Consider This When Buying Real Estate in Charleston’s Historic District

Ever feel nervous about buying a home or moving to a new location, and think “Is this the right move for me?

A quick city-guide or list of property details can give you some insight, but there are doubts. For those moving to Charleston’s Downtown Historic District, there’s a double whammy. First, you have to wonder if downtown Charleston is right for you. Then you have to answer if you should buy a historic real estate property.

Real estate is already filled with too many decisions. To narrow your choices and get you in the right mindset, let’s dive into the questions you should ask yourself before deciding on Charleston, SC.

  1. Should I buy a historic home in Charleston?

Charleston and the outlying suburbs offer plenty of choices for real estate. You can find ranch-style properties, modern living arrangements, houses on the beach, and homes situated within historic districts. All have different pros and cons.

Historic homes in Charleston are typically located on the peninsula, giving you quick access to many workplaces, restaurants, and other entertainment options. The main selling point to historic real estate is the character of the home. No property is the same and each has a layout that has been distinguished by its previous owners (some dating back to the early 1800’s).

Living in a historic home means you get to be a part of something unique. You get a glimpse into the past few are privy to. How cool is that?

Some things you may want to research before buying include:

  • What taxes will you pay? Are there any tax credits (or incentives) from state and local governments?
  • What restrictions are there for renovating historic homes?
  • What kind of costs will you face with maintaining a historic property?
  • Does the location create a setting you want to live in or be away from?

  1. Is downtown Charleston the right location for me?

Downtown Charleston is naturally alluring. You’re connected to almost everything -- entertainment, work, travel spots, and so on. Choosing Charleston means understanding what kind of vibe you want to live among.

Downtown is more energetic and lively than other suburbs like Mount Pleasant or James Island. Restaurants and events are just blocks away. Each weekend is its own adventure. You don’t have to worry about sitting through traffic, since you’re already in the heart of things.

The price for living in downtown Charleston means less space for your dollar. Properties, here, don’t have acre-sized backyards. You’re choosing to live in a traditional, Southern home where you’re close to your neighbor. Other things to consider include knowing your flood zone. Charleston is located in a flood zone and does, occasionally, experience inclement weather. This means paying more for home and flood insurance.

  1. Does the home (or location) have the right amenities?

Depending on your lifestyle, Charleston’s Downtown Historic District may or may not be the right place for you. If you’re someone who wants to be on the beach, surfing every day … downtown Charleston may not be the best option, since you can choose a home on Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, or Folly Beach.

But if you love being in the heart of activity and cherish opportunities to try new things, downtown is a great choice. Before selecting a property, perform a local Google Map search. See what parks, schools, and other venues are nearby. Example: if you’re a sailor, you’ll enjoy the marina just down the road.

Double check what effort it will take to live your lifestyle and see if it’ll be a happy (and easy) one.

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9 Photos 7 Doughty Street UNIT F Charleston, SC 29403

7 Doughty Street UNIT F
Charleston, SC 29403
Downtown
Residential

MLS# 24010223 / Active
2 br, 1 ba, 962 Sqft

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!! Nestled quaintly between the College of Charleston and MUSC, this charming townhouse would make a great investment f... 

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$625,000
Provided courtesy of Premier Properties Charleston
9 Photos 7 Doughty Street UNIT C Charleston, SC 29403

7 Doughty Street UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29403
Downtown
Residential

MLS# 24010221 / Active
2 br, 1 ba, 1 Half Bath, 956 Sqft

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!! Nestled quaintly between the College of Charleston and MUSC, this charming townhouse would make a great investment f... 

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$625,000
Provided courtesy of Premier Properties Charleston
11 Photos 7 Doughty Street UNIT A Charleston, SC 29403

7 Doughty Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29403
Downtown
Residential

MLS# 24010217 / Active
2 br, 1 ba, 1 Half Bath, 956 Sqft

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!! Nestled quaintly between the College of Charleston and MUSC, this charming townhouse would make a great investment f... 

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$650,000
Provided courtesy of Premier Properties Charleston
75 Photos 48 Gibbes Street Charleston, SC 29401

48 Gibbes Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential

MLS# 24010196 / Active
3 br, 3 ba, 2 Half Bath, 3794 Sqft

The owner truly put together the dream team when creating this masterpiece. Designed by architects Dufford Young, built by Tre Sheppard Constructio... 

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$4,850,000
Provided courtesy of Carriage Properties LLC
52 Photos 59 Anson Street Charleston, SC 29401

59 Anson Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential

MLS# 24010098 / Active
5 br, 3 ba, 2 Half Bath, 4203 Sqft

This exquisite historic home is nestled on the corner of Anson and Society Streets in the heart of the charming residential neighborhood of Ansonbo... 

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$3,499,000
Provided courtesy of The Cassina Group
33 Photos
Open House: Tomorrow 11:00am - 1:00pm
59 Barre Street UNIT A Charleston, SC 29401

59 Barre Street UNIT A
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 24010090 / Active
3 br, 3 ba, 1 Half Bath, 2640 Sqft

Harleston Village, one of downtown Charleston's most popular neighborhoods, boasts Halsey Park, a new classically designed enclave. 59 A Barre Stre... 

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$2,500,000
Provided courtesy of Julian V Brandt Inc
29 Photos 114 Queen Street Charleston, SC 29401

114 Queen Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 24009998 / Active
4 br, 3 ba, 2390 Sqft

This historic Harleston Village home is located in the heart of downtown Charleston and within walking distance of restaurants, shops, galleries, p... 

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$1,895,000
Provided courtesy of The Cassina Group
29 Photos
Open House: Today 2:00pm - 4:00pm
9 Brewster Court Charleston, SC 29403

9 Brewster Court
Charleston, SC 29403
Midtown
Residential

MLS# 24010057 / Active
3 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1908 Sqft

Sophisticated contemporary townhouse located in the Midtown community and close to some of Charleston's favorite restaurants, bakeries, and boutiqu... 

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$1,279,000
Provided courtesy of Lois Lane Properties
50 Photos
Open House: Sat Apr 27th, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
71 Vanderhorst Street Charleston, SC 29403

71 Vanderhorst Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential

MLS# 24009924 / Active
9 br, 4 ba, 3124 Sqft

Presenting 71 Vanderhorst, a fully Renovated Triplex in Historic Radcliffeborough Downtown. This charming property, originally built in 1870, featu... 

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$1,995,000
Provided courtesy of Riverland Realty
5 Photos 33 Lockwood Drive UNIT Lu224 Charleston, SC 29401

33 Lockwood Drive UNIT Lu224
Charleston, SC 29401
The Harborage At Ashley Marina
Residential

MLS# 24009799 / Active
n/a br, n/a ba, n/a Sqft

You won't find a better slip in all of Charleston. Slip T-17 is 90ft x 22ft yacht-sized wet slip at the end of the marina, in the premium Harborage... 

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$550,000
Provided courtesy of Brand Name Real Estate
11 Photos 65 Vanderhorst Street UNIT C Charleston, SC 29403

65 Vanderhorst Street UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential

MLS# 24009912 / Active
1 br, 1 ba, 530 Sqft

Welcome to your cozy urban retreat! This delightful ground level condo is nestled in the vibrant heart of the city, just a stone's throw away from ... 

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$365,000
Provided courtesy of EXP Realty LLC
31 Photos 3 Queen Street UNIT #201 Charleston, SC 29401

3 Queen Street UNIT #201
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential

MLS# 24009878 / Active
1 br, 1 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1023 Sqft

Nestled in one of Historic Charleston's most coveted neighborhoods~ The French Quarter~this is Downtown Living at its Finest. This two-story elegan... 

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$875,000
Provided courtesy of Carolina One Real Estate
51 Photos 166 Wentworth Street Charleston, SC 29401

166 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential

MLS# 24009676 / Active
4 br, 3 ba, 2 Half Bath, 4964 Sqft

The historic Job Palmer House at 166 Wentworth Street is a stunning Charleston Single home that was built circa 1809 and previously restored in the... 

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$5,100,000
Provided courtesy of William Means Real Estate, LLC
68 Photos 38 Hasell Street Charleston, SC 29401

38 Hasell Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential

MLS# 24009653 / Active
6 br, 6 ba, 6511 Sqft

Welcome to 38 Hasell, a classically elegant, astonishingly grand solid brick estate offering 14 foot ceilings, intricate historic mouldings, period... 

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$5,900,000
Provided courtesy of Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty
43 Photos 15 Colonial Street Charleston, SC 29401

15 Colonial Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Residential

MLS# 24009551 / Active Contingent
4 br, 4 ba, 1 Half Bath, 3114 Sqft

Located in Charleston's most exclusive South of Broad neighborhood. Steps from Colonial Lake and a short walk to everything the lower peninsula off... 

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$2,050,000
Provided courtesy of The Boulevard Company, LLC
20 Photos 301 Broad Street UNIT #1 Charleston, SC 29401

301 Broad Street UNIT #1
Charleston, SC 29401
Broad Street Arms
Residential

MLS# 24009535 / Active
2 br, 1 ba, 1 Half Bath, 975 Sqft

With the guidance of San Francisco-based designer Vincent Leger of EAG Studio and the owner's refined minimalist flair, the pair reimagined this vi... 

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$1,150,000
Provided courtesy of Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty
1 Photos Sold 5 Gadsdenboro Street UNIT #207 Charleston, SC 29401

5 Gadsdenboro Street UNIT #207
Charleston, SC 29401
Gadsdenboro
Residential

MLS# 24009383 / Sold
3 br, 3 ba, 1507 Sqft

Beautiful three bedroom/ three bath with its own walkup entrance The Gadsden is walking distance to the restaurants, theaters, galleries and shops ... 

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Sold Price: $1,350,000
Provided courtesy of The Exchange Company, LLC
28 Photos 138 Tradd Street UNIT B Charleston, SC 29401

138 Tradd Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential

MLS# 24009479 / Active
2 br, 2 ba, 1232 Sqft

South of Broad, pied-a-terre! This Historic Charleston property has been meticulously transformed from historic gem into modern masterpiece. The tw... 

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$1,300,000
Provided courtesy of Corcoran HM Properties
48 Photos 86 Columbus Street UNIT A & B Charleston, SC 29403

86 Columbus Street UNIT A & B
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential

MLS# 24009267 / Active
6 br, 4 ba, 2614 Sqft

Great Investment Opportunity! Charleston Single Duplex in Historic Downtown Charleston, located in the convenient and fast-growing Eastside neighbo... 

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$900,000
Provided courtesy of RE/MAX FullSail, LLC
27 Photos 29 Cannon Street Charleston, SC 29403

29 Cannon Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Residential

MLS# 24009178 / Active
4 br, 2 ba, 1525 Sqft

Located in desirable Cannonborough-Elliottborough district, 29 Cannon Street is a historic Charleston single house zoned limited business brimming ... 

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$1,700,000
Provided courtesy of Tift Properties
36 Photos 3 Queen Street UNIT #315 Charleston, SC 29401

3 Queen Street UNIT #315
Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter
Residential

MLS# 24009121 / Active
2 br, 2 ba, 1 Half Bath, 1562 Sqft

Welcome to 3 Queen Street, a captivating downtown Charleston condominium situated in the vibrant French Quarter, offering unparalleled convenience ... 

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$1,500,000
Provided courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty
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