Golden Retriever on a dock By Terri Seignious, Guest Contributor

The Charleston real estate market is on the rise and and this year’s spring real estate season is going to be more competitive than ever.  But, if your dream “Charleston lifestyle ” includes a home with scenic water views or a dock out back for your boat, there’s are definitely something you should know.  Waterfront property in Charleston is not created equally.

Here are 5 Things you should know about waterfront property in Charleston, SC:

1) Not all waterfront property is termed “deep water ”  

We have a great deal of marsh surrounding Charleston so water depths can vary significantly and a buyer needs to be very clear about what their needs are if they are planning on boating or having a dock. True deep water (considered  more valuable for the most part) means you can get a boat in and out on most tidal depths and the boater is not dependent on the tide to be “high. ”  Even deep water depths vary, so you need to know what kind of water a parcel or property has at low and high tide.

 

2) Docks- Not all waterfront property is “dock-able “

 
If there is not already a dock in place be aware  some may not even be able to have a dock at all.  Docks in SC are governed by the OCRM (Office of Coastal Resource and Management) and there are restrictions on where docks can be built and a very strict permitting process that is in place which can restrict the length of the dock as well as whether it can have a lift, dock head, rails etc.

 

3 ) Access to the ocean or river

Charleston is surrounded by water but when shopping for waterfront property make sure your agent knows what kind of river or ocean access you desire. Not all bodies of water lead to “big ” water.  There are some tidal creek lots that are inaccessible to the Intracoastal waterway due to roads or low bridges.  Always research the waterway to make sure the land you are interested in serves your needs.

 

4) Critical Lines

the Corp of Engineers, and in some cases the OCRM, will monitor building on the marsh and waterways. There are very strict guidelines on how close a home or structure can be to the ‘critical line’ and what plants can be removed from those areas. Roughly, the critical line is where the marsh and marsh grasses meet the high land. A surveyor is needed to establish where that line or boundary is. The state does conduct fly over photos of the waterways and they will issue a fine to anyone building in areas that are prohibited.

 

5) Heirs Property

Some waterfront parcels in Charleston are termed ” heirs property. ” They may never have completely clear title and this is something that, in some cases, has to be researched by an attorney who is knowledgable in that area. In these cases many times land has been handed down from generation to generation by relatives who have died without a will. The title can be very difficult and time consuming to clear and some will never have what is known as ” clear title. ”  A good knowledgeable realtor and attorney can help determine if a parcel of land or, in some cases, a home are ‘heirs property “. Some homeowners may not even know their property can’t have clear title so it is important particularly in the rural areas and on the waterfront to know this situation can exist.

Note: Our team of realtors are experts at Charleston and experts at helping clients navigate the ins-and-outs of purchasing a waterfront property that most closely matches their needs.  If living on one of Charleston’s breathtaking waterways is what you’ve dreamed of … find out how we can help.

Interested in Learning More?

Our expert teams - from development, investment, real estate, and property management - have experienced it all and have the insight to help you along the way.

Find Out More