Real Estate News, South Carolina

Island Life on Harbor Island in Beaufort South Carolina

Sea Islands South Carolina
Published on November 15, 2016

As leaves turn brown, the air cools, and winter settles in, you may be looking to head for a warmer climate for the winter or maybe forever. If you look south, toward the South Carolina beach communities, you may be surprised to find there are plenty of affordable luxury beach homes to explore. In the Lowcountry area of Beaufort, there are pristine beaches, and the magnificent Sea Islands, as well as countless ways to spend your days enjoying the pleasant weather. One of the area's top gated communities is delightful Harbor Island, on a quiet island blessed with epic natural scenery. Residents savor the ocean, the warmth of the sun, good fun and relaxation.

Harbor Island is a paradise all to its own - 2.5 square miles of exclusive property, with private beachfront, swimming pools, and great amenities due east of downtown Beaufort SC. Within the gated community there are tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, various water sports, as well as beach fishing and crabbing in the natural tidal creeks. Also making it one of the top South Carolina beach communities, is its proximity to Savannah, Charleston, and the nearby Sea Islands. This includes the Hilton Head, known for its 24 world-class golf courses.

In fact, right beside Harbor Island is beautiful Fripp Island, a sanctuary for wildlife and oceanfront homes. For bird watching, this is a great place to view the native species, with more than 80 types of birds to be seen throughout the changing seasons. Here you may see bald eagles and ospreys, painted buntings in Spring, as well as elegant egrets, shore birds, and wild blue herons. Fripp Island also has tasty seafood restaurants and cocktail bars, with daily fresh delicacies served beside the sea. Fripp Island is private.

As for luxury beach homes in this distinct island community, Harbor Island has a wide variety of homes. Whether you want a single-family beach home, or a low-maintenance town home, the community has homes that you will surely fall in love with. We found a few bargain homes on the market. For example, a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom cottage on a lagoon, with backyard decks and minutes from private beach access. Located at 96 Harbour Key Drive, the asking price on this home is $309,000. If you want oceanfront, there's a two-story single family home with a screened porch, large deck and sweeping ocean views. At 60 North Harbor Drive, this home is listed for $695,000. Also available is a 794 sq. ft. condo, with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, an ocean view and deck, located in Cedar Reef Villas and listed at $149,000.

In 2016, Harbor Island's average listing price for a single-family home was $424,846, while the average selling price was $398,992. For condos, the average listing price was $163,690, while the average selling price was $153,136. And for undeveloped lots, the average listing price was $68,475, while the average selling price was $94,600.

And as for its locale, Harbor Island is among the most convenient Sea Islands. When its time to hit the town, residents head to downtown Beaufort on the mainland. In Beaufort, you'll find shopping, dining, culture, festivals and entertainment. Some of the best festivals each year include "A Taste of Beaufort", The Christmas Parade, and The Beaufort Shrimp Festival, where local chefs compete with their best shrimp recipes. For these reasons and more, Beaufort was named "America's Happiest Seaside Town" by Coastal Living Magazine in 2013. 

When this cold winter has bitten you by a bitter chill, make your way South to the town of Beaufort, South Carolina. You'll find warmth, beaches, fun in the sun, and great South Carolina beach communities, with coastal homes, island life, and sunshine year around. 

The island life can be yours at Harbor Island where you’ll find cozy homes, condominiums, lots right on the beach, and top amenities for those with active daily lifestyles.