The Cassina Group

Where to Drive When Charleston Floods

Jimmy Dye — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:26:27 +0000

For anyone who has spent a little time living in Charleston, you know when the high tide mixes with heavy rain fall it means flooding. Streets like East Bay and the Crosstown tend to flood because there’s a lack of drainage and Charleston happens to sit below sea level. As a Lowcountry resident, we all know this is a part of regular life in the area, but it’s something not many know how to get around. If you happen to be traveling to work and regularly cross over Charleston, it’s best to have a back-up route in case it floods one day.

Here’s a map you can use to plot your “Plan B” route:

View Downtown Charleston, SC flood-prone streets in a larger map

Charleston Flood Zones

Understanding Charleston’s flood zones is important to know before buying a home. There are different classifications you should be aware of, so you understand what type of insurance you might need for your new home.

A-Zone
- Properties in this flood zone are subject to flooding from rising water during a 1% chance storm. Houses in this zone are required to be elevated a designated height to avoid damage. Flood insurance is required if you take a mortgage out on these classified properties.
V-Zone
- Like A-one properties, homes in this area are required to be elevated and have flood insurance. In addition, these properties are required to have break-away walls.
B, X, & C Zones
- These properties are not in a special flood hazard area, but may be subject to flooding from recurring rainstorms. There are no required elevations and insurance for these properties, but they are recommended.

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Fun Facts of Historic Homes in Charleston, SC

Jimmy Dye — Fri, 17 May 2013 01:23:57 +0000

History isn’t as boring as it sounds. It often comes accompanied by interesting stories and fun facts no one knew about. It does more than teach us about the past, but also gives us perspective why it’s unique. And as any Charlestonian knows, Charleston is one city deep in history and filled with untold stories that people love to hear about. From hundred-year old ghost stories to Civil War tales, Charleston never fails to impress us. However, in this edition of Historic Home Stories, we’re focusing on the houses themselves. Here are some fun facts you probably haven’t heard of:

Sky Blue Porch Ceilings

One stroll through Charleston neighborhoods like Harleston Village or South of Broad, you’ll probably notice that a lot of the front porches on each home is painted a sky blue (on the ceiling). You would probably guess that it was once a Southern tradition to do so, but what you might be interested to find out are the reasons why. The specific choice of sky blue as the porch ceiling color stems from a series of superstitions and ideas.

by Soorikian Architecture

The most notable reason why the porches were painted sky blue was the fear of bugs, such as hornets and spiders. It was the belief that if the porch ceiling was painted like the sky, then the bugs wouldn’t nest there — since they are looking for a “solid” place to live. No one wants to live in the sky, right? However, there is no scientific proof that this works — as is evident with the many mud daubers still building their nests in the corners. Why it might of worked back in the “old” days is because they use to mix lime into the paint, so that may have driven them off.

The second reason why you see lots of Charleston houses with blue front porches stems from the local Gullah culture in the area. Often referred to as “Haint” blue, the distinct color was meant to drive away evil spirits. (Haint is a spirit or ghost). Sometimes, homeowners will event paint their front door or wall trim Haint blue for extra protection. Though a little more rare, it still can be seen around many Charleston historic homes.

by Jamison Howard

Overall, the front porch has always play a significant role in Charleston culture. It’s a common sight to see neighbors sitting out on their front porch, admiring the local scenery, and sipping some sweet tea. Maybe the sky blue just reminds them of the sky — and of bright, good old days. There’s nothing more joyous than relaxing in the outdoors on the comfort of your home!

To see what we’re talking about, check out our current home listings:

Click Here to View Historic Charleston Real Estate

Stay Tuned for More Historic Charleston Stories!

Charleston Event: The Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC

Jimmy Dye — Sun, 12 May 2013 15:12:04 +0000

The 2013 Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina will be held from May 24th to June 9th. The Spoleto Festival is an International Performing Arts Festival which includes over 160 performances in theatre, dance, and music including opera, chamber, jazz, bluegrass and many others. Locations for the many different performances will include, theatres, churches, the College of Charleston and several other locations.

Opening Night

The Opening Night of the festival kicks off in the grounds of the College of Charleston’s President’s house. For $300.00, a ticket can be purchased to enjoy this opening night party with a cocktail supper, live music and a full bar. Festival artists and patrons will all be at the opening night.

Opera, Theater, and Dance

Visitors to Spoleto will have the chance to see two different operas. Matsukaze will be performed at the Dock Street theatre with tickets ranging in price from $25 to $65. Le Villi and Mese Mariano, two rarely performed Italian operas, will be performed at the College of Charleston Sottile Theater, with prices from $75 to $90.

Le Grand C, a French new-circus performance will be held at the Memminger Auditorium, featuring gravity-defying stunts. Tickets range from $50 to $65.

There is a wide selection of theater performances, including, Mayday Mayday, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Oedipus and Bullet Catch. There are two different performances of the Intergalactic Nemesis, Book One: Target Earth and Book Two: Robot Planet Rising. Theatre productions will be held at the Dock Street Theatre, Memminger Auditorium and College of Charleston Theaters. Ticket prices vary, for Midsummer Night’s Dream tickets range from $50 to $85. For more information on details of dates, times, prices and locations, Box Office: 843.579.3100 or visit their website (click here).

For dance lovers, options include, tap artist Jared Grimes. Also, Spain’s renowned Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía and additionally Compagnie Kafig, combining hip-hop and samba.

Music

The music selection is wide and varied. On May 30th, Angelique Kidjo, Grammy award- winning world music superstar will be performing. Other selections include, Bank of America Chamber Music, Westminster Choir Concerts, Rosanne Cash, J.D. McPherson and several others. Jazz Musicians are included in the festival with artists including Gregory Porter, IIro Rantala from Finland and Eli Degibri a soulful saxophonist.

2013 Festival Map

View 2013 Festival Map in a larger map

Festival Finale

The Festival Finale on June 9th will be held at Middleton Place, one of Charleston’s National Historic landmarks and home to America’s oldest landscaped gardens. The Festival Finale will include music by the Red Stick Ramblers, a mixture of a Cajun, honky-tonk, swing concert with a grand finale of fireworks.

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Restaurant Spotlight: The Old Village Post House in Mt. Pleasant, SC

Jimmy Dye — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:29:02 +0000

The Old Village Post House is a delightful place to stay and dine in the historic village of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. It features six guest rooms as well as courtyard and private dining for special events. The warm hospitality offered by the tavern is an excellent accompaniment to the thoughtful and delicious menu overseen by Executive Chef Frank Lee and Chef de Cuisine Forrest Parker.

Location

Dinner Nightly from 5:30 p.m.
Lunch Available for Private Groups
Brunch Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Reservations: (843) 388-8935
101 Pitt Street, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Website: Click Here

Frank Lee, Executive Chef

Lee has been cooking for over 40 years with a particular passion for sustainable and locally sourced cuisine. Early in his career, Lee launched an innovative vegetarian restaurant in South Carolina. His attentiveness to fresh and seasonable food continues to present itself in the fresh herbs he tends in his own garden and the many relationships he nurtures with local purveyors of meat and produce in Mount Pleasant. Lee’s cooking is worldly in design as he has traveled to many of the top kitchens in France and has worked in several French-inspired restaurants such as Les Nomades in Chicago and the former Le Pavillion in Washington, D.C. Featured as a “Great Chef of the South,” Lee’s expertise has been recognized in Food & Wine, The New York Times and The Washington Post.

The Old Village Post House offers dinner nightly as well as a Sunday brunch. Highlights of the dinner menu include the Asparagus Bisque with butter poached crab and truffle oil or the Old Village Shrimp & Grits with Andouille sausage and country ham gravy. For dessert, the uniquely titled “Coffee & Cigarettes” is in actuality a King Bean Coffee mocha flan delicately accompanied by a smoked pirouline, salted caramel, and chocolate crisps. The Sunday Brunch menu offers such southern specialities as the Crispy Fried Oysters and the Crab Cake Benedict.

Happy Hour at the Old Village Post House is every weeknight from 5-7pm with discounts on all beers, speciality cocktails and Maverick lable wines by the glass. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try a Village Heat with Jalapeño infused Maverick Vodka, basil, and house-made lemonade.

Special Events

The Old Village Post House has an exciting month of events ahead in May. On Sunday, May 12th, the tavern will host a special Mother’s Day Brunch from 10am-2pm. It features a prix fixe menu of appetizer, entree and dessert comprised of such fresh and appetizing dishes as the Smoked Trout Salad and Strawberries & Cream French Toast.

The following week of May 13-17, the Old Village Post House will be celebrating its 10th anniversary by offering nightly “birthday presents” to guests such as a discounted bottles of wines or a three course menu for $30. A particular highlight will be the Farm to Table Wine Dinner on Thursday, May 16. The cuisine will feature ingredients from a number of local farms with Pete and Sam Ambrose of Ambrose Family Farm in attendance. The Asparagus and Goat Cheese Terrine featuring produce from their farm will be on the menu. Reservations are required.

Learn More About Mt. Pleasant Homes for Sale

The Best Neighborhoods On James Island, SC

Jimmy Dye — Tue, 07 May 2013 01:12:34 +0000

James Island in Charleston, South Carolina is an excellent place to live. From anywhere on the Island, residents are just ten minutes from either downtown Charleston or a beach. This makes James Island the perfect location to call home. While all of James Island is beautiful, there are some especially wonderful neighborhoods on the island worth considering such as Lawton Bluff, Seaside Plantation, Stiles Point Plantation and Stonefield.

James Island’s Best Neighborhoods

1. Lawton Bluff

Lawton Bluff is a lovely, established neighborhood. Built in the 1960′s, the brick homes stand on large lots with mature vegetation and offer both city and harbor views. This community is family oriented and boasts excellent public schools. It’s convenient location – very close to James Island Recreation Center, the beach or downtown Charleston – means there is always entertainment nearby. It is a safe neighborhood where residents take great pride in their homes and lawns, and as a result the home values stay consistent.

2. Seaside Plantation

Another popular community on James Island is Seaside Plantation. Seaside Plantation is conveniently located near the lovely Folly Beach for a day of surf and sun. Yet, downtown Charleston is also within reach. This quaint, family friendly community offers many custom homes with water frontage. Marsh, lake and tidal creek views are available depending on the location within the community, and a private community boat ramp allows easy access to the water for boating and fishing.

3. Stiles Point Plantation

A favorite location on James Island, Stiles Point Plantation features classic South Carolina Antebellum and Colonial style homes with large front porches and stately columns. Residents can sit out on the porches and enjoy the tidal creek and marsh views available here. This secure, family friendly community is also conveniently located and offers residents a private community park. The neighborhood park offers amenities such as tennis courts, a baseball diamond and a playground for families with children.

4. Stonefield

Stonefield is another wonderful James Island neighborhood. Modestly priced homes here allow James Island living on a budget. The neighborhood is well known for it’s quiet atmosphere. The community is beautifully landscaped, and no through traffic means the quiet serenity is preserved for residents here.

The James Island Conclusion….

There are so many beautiful places on James Island that it is impossible to mention them all. These, however, are a few of the favorites. If you are considering a move, look here first! You certainly won’t be disappointed.

Click Here to See The Best Of James Island Real Estate

FEATURED LISTING: 455 Lydia Drive

Molly Glover — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:37:47 +0000

If you’re searching for the perfect James Island family home, take a look at Charles McIntosh’s new listing at 455 Lydia Drive. With three bedrooms, two baths and over 1,800 square feet of interior space, it has plenty of room for growing families.

The interior of the home is spacious and has been recently updated. A renovated master bath and new kitchen are some of the main highlights but other subtle details such as decorative moldings in the living areas and beautiful hardwood floors add interest. This home is a perfect fit for those who love to entertain because of the abundant living spaces. A sunny formal living room greets guests as they enter the home and there is a striking floor to ceiling window which allows great natural light to filter into the space. Adjoining the formal living room is the dining room and a charming flex space with beautiful exposed brick and tall windows. This area is currently being used as a kid’s playroom but could easily be converted into a sun room or office. The renovated kitchen has custom cabinets, granite counters and stainless steel appliances. It opens to a cozy family room (which overlooks the living room), making hosting a party or keeping an eye on the kids extremely easy. There are three bedrooms, including the master suite which has its own bathroom.

455 Lydia Drive sits on a large 0.25 acre lot and has landscape lighting and a mosquito control system installed to make your time outdoors the most enjoyable as possible. It is located in the well-established community of Laurel Park and offers you the quiet neighborhood feel you are looking for but is also conveniently located near Folly and Harbor View Roads for easy access to downtown Charleston, West Ashley and the rest of James Island.

For more information on this home, contact Charles McIntosh. Click here to see a list of other homes for sale on James Island.

Living Near Distinguished Schools in Mt. Pleasant

Jimmy Dye — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:09:33 +0000

Education has always been at the forefront of the Mt. Pleasant community. Its cooperation with Charleston County’s Vision 2016 program has driven the community to exceed expectations. Mt. Pleasant’s plan to increase the graduation rate and individual learning skills has been reflected in the classroom. Mt. Pleasant has some of the best teachers in the school district, which is easily seen through test scores and school report cards. For those seeking to provide their children with a strong education, moving to Mt. Pleasant is a no-brainer.

Map of Distinguished Schools in Mt. Pleasant

Scroll around the map to locate schools and click on the place-markers for more information.

View Mt. Pleasant SC Schools in a larger map

Additional Resources

For more information about homes located near Mt. Pleasant’s distinguished schools, email us via our “Contact Us” page or view our current listings (click the button below).

View Mt. Pleasant Homes for Sale

24 Wyecreek Ave – FEATURED LISTING

mollyglover — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:03:25 +0000

Located just outside of downtown Charleston, James Island has so much to offer residents. With well-established neighborhoods, local restaurants, idyllic creeks and a 643-acre county park, there is no shortage of things to do. Plus, downtown Charleston with its world famous shops and restaurants, is just a short 10 minute drive away as are the beautiful beaches of Folly. Jason Ogden’s listing at 24 Wyecreek Avenue is the quintessential James Island home that has been masterfully updated with many move-in ready features.

Its central location in James Island provides easy access to I-26 and is only minutes from downtown Charleston and Folly Beach. 24 Wyecreek Ave is in wonderful condition and has many more advancements than other James Island homes currently on the market. Some of these include oak hardwood floors, freshly painted walls, a new kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a brand new HVAC system and so much more. The 1,600+ square foot interior boasts a formal dining room and cozy living room (complete with a wood-burning fireplace) plus a beautifully renovated kitchen so there is plenty of room to entertain friends and family. A finished bonus room adjoins the living room and is currently being used as a game room or secondary family room. Three spacious bedrooms—including a large master suite with a completely renovated bathroom—are great for families of all sizes.

From you front door, you can easily take your family downtown or to the beach, but you also have the benefit of allowing the children to play in your own spacious fenced-in yard. The Cross Creek community is a well-established neighborhood which is peaceful and quiet yet conveniently located near main James Island thoroughfares.

The home is in move-in ready condition and is priced to sell! Contact Jason Ogden for more information or to set up a showing.

FEATURED LISTING: 5371 Hwy 162

mollyglover — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:49:11 +0000

Ever thought of moving to Hollywood? We’re talking about Hollywood, South Carolina of course! Now is your opportunity with our listing at 5371 Highway 162! The home is located in the charming and quaint town of Hollywood (located in Charleston County) and is located only about 30 minutes from downtown Charleston. It is also only a short 30 minute drive to the beautiful beaches of Edisto Island. It sits on a large 3 acre wooded lot so you have plenty of privacy. The appealing home has two spacious bedrooms and great living spaces. You will immediately notice that the hardwood floors run through almost the entire home and ample windows bask the home in natural light with great views of the outdoors. The formal living room adjoins a formal dining room to provide lots of space to entertain friends and family. The kitchen is very large and is equipped with plenty of cabinet space. There is also a sun room and a back deck for outdoor entertaining plus a large detached workshop. With new updates including fresh exterior paint and a new hot water heater, it is a great property that is PRICED TO SELL. Check it out now and contact listing agent Jimmy Dye!

Your Handbook For Charleston Cruises

Jimmy Dye — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:23:29 +0000

Charleston is a historic city that maintains its unique character through beautiful architecture, southern delicacies, and welcoming residents. Over the years, it has become a lovable tourist destination and hub for major cruise lines. Ships set anchor and embark almost every week from the Charleston harbor, but few know about the great restaurants and shops tourists can visit while here, and locals know little about where to go to get on the cruise ship.

Below you can find information on cruises coming in and out of Charleston, and learn about which places to go while in town. Simply click the place-markers to read more details and see which shop suits you.

Map of the Charleston Cruise Port

View Charleston Cruises in a larger map

For More Information

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