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LUXURY INSIDER

A SEASON TO SAVOR.

Summer in the Lowcountry is a season unto itself. Slower mornings on the harbor, golden evenings on the porch, and the unmistakable hum of a community that knows how to savor every long, sun-drenched day. Charleston in summer invites us to live well and live fully, from sandy afternoons on Sullivan’s Island and Kiawah to sunset sails through the harbor and leisurely dinners under string lights downtown. It is a season that reminds us why so many choose to call this place home.

The summer real estate market carries its own rhythm as well. Families are making meaningful moves before the school year begins, buyers are seeking that long-imagined coastal retreat, and sellers are showcasing homes at their most inviting, with pools shimmering, gardens in full bloom, and outdoor living spaces alive with the ease of the season.

In this issue, we feature residences that capture the very best of a Charleston summer: breezy waterfront estates built for entertaining, refined downtown homes shaded by historic piazzas, and serene island properties where the days unfold at their own pace. As Charleston steps confidently into the season, we invite you to experience it fully through its homes, its neighborhoods, and its celebrated cultural calendar. Let us guide you toward what comes next.

LYLES GEER | President and Broker-in-Charge

WELCOME TO OUR CHARLESTON HOME.

William Means Real Estate is one of Charleston’s oldest and most established real estate firms. Our agents offer a specialization in marketing fine properties to discerning clients, affirming our long-standing record of first-rate service. And this is the reason William Means has been successful since 1933 and continues to grow and evolve as the real estate industry changes and expands. Our company was founded on the principles of integrity and professionalism – which is why our agents provide the best service experience when buying or selling your Charleston home.

93 Years in Charleston

$4.6 Billion+ in luxury property sales 2 well-established offices

MARKET UPDATE

CHARLESTON REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE

Year-to-Date Through May 2026

I was hoping 2026 would calm down after the rollercoaster of 2025, but unfortunately that didn’t happen. The first five months of the year have been every bit as wild, with a few additional circumstances. Rates that spent late 2025 drifting down below 6% su rged again in March, dropped in April, and are climbing back toward 6.5% as I write this.

The bigger picture isn’t helping. We’re a year into the new administration, the tariff story keeps rewriting itself, and the bo nd market has been changing its mind about Fed cuts every other week. The stock market continues to do well while the overall economy is rocky. The war in Iran and its effect on all financial factors also weighs heavily into the real estate market.

Through April, Charleston’s real estate market continues to weather the current environment. The number of sold single-family detached homes in Charleston County is up 1%. The average sales price rose 5.5%. New listings are up 4% over last year, and one negative was days on market rising by nearly 14%.

Supply actually increased even with the outside factors and many still holding on to their favorable interest rates. Translation: a lot of sellers who sat 2025 out finally decided to list, and a lot of buyers who were waiting on the sidelines decided to swing. Th e volume is genuinely impressive given how loud the rate noise has been.

Rates are still high, and they’ve been a moving target all year. After dipping below 6% in late 2025, the 30-year fixed shot up in March, eased back to 6.37% by mid-May, then jumped to 6.50% on May 20, the highest reading since August 2025. The “unlock” rate everyone whispered about, that 5-handle that would supposedly bring a flood of buyers back, hasn’t materialized, and a cle ar picture probably won’t come until the war in Iran ends.

Now we head into Charleston’s classic summer slowdown: heat, humidity, vacations, the usual suspects that pull buyers off the m arket for a few weeks. It will be interesting to see if the typically slower months occur with factors like mortgage rates and the economy so highly tied to outside forces that could shift quickly. Either way, 2026 hasn’t been and won’t be a quiet year in Charleston real estate. Given all this, William Means Real Estate is having one of our best years ever representing clients. Our clients contin ue to rely on our market knowledge and entrust us with their home buying and selling needs. As always, we are thankful for the opportunity .

DREW GROSSKLAUS | Sales Director/East Cooper Broker-in-Charge

FROM THE BLOG

AMY EDMONDS MATHISEN JOINS WILLIAM MEANS

Join us in celebrating Amy as the newest addition to our team

We are pleased to welcome Amy Edmonds Mathisen to the team, bringing a thoughtful, strategic approach shaped by more than 25 years of legal experience and a lifelong connection to Charleston. A native Charlestonian, Amy returned home after earning her undergraduate degree from Wofford College and her law degree from the University of South Carolina, building a distinguished career in law. She represented employers and insurance carriers in complex workers’ compensation cases at both the state and federal levels, handling and negotiating hundreds of matters throughout her career. Her experience later expanded into senior leadership, where she oversaw adjusters and attorneys handling longshore claims and further honed her strengths in problem solving, communication, and negotiation.

Amy’s transition into real estate is a natural extension of her professional background, allowing her to bring heightened insight and advocacy to her clients. Her ability to navigate complex situations with clarity and composure translates seamlessly into real estate, where informed guidance and strong representation make a meaningful difference.

Amy understands that buying or selling a home is one of the most significant financial and personal decisions a client will

make. Her approach is grounded in trust, defined by careful attention to detail, and guided by a commitment to achieving the best possible outcome. Clients benefit not only from her legal acumen, but also from her ability to build genuine relationships and provide steady, informed counsel throughout every stage of the process.

Amy and her husband, Trey, a fellow real estate professional with William Means, have called the I’On neighborhood home for close to three decades. Together, they were both born and raised in Charleston and over the years have developed deep roots in the community, where they raised their two children. Amy also remains actively engaged in local organizations and volunteer efforts, reflecting her strong commitment to the people and places that define the Lowcountry.

Amy’s blend of experience, perspective, and local knowledge aligns seamlessly with the values of William Means. We are proud to welcome her to the firm and look forward to the impact she will make on both our clients and our community.

Explore additional articles at charlestonrealestate.com.

DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON

SOUTH OF BROAD GEM

45 East Bay Street A 2 BR | 2 BA | 1,722 SF | South of Broad

Set within the storied Somersall-DeSaussure House (c. 1790–1800), Unit A at 45 East Bay Street offers a rare opportunity to live in one of Charleston’s most celebrated historic residences. Perched at the corner of lower East Bay and the High Battery — directly across from the Historic Charleston Foundation — this address places you at the very heart of South of Broad. Nineteenth-century Greek Revival and Italianate details, soaring ceilings, and gracious proportions reflect the home’s architectural pedigree, while a coveted location puts White Point Gardens, Rainbow Row, and the city’s finest dining, galleries, and boutiques just steps from your door. Whether as a full-time residence or an elegant pied-à-terre, this is a chance to claim a piece of Charleston history along its most iconic stretch of harborfront.

MLS 26013627

Sarah Vineyard

$3,000,000

843.709.1167

FROM THE BLOG

CHARLESTON RESTAURANTS WITH SUNSET VIEWS

Capture an awe-inspiring sunset from a few of our favorites

With the summer season upon us, locals and tourists alike are starting to spend more time outdoors. There’s something special about enjoying a meal while watching the sun set. Charleston is known for its food scene and these restaurants are sure to impress with their sunset views.

The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits

Enjoy panoramic views of downtown Charleston from the 7th floor of the Restoration Hotel at their restaurant, The Watch. Sip on a cocktail and enjoy fresh ingredients while watching the sunset. The Watch also offers an impressive Sunday brunch menu for those looking to fuel up before a downtown shopping day.

Satellite Bar

Located on King Street above Stars restaurant, Satellite Bar offers the perfect place to grab a sunset drink and enjoy Charleston’s gorgeous skyline.

The Rooftop at the Vendue

Just steps from Waterfront Park in downtown Charleston, the Rooftop at the Vendue offers light bites, salads and drinks with incredible sunset views. For those looking to keep the good times rolling, they also offer a late night menu.

Islander 71

Located along the Intercoastal Waterway, Islander 71 on Isle of Palms is the perfect post-beach day spot to grab a bite to eat and soak up the view. Play a round of cornhole under the string lights and enjoy everything that Charleston’s beautiful weather has to offer.

Sunsets

It’s easy to guess how this restaurant got its name. Newer to the Shem Creek scene, Sunsets has a little bit of everything, from appetizers to seafood and sushi. For the diners looking to add an extra level of excitement, Sunsets offers live music, karaoke and trivia nights.

Water’s Edge

Across the water from Sunsets, Water’s Edge sits on Shem Creek and offers both waterfront and outside dining, as well as Sunday brunch and free parking. After spending the day on Sullivan’s Island or cruising around the Charleston harbor, end your day on Shem Creek with great food and stellar sunset views.

Charleston Harbor Fish House

Right over the bridge on Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, Charleston Harbor Fish House offers incredible views of the USS Yorktown and the Charleston Harbor Marina

The Atlantic Room

Located at the Ocean Course Clubhouse on Kiawah Island’s Golf Resort, the Atlantic Room offers fresh seafood and stellar sunset views over the Ocean Course with fresh regional catches from local fishermen.

Explore additional articles at charlestonrealestate.com.

MOUNT PLEASANT

STUNNING SHEM CREEK OASIS

228 Haddrell Street

4 BR | 3.5 BA | 3,803 SF | Old Village

228 Haddrell Street presents true deep water living along Shem Creek in the heart of the Old Village, with a private dock offering two 40-foot slips, power, and water, and direct access to Charleston Harbor at all tides. Reimagined in a full renovation with Beau Clowney, the residence captures marsh and creek views from nearly every room and features a La Cornue range, Sub-Zero refrigeration, Urban Electric lighting, and fully rebuilt baths. A heated and chilled pool with spa, raised construction with full garage, impact windows, HardiePlank siding, new roofing, updated HVAC, and a tankless Rinnai water heater complete this rare offering.

$2,775,000 843.860.3425 843.801.3889

5 BR | 3.5 BA | 3,174 SF | Planters Pointe REMARKABLE MARSH-FRONT HOME

MLS 26003194 Jordan Kruse

$1,100,000 843.343.8696 1851 Delacourt Avenue

RECENT NEWS

CHARLESTON KEEPS MAKING THE LIST.

There’s a running joke around the Lowcountry that the only thing more dependable than the morning fog over the harbor is Charleston topping another national ranking. The list of accolades has gotten almost comically long, but the past year deserves a real look. Something is happening here.

In October, Charleston was named the No. 1 small city in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler readers for the fourth consecutive year, and the 14th time in the last 15 years. Travel + Leisure readers have given the city its top U.S. spot for more than a decade running. Kiawah Island was voted a top island in the U.S., The Dunlin was named a top 10 hotel in the South, and the Sanctuary at Kiawah landed in the rankings for best resorts in the world. Ten Charleston hotels made the city’s best-in-class list. These are not quiet wins.

Then came November, and the Michelin Guide finally arrived in the American South. Three of the four South Carolina restaurants to earn a Michelin star are in Charleston: Vern’s, Wild Common, and Malagón. Three Charleston restaurants also picked up Bib Gourmand recognition, and The Post House Inn in Mount Pleasant was named a Michelin Key Hotel. For a food scene that has spent years on the national radar through James Beard recognition (Chubby Fish has now been named an Outstanding Restaurant semifinalist two years in a row, with Merci, Welton’s Tiny Bakeshop, and Here’s Why It’s More Than a Headline.

Graft Wine Shop also on the 2026 list), the stars felt less like a surprise and more like a confirmation.

And the city is still building. The Cooper, a 191-room luxury waterfront hotel on the peninsula, opened this spring, the first of its kind on the harbor itself. Designed by Champalimaud Design and operated by Beemok Hospitality Collection, it brings a rooftop infinity pool, a 7,000-square-foot recovery spa, a private marina, and four original dining concepts to a stretch of Concord Street that, until recently, was an old Ports Authority office building. Out on Kiawah River, The Dunlin, an Auberge Resorts property, continues to draw the kind of national press most destinations spend a decade chasing.

For those who already live here, it means the city is not coasting on charm. The restaurants you booked on a Tuesday last spring are the same ones being written about in Condé Nast and Michelin this fall. The neighborhoods you walk through are the ones featured in editor’s letters. Property values, demand, and national attention tend to move together, and Charleston is on every map that matters right now. The accolades are catching up to what residents have known all along: that there is a rhythm to life here, somewhere between the pluff mud and the church bells, that does not exist anywhere else.

Charleston is having a moment. It just happens to be a moment that has lasted about 350 years.

EXPLORE MORE OF THE LOWCOUNTRY

7 2nd Avenue

5 BR | 3/2 BA | 4,784 SF | Isle of Palms

Enjoy your very own island oasis at 7 2nd Avenue on Isle of Palms. This charming, custom-built beach house is situated on an expansive corner lot with numerous porches, a three-car garage and ample parking. As you enter the home, you are greeted by an open floor plan with light filled rooms, an eat-in kitchen, a cozy den and half bath. Also located on the first level, the primary suite offers a tranquil escape that opens directly to an elevated saltwater pool with fountains. The ample deck space overlooks a lovely, secluded garden, offering the perfect backdrop to entertain friends and family. This is a rare opportunity to own an exquisite home just blocks from the beach, ideal as a full-time residence or vacation home.

MLS 26010449 Mary Cutler

$4,195,000

843.343.4858

ISLE OF PALMS OASIS

COLONIAL REVIVAL HOME

260 Confederate Circle

4 BR | 3.5 BA | 3,218 SF | South Windermere

Fully renovated to the studs and expanded in 2022, this classic two-story Colonial Revival sits on high ground in the sought-after South Windermere neighborhood of West Ashley. Offering over 3,200 sq. ft., the home seamlessly blends timeless architecture with elevated, thoughtfully curated finishes throughout, leaving no detail overlooked. The screened-in porch with its own fireplace overlooks a professionally landscaped backyard anchored by a grand live oak, brick patio, and Old Charleston brick pierced wall. Ideally located on picturesque Confederate Circle, this charming home is just minutes to downtown Charleston and within close proximity to the South Windermere shopping district and West Ashley Greenway.

CLASSIC

111 RIVERLAND DRIVE

4 BR | 6.5 BA | 5,293 SF | Sold for $7,625,000

Tucked beneath mature live oaks on an elevated bluff overlooking the Stono River, 111 Riverland Drive has set a new benchmark as the highest-priced home ever sold in James Island’s Riverland Terrace neighborhood. Originally built in 1954 and held for decades by the Halsey family of W.B. Halsey Lumber Co., the 5,293-square-foot residence offers four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and a private dock with a 9,000-pound boat lift extending into deepwater frontage. Thoughtfully renovated to blend modern comforts with original architectural character offering weeping views roughly two miles wide and 2.5 miles deep, it stands as one of just 22 homes along this coveted stretch, a truly irreplaceable legacy property that captures the very best of Lowcountry waterfront living.

SERENE SULLIVAN’S ISLAND COTTAGE

1749 MIDDLE STREET

4 BR | 3.5 BA | 3,900 SF | Sold for $5,550,000

A serene southern cottage in the heart of Sullivan’s Island’s historic district has found new owners. Built by GrayWade LLC and landscaped by Sheila Wertimer in 2012, the five-bedroom home blends timeless craftsmanship with relaxed coastal elegance, featuring custom beadboard ceilings, shiplap throughout, and a vaulted knotty pine study. Outside, a saltwater pool, screened porch, and loggia with a reclaimed-wood wet bar create the kind of effortless indoor-outdoor living that defines life on the island. Just minutes from the beach, Fort Moultrie, and downtown Charleston, it’s a rare offering on one of the Lowcountry’s most coveted streets, and we’re thrilled to have helped close the door on this chapter and open the next.