International, with efforts under-way to further develop international air cargo service.


Demographics

Population Growth

1990 2000 2006 % Change 2010 Census Census Estimate 2000 - 2006 Forecast

Charleston MSA 506,875 549,033 603,178 9.9% 623,680 Berkeley County 128,776 142,651 152,282 6.8% 162,370 Charleston County 295,039 309,969 331,917 7.1% 339,140 Dorchester County 83,060 96,413 118,979 23.4% 122,170

P O P U L AT I O N C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S

Charleston Metro Area Population

375,000

425,000

475,000

525,000

575,000

625,000

675,000

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Thousands Age Distribution (2005)

Age 0-19 27.8% Age 20-34 21.4% Age 35-54 29.2% Age 55+ 21.5% Median age — 35.4

Racial Composition (2005)

White 65.9% Black 29.8% Other 2.5% Asian 1.8%

Hispanic or 2.9% Latino (of any race) Population by Gender (2005)

Males 48.2% Females 51.8%

Based on the 2000 census and

2006 population estimate, an average of 25 new

people are added to the Charleston region each day.

Household Income

2005 Averages

Number of households 227,377 Median household income $45,269 Average household income $57,711 Households with income $25,000 – $49,999 28.6% Households with income $50,000 – $99,999 30.2% Households with income over $100,000 14.4%

Educational Attainment

In 2005, 87% of area residents age 25 and over held a high school diploma or the equivalent, and 29% held a bachelor’s or advanced degree.

Some High School or Less

13.1%

Bachelor’s Degree 18.7%

Graduate or Professional Degree

9.9%

High School Diploma or Equivalency

28.9%

Educational Attainment (2005)

Data Sources

04/07 U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey

Associate Degree 8.3%

Some College 21.1%

Population Characteristics Charleston South Carolina charlestoneconomicdevelopment.com

Buyer

Luxury Land and Homes, Inc.PROVIDED TO YOU BY

INFORMATION BOOKLET

This booklet was created to help our clients understand the Real Estate Buying Process.It is designed to help you make informed decisions and to make your property purchaseeasy and enjoyable.

©2006 Luxury Land and Homes, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity.Office is independently owned and operated.

Tips for Selecting a Realtor

more important than the firm you choose to represent you.

The job of a Sales Associate is to support you in finding the right property with the best possible terms, and to aid you through the entire process. As your Sales Associate, I will explain the process of buying real estate, and familiarize you with the various activities, documents and procedures that you will encounterthroughout the transactions.

Your Real Estate Professional should be:• Knowledgeable about the communities of interest to you • Aware of the complicated local and state requirements affecting your

transaction• Effective in multi-party and face-to-face negotiations • Highly trained with access to programs for continued education and

additional certifications• Technology focused• Assisted by a fully-staffed marketing department

Financing

Most real estate professionals and mortgage lenders recommendpre-qualifying for a loan before selecting a proper ty to purchase. you:

• Determine the price range you can afford• Understand the types of loans you qualify for• Determine what your monthly payment will be• Estimate the down payment and closing costs

Of all the decisions you make when deciding to purchase real estate there is none

®

The Loan ProcessYour Sales Associate will help you to select a mortgage lender. Once you

have made your decision, these are the steps in the process:

• Application – All pertinent documentation is obtained. Fees and down payments are discussed; the borrower will receive a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and a Truth-in-Lending (TIL) itemizing the rates and associated costs for the loan.

• Documentation – If not already completed in the pre-qualification stage,your Sales Associate will order all necessary supporting documentation.Once inspections are completed, your lender will order an appraisal on the property. Your Sales Associate will order the title commitment and surveyif required. As it comes in, documentation is checked for any irregularities.

• Loan Submission – Once all the necessary documentation is in, your completed file is submitted to an underwriter for final approval.

• Loan Approval (Underwriting) – Loan approval, or underwriting, generally takes 24 to 72 hours. All parties are notified of the approval and any loan conditions that must be received before the loan can close.

• Closing – Once all loan, title, inspection and insurance documentation is completed, a closing date is set at the title company or attorney o ce. At closing, all parties sign the closing and loan documents. The lender has wired the funds to the closing company, Title Company or attorney. When good funds have been certified, funds are dispersed and the deed is transferred from seller to buyer.

2006 Luxury Land and Homes, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity.O ce is independently owned and operated.

©

2006 Luxury Land and Homes, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity.O ce is independently owned and operated.

©

Finding and Choosing the Right Home

• Based on criteria that you and your Sales Associate establish together, yourAssociate will help you find the right property. There are many factors to considerin selecting a property, including location, market conditions and amenities.

• Your Associate will apply their extensive community knowledge and professsionalresources to research available properties, and show you the listings that bestmeet your needs. If you find a property that interests you through the Internet oryour own research, let your Associate know so that a showing can be arranged.

• As you view di erent properties, your criteria may change. Open and directcommunication with your Associate is a key element of a successful propertysearch.

Making an Offer

• Once you have found the property that you wish to purchase, your Sales Associatewill apply his/her professional training and do all the necessary research to helpyou structure an e ective o er.

• This is where your Associate's negotiation skills come into play. When an o er ismade, the seller will have the option of accepting, rejecting or counter-o ering.Your Associate will negotiate the best possible terms for you.

• Your Associate will draft the purchase agreement, advising you of protectivecontingencies, customary practices, and local regulations. Home warranty, titleand escrow arrangements will be detailed in the o er. Although your Associate will give you advice and information, it is your decision as to the exact price and terms that you wish to o er.

© 2006 Luxury Land and Homes, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity.O ce is independently owned and operated.

Managing the Closing

Once the purchase agreement is accepted and signed by all parties, your

Sales Associate will manage the Closing Process for you. Your earnest money

will be held in the escrow account and will be deposited towards your closing costs at time of closing.

Removing contingenciesPrior to closing the transaction, all of the contingencies of the Purchase

Agreement must be met. Your Sales Associate will coordinate this process.Some of the typical contingencies include:

• Approval of the preliminary title commitment• Loan approval, including an appraisal of the property• Physical inspections of the property and negotiations and completion of

any agreed upon repairs• Final walk-through inspection• Pest inspection and certification• Acquisition of homeowner’s insurance and a FEMA Flood Policty

Closing the Transaction and Moving in!When all of the conditions of the purchase agreement have been met, you

will attend closing and sign your loan documents and closing papers. You will take the balance of your down payment and closing costs to closing in the form of a certified or cashiers check and your lender will deposit the balance of the purchase price with the closing agent or attorney for disbursement of funds. The deed will then be recorded at the county Recorder’s o ce and you will take ownership of your property. All of the documents that pertain to the transaction, including transaction documents, title documents and mortgage documents willbe filed for you.

Your Associate is a valuable source of helpful tips for planning and coordinating your move and will guide your through every step of the way.

The Closing Process

SellersAgentSeller

BuyersAgent Buyer

Earnest Money Deposited

Private Inspection

LenderLoan Application

Verify EmploymentCredit Report

AppraisalLoan Approval

Closing Docs Prepared

ContingenciesRemoved

Obtain Homeowners Insurance

Obtain Cashiers Check for Closing Funds

Title company

Title Search

Ordered Survey

Payo s Ordered

Deed & A davit Prepared

Title commitment

Repairs/InspectionCompleted

Closing Attorney O ce

Documents Prepared Documents Signed

Utility Transfer

$$$ Proceeds Keys & Possession

Purchase

Agreement

Note - if you can’t attend the closing you may ask your attorney to assist you in recording a Power of Attorney. This needs to be handledwell in advance of your closing date.

15 Years 20 Years 30 Years 15 Years 20 Years 30 Years4.25% $7.53 $6.21 $4.93 9.25% $10.29 $9.16 $8.324.50% 7.65 6.34 5.08 9.50% 10.44 9.32 8.414.75% 7.78 6.48 5.22 9.75% 10.60 9.49 8.605.00% 7.91 6.60 5.37 10.00% 10.75 9.66 8.785.25% 8.04 6.74 5.53 10.25% 10.91 9.82 8.975.50% 8.18 6.89 5.69 10.50% 11.06 9.99 9.165.75% 8.31 7.03 5.84 10.75% 11.22 10.16 9.346.00% 8.44 7.17 6.00 11.00% 11.37 10.33 9.536.25% 8.58 7.32 6.16 11.25% 11.53 10.50 9.726.50% 8.72 7.46 6.33 11.50% 11.69 10.67 9.916.75% 8.85 7.61 6.49 11.75% 11.85 10.84 10.107.00% 8.99 7.75 6.65 12.00% 12.01 11.02 10.287.25% 9.13 7.90 6.82 12.25% 12.17 11.19 10.487.50% 9.27 8.06 6.99 12.50% 12.33 11.37 10.687.75% 9.41 8.21 7.18 12.75% 12.49 11.54 10.878.00% 9.55 8.36 7.34 13.00% 12.66 11.72 11.078.25% 9.70 8.52 7.51 13.25% 12.82 11.80 11.268.50% 8.85 8.68 7.69 13.50% 12.99 12.08 11.468.75% 9.99 8.84 7.87 13.75% 13.16 12.26 11.669.00% 10.14 9.00 8.05 14.00% 13.32 12.44 11.95

InterestRate

Monthly PaymentPer Thousand Dollars

InterestRate

Monthly paymentPer Thousand Dollars

Estimate Your New Mortgage Payment

Multiply the monthly payment per thousand by the number of thousand you plan to borrow

Use this rate card to ESTIMATE monthly mortgage payments. These are estimates only. Your mortgage professional will provide accurate payment and closing cost disclosures. To use this chart, simply find the interest rate you wish to figure, find the rate per thousand for the # of years over you wish to amortize the loan, divide your mortgage amount by 1,000, and take that number times the rate per thousand.

EXAMPLE:$100,000 loan amount divided by 1000 = 100. The rate per thousand for a 30 year loan at 5.5% = $5.69. So 100 times $5.69 = $569.00. That would be your monthly payment.

Items Needed For Loan Application

1. Executed sales contract signed by all parties, including all amendmentsand addendums.

2. Social Security number of all applicants

3. Complete address for the past 7 years (Including complete name andaddress of landlords for the past 24 months)

4. Copies of previous two years ’ W2 Tax Forms

5. Copy of most recent year-to-date pay stubs

6. Name, address, account number, monthly statement and current balance for: installment loans, revolving charge accounts, student loanscredit cards, mortgage loans, and auto loans.

7. Name, address, account number, and balance of all deposit accounts,including: checking account, savings account, stocks, bonds, etc.

8. If you pay child support or if you choose to include income from childsupport or alimony, bring copies of court records or canceled checksshowing receipt of payment.

9. If you are applying for a VA loan: DD -214, Certificate of eligibility, or statement from your commanding o cer if you are on active duty .

10. If you are self-employed or paid by commission: previous two years’federal income tax returns with all schedules and a year-to-date profitand loss statement.

11. If you own other properties: Address of properties and estimated currentmarket value; If any debt is outstanding on properties, bring accountnumbers, lending institution name and address, monthly payment andcurrent balance.

12. If other properties are currently rented or leased: bring copies of lease and tenant ’s name(s)

13. If you have filed bankruptcy in the last seven years: Copy of petition and discharge, handwritten explanation of the reason for bankruptcy.

14. Any other information on any additional income or other liabilities.

Note: There are alternative mortgage products today which offer low documentation and no income verification. Please discuss all the options with your mortgage lender since not all loan packages conform.

Prepared for: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________Prepared by: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SALES PRICE $ ___________________________________Real Estate Property Taxes $ ___________________________ Estimated Insurance Per Year $ ______________________________________________Down Payment $ ____________________________________ LTV: ___________________________________________________________________

MONTHLY PAYMENT:Principal and Interest $ __________Taxes $ __________Insurance $ __________Private Mortgage Insurance $ __________ESTIMATED MONTHLY PAYMENT $ __________

PURCHASE PRICE $ __________ BALANCE SHEET

CLOSING EXPENSES DEBITSLoan Origination Fee $ __________ Purchase Price $ __________Loan Discount $ __________ Total Closing Costs $ __________Appraisal Fee $ __________ Total Pre-paids $ __________Credit Report $ __________ Other $ __________Underwriting Fee $ __________ Other $ __________Courier/Delivery Fee $ __________ TOTAL DEBITS $ __________Document Preparation Fee $ __________Flood Certification $ __________Document Protection Fee $ __________ CREDITSLoan Processing Fee $ __________ Amount of New First Mortgage Loan $ __________Tax Service Fee $ __________ Earnest Money Deposit $ __________Recording Fee $ __________ Real Estate Tax Credit $ __________Survey $ __________ Closing Costs Paid by Seller on Behalf of Buyer $ __________Termite Inspection $ __________ Other Credits $ __________General Home Inspection $ __________ TOTAL CREDITS $ __________Radon Inspection $ __________Lead Based Paint Inspection $ __________ TOTAL DEBITS $ __________Mold Inspection $ __________ LESS TOTAL CREDITS $ __________TOTAL CLOSING COSTS $ __________ =Total Cash Needed from Buyer

To Close the Transaction $ __________Pre-Paids /EscrowClosing/Settlement Fee $ __________Title Insurance/ Buyers Policy $ __________Interest from _____ to _____ @ $ _____ / day $ __________Hazard Insurance Premium for 1st Year $ __________One Time FHA Mortgage Insurance Premium $ __________Hazard Insurance Escrow _____ Mo @ $ _____ / Mo $ __________Mortgage Insurance Escrow _____ Mo @ $ _____ / Mo $ __________Real Estate Tax Escrow _____ Mo @ $ _____ / Mo $ __________Prorated Homeowners Association/ Condo Fee $ __________TOTAL PRE-PAIDS $ __________

USE THIS FORM TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE NORMAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH BUYING A HOME. YOUR LENDER, ATTORNEY OR TITLE COMPANY & SALES ASSOCIATE WILL PROVIDE ACTUAL ESTIMATED COSTS AS YOU PROCEED THROUGH THE PROCESS.

SAMPLE ESTIMATED CLOSING COST WORKSHEET

Buyer Worksheet

Analysis For Better Service

Requirements - Future PropertyDesired Area(s) _________________ New or Existing _____________________

Style _________________ Square Feet _____________________

Price Range _________________ Lot Size _____________________

Bedrooms _________________ Requested Features _____________________

Bathrooms _________________ Requested Features _____________________

Other Requirements ________________________________ __________________________

________________________________ ________________________________ __________

________________________________ ________________________________ __________

Current Housing InformationAddress _________________

E -Mail Address _________________ Phone _____________________

Approximate Value _________________ Estimated Equity _____________________

Down Payment _________________ Progress of Sale _____________________

Buyer InformationChildren _________________

Buyer #1 _________________ Phone _____________________

E -Mail Address _________________ Commute Time _____________________

Cell Phone _________________ Work Phone _____________________

Employer ________________________________ __________________________

Buyer #2 _________________ Phone _____________________

E -Mail Address _________________ Commute Time _____________________

Cell Phone _________________ Work Phone _____________________

Employer ___________________________________________________________

will provide you with excellent service and support.

will provide a thorough search of all available listingsto ensure you review all of the current options.

will preview and research as many properties as you require.

know the market area, neighborhood amenities, community information, contract negotiation, and financing options.

Have the full resources of Luxury Land and Homes.

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Tom Steenhuysen 2006

Luxury Land and Homes, Inc.

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