. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris DeLoach . . . 843-270-1272 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Working with many out-of-town buyers I have an opportunity to hear a lot of interesting questions about Charleston. Here are some of the most common questions:

What was America's First building constructed solely for use as a theater (February 12, 1736)?

The Dock Street Thearter (below)

What is the state handicraft?

The sweetgrass basket - A school project at Belle Hall Elementary School in Mt Pleasant resulted in the adoption of the sweetgrass basket as the state handicraft.

What are wetlands?

Wetlands are marshes, bogs, swamps or fens. In the Charleston area, we have a mix of these types of areas. Most frequently near developments are Fens - peat-forming wetlands covered mostly by grasses, pine trees, sedges, reeds and wildflowers.

They often have an abundance of wildlife. Usually, wetlands are only seasonally wet. Backing up to wetlands is considered to be a desirable so lots on wetlands are considered premium lots. Building is not done "on" wetlands but can be done, and often is done, next to wetlands

What is a joggling board? (photo to the right)

Unless you live in Charleston, there's a pretty good chance that you've never heard of a joggling board. A joggling board has been a tradition on the front porches of Charleston homes for over 100 years.

Most joggling boards are about 16 feet long and about 29 inches high, equipped with rockers on each end. This allows for both a rocking and a bouncing motion. It's usually enjoyed by more than one person and can accommodate several. Most joggling boards are painted Charleston Green.

Somewhere back in the early 1800s, the wife of the plantation owner, Mrs. Benjamin Kinloch Huger, wrote to her relatives in Scotland complaining that she had some rheumatism. One of her relatives suggested that she might try an exercise board and sent her a design. From those plans, the Charleston joggling board was born.

The joggling board has been credited for the engagements of many young Charleston womenand, thus, is also known as a courting board.

What is a Piazza?

 A piazza is "a covered open porch or veranda supported by columns or pillars and attached to the outside of a building. In Charleston such porches usually append to the side elevation of single houses and were intended as outdoor living space and a device to shade south- or west-facing windows from the heat of the sun."  Piazzas are one of the most distinctive features of Charleston architecture.

Is a marsh the same as a swamp? 

No they are very different. From a real estate perspective, marsh front is valuable - swamp front is not.

A marsh is an area of tall marsh grass which is subject to tidal flows of salt water and is, "the nursery of the ocean”. It provides protection for many species of wildlife and is the perfect environment shrimp, oysters, crabs, marsh birds and numerous fish species.

In contrast, a swamp is an area of still water that is also an important ecosystem but is not desirable for homeowners. The swamps and our area are characterized by cypress trees, slow-moving water, and tannic colored water (blackwater). Swamps are perfect environments for alligators and snakes. If you'd like to visit an interesting swap in Charleston, I suggest a visit with four holes Swamp State Park or to Cypress Gardens.

What is a F.R.O.G.?

In listings you may come across the term FROG. This is simply an additional room on a house on the second story over the garage (Finished Room Over Garage). Many homes in this area do have FROGs. If the home you are considering has one, be sure it is well insulated and that the air conditioning system is adequate to handle the higher temperatures and usually occur when the room is placed over a garage.

Can I get a basement in Charleston?

No. The water table is too high.

Are the people in Charleston friendly to outsiders?

As it turns out Charleston is considered to be the friendliest city in the nation. The people of Charleston are wonderful. When you are walking downtown or along your neighborhood street don't be surprised when strangers stop to speak with you or offer a friendly wave as you drive by your car.

As far as the mix of people in Charleston, we have a very cosmopolitan area  - people come from all over the country and the entire world to take advantage of this great city. It has always been that way in Charleston since its beginning in the 1600s. The position of Charleston along the eastern seaboard, and its wonderful natural harbor, made Charleston the perfect location for trade in the colonies. It is still is a perfect location for trade and for tourism today.

When you walk downtown expect to hear accents from the North, the South, and everywhere else in the country as well as interesting international accents as Charleston attracts people worldwide. In many ways, people Charleston recognize that this city is different from any other in the South. More than any other southern city, Charleston is always ready to open its arms to new arrivals.

Are there bargains to be found in Charleston real estate?

Yes, there are bargains to be found in Charleston real estate especially during strong buyer markets. However, don't be under the impression that things in Charleston are inexpensive compared to other areas of the United States. Yes the cost of living here is very good. Home prices tend to be quite affordable.

Still, you will pay a reasonable price for a nice home. For land, expect to pay a premium. Everyone wants a piece of Charleston so land prices reflect that and lot sizes are often smaller in this area than they are in many other areas of the country.

What is Beach Music?

Not to be confused with West Coast Beach Music, this is the traditional music, originating in Myrtle Beach, popular for over 60 years in SC, that is the dance music for "The Shag" (state dance). Listen to Beach Music on:   http://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/pages/best_songs-beach.html

What is popular fare among the locals?

Here are just a few:

Sweet tea, fresh fish, local shrimp (very popular - very good), mussels, crab, clams, oysters, Frogmore Stew*, seafood casseroles, pork (barbecue especially), quail, rice, pecans, biscuits, Palmetto Beer, Firefly (distilled on Wadmalaw Island), She-crab Soup*, Benne Seed Wafers*

*Frogmore Stew: This popular seafood dish contains smoked beef sausage, fresh corn, crabs, shrimp, and seafood seasonings. 

* "Benne" is the Bantu word for sesame and identifies the African origin of these tasty wafers. They're unique to the Lowcountry.

Like things simple? Try a "Carolina dog" served with chili and cole slaw, mustard, and onions.

What is the population?

• Atlanta, GA 290 miles (467 km)
• Chicago, IL 910 miles (1,467 km)
• Los Angeles, CA 2,490 miles (4,016 km)
• Miami, FL 590 miles (951 km)
• New York City, NY 770 miles (1,242 km)
• Washington, DC 530 miles (854 km)

• 3 Interstates: U.S. I-26, I-95, I-526
• 3 U.S. Primary Highways: 17, 52, 78

How big is the Port of Charleston in volume?

The Port of Charleston, the third busiest container port on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, handles nearly two million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of cargo annually. It is one of the most efficient and productive container ports in the world.

First European settlement – 1526

First slave revolt – November 1526

First American-built ship to cross the Atlantic – 1563

First public library – November 16, 1700

First professional female artist – 1707

First opera performed – February 18, 1735

First fire insurance company – February 3, 1736

First building constructed solely for use as a theater – February 12, 1736

First systematic, scientific recording of weather information – April 1737

First major slave insurrection – September 9, 1739

First musical society – 1762

First cotton exported to England – 1764

First public museum – January 1773

First black Baptist Church – 1773

Oldest municipal Chamber of Commerce in continuous operation – December 9, 1773

First business publication – July 30, 1774

First independent government in the colonies – March 1776

First major naval battle of the Revolutionary War – June 28, 1776

First treaty between two US states – May 20, 1777

First eminent architect born in America – 1781

First golf club – September 29, 1786

First cotton mill – 1789

First ice transported commercially – 1799

First tea planted – 1802

First fireproof building – 1823

First Reform Jewish Congregation – November 21, 1824

First regularly scheduled rail passenger service – December 25, 1830

First municipal college – 1836

First trial in a worker's compensation lawsuit – July 1838

First building to be used solely as a college library – May 6, 1840

First patent for a mechanical refrigerator – May 6, 1851

First state to secede – December 20, 1860

First shot fired in the Civil War – January 9, 1861

First black Civil War regiment – November 1862

First black to earn a Medal of Honor – July 18, 1863

First submarine to sink a ship in battle – February 17, 1864

First Memorial Day 1865

First black state supreme court associate justice – February 1, 1870

First commercial tea farm – 1890

First totally electric textile plant – 1893

First textile school established in a college – 1899

First rivetless cargo ship – February 1930

First Historical Zoning Ordinance – Oct 13, 1931

First US senator elected by write-in vote – November 2, 1954

First Independent Flag of the Colonies - 1775

First Golf Course - 1786

First Music Store - 1819

First Female Pirate

First Fire proof Building

First Landscaped Gardens

First Drug Store

First Artificial Ice

Charleston recognition:

The 2009 Readers' Choice Awards from Southern Living recently named the Isle of Palms one of the Top 10 Best Beaches in the South.

Charleston was named the #1 Best City in the South by the 2009 Southern Living Reader's Choice Awards.

Southern Living readers chose Charleston as their favorite Southern city in the magazine's 2009 Readers' choice awards.

The Holy City also earned high praise as a weekend getaway, family destination and festival spot.

Travel + Leisure named Charlestonians America's friendliest people, and the magazine's readers ranked the city the No. 4 in America in its "World's Best Awards".

Southern Living lauded the city as its top Spring Vacation Destination.

Charlotte Parent Magazine ranked Charleston the best Family Weekend Getaway.

American Style Magazine ranked Charleston the sixth best arts destination among mid-size metropolitan cities.

Forbes Traveler named Charleston’s historic King Street shopping area as one of the " Top Shopping Districts in USA" in a November 2008 article by Lynn Parramore.

Charleston was chosen as a best destination in two categories by TripAdvisor® in the 2008 Travelers’ Choice® Destinations Awards.

The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs proudly announces that the Charleston Farmers Market was named the 5th best Farmers Market in the nation as one of the criteria considered in ranking top destination cities in the United States.

The first ever Golf World "Readers’ Choice Awards" have been unveiled, recognizing the 50 best private, public and resort golf destinations in the country and naming Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina the number one golf resort in the US.

For the sixteenth consecutive year, readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine honored Charleston as a Top 10 travel destination in the U.S. Charleston was honored with a No. 2 slot - topped only by San Francisco.

Voted by Conde Nast Travel Magazine Readers Choice Awards - Charleston SC is #2 Top Cities (US) & remains the most friendly City in the America holding the #1 spot.

CNN and Travel + Leisure's poll reveals that out of all the cities in America, Charleston is ranked No.1 for Friendliest People; No. 2 for Architecture, Antiques, Flea Markets, Home Design and Pedestrian Friendliness. No. 3 for Attractive People.

Charlotte Parent votes Charleston a Family Favorite for Best Weekend Getaway – 2007.

Virtualtourist.com votes Charleston the only American city in the Top 10 Unique Romantic Destinations category – 2007

Charleston is selected "Favorite City" and "Best Shopping" by Southern Living Readers – 2007.

Travel + Leisure names Charleston the 6th Best City in the United States and Canada – 2007.

Charleston is honored by NBC's The TODAY Show inAmerica The Beautiful" series - 2007.

Southern Living Magazine is published monthly with a circulation of almost 2.5 million subscribers. Designed to appeal to the modern day Southerners, Southern Living emphasizes the development of travel, recreation, dining, homes, gardening and entertainment. Charleston South Carolina is consistently honored in the Readers’ Choice Awards by being named "Favorite Southern City" year after year.

Top Real Estate Markets for Expanding Companies - A top 15 mid size metro- Expansion Management

Economic Development Hotspots - Ranked 6th among mid-sized markets- Expansion Management

Best Performing Cities: Where America's Jobs Are Created - Ranked 12th among largest U.S. metros - Milken Institute

Job Market Leaders - Ranked 5th in private-sector job growth - Bizjournals

Where to Live Now. Best Towns in America - Best Big City on the East Coast - Outside

Hot Growth for Incomes - Ranked 5th in per capita income growth - Bizjournals

Best Places for Business Attraction - A top 15 midsize metros - Expansion Management

Top U.S. Cities for Doing Business - A top 15 midsize metro - Inc.

Best Places for Business and Careers - In the top 25 for job growth - Forbes

North American City of the Future - Ranked 2nd for infrastructure among large metros-fDi (a Financial Times publication)

Five-Star Knowledge Worker Metros-Listed among top 20 percent - Expansion Management

America's 50 Hottest Cities for business expansion - Ranked among top 25 - Expansion Management