In this months newsletter we will go over a brief market update, a winter and spring house checklist, some spots you could hit the town for date night, events this month and a neighborhood spotlight at the end!
I hope everyone has stayed warm throughout these cold winter days. Spring is SO close.
Market Update
National News
President Trump has been talking a lot about housing affordability, including directing Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to start buying billions of dollars of mortgage-backed securities, which should lead to lower mortgage rates. But on the other side, concerns about US debt levels and foreign 'adventures' are keeping volatility high. (Source: Freddie Mac PMMS)
Local News
Within Charleston County inventory is up by about 14% from last year. Meanwhile houses days on market are only growing, showing the avergae homes are sitting for 50-55 days. Overall our market shows stability because price and inventory are still rising. County wide we are in a normal market again- prices are up BUT not spiking, this has given buyers the ability to actually shop around instead of fighting over the only house on the street.
Takeaways
For sellers, the bar is higher: pricing correctly and prepping the home matters again. For buyers, this is the first time in years you can negotiate and actually have a selection.
Fall in Love with Your Home
Cold Weather Checklist
Insulate exposed pipes in attics, crawlspaces, garages, and exterior walls with foam sleeves or heat tape, and disconnect and drain garden hoses and outdoor lines. Drip faucets to avoid frozen pipes.
Seal gaps around windows, doors, AC lines, and wall penetrations with caulk or weatherstripping; add door sweeps to stop drafts at the floor.
Have your furnace or heat pump checked before cold snaps, replace filters regularly, and keep vents clear so the system can handle sudden temperature drops.
Cover plants with tarps to prevent them from dying or bring them inside.
Have batteries charged and extras for backup. Make sure all flashlights work. If you live off well water you should fill your bathtub just in case you lose power.
Spring Listing Prep
Can Spring come any faster?
For homeowners that are looking to sell when the grass starts to get green, the time is now to start prepping your place for listing. Here are some tips to get you started!
Exterior & Curb Appeal: Start with repainting or touching up the front door, trim, and shutters. Update hardware and house numbers if they are dated. Check roof, gutters, and downspouts-clean debris and make visible repairs. Clean up landscaping by removing dead plants, mowing, and mulching.
Interior Cleaning and Decluttering: Spring cleaning is a must! Declutter ALL rooms while organizing closets, cabinets, and storage so the space appears spacious and tidy. Deep cleaning your house is essential. Focus on baseboards, windows, light fixtures, vents, fans, carpet, grout, and appliances (inside and behind).
Local Love
Restaurant Spotlight for the Perfect Night Out
Ironrose
Southbound
Charleston Grill
Circa 1886
Frannie & The Fox
Husk
Magnolia’s
Indaco
Peninsula Grill
Maison
Post House
Melfi’s
Obstinate Daughter
Marble & Fin
Wild Olive
The Establishment
Verns
Coda Del Pesce
Graze
February Events
Matthew Morrison Live
When: February 3, 2026
Where: Charleston Gaillard Center
JUMP: Van Halen Experience
When: February 4, 2026
Where: Charleston Music Hall
Love on the Rocks Cocktail Making Class
When: February 5, 2026
Where: New Realm Brewing with Mike and Thomas
Anti Valentine’s Night Market
When: February 14, 2026
Where: New Realm Brewing
Harambee Dance Company Celebration
When: February 19, 2026
Where: Charleston Gaillard Center
Cocktails and Camellias
When: February 21, 2026 from 3 pm to 5:30 pm
Where: Middleton Place
Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience
When: February 21, 2026
Where: North Charleston Performing Arts Center
Valentine's Weekend
International Wine & Sweets Stroll at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
When: Saturday, February 14 — 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Where: Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, 3550 Ashley River Road
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the beautiful Magnolia gardens while tasting curated international wines paired with bites and live music. **Tickets are available for purchase on the Magnolia Plantation website ahead of time — this is a ticketed event.
Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special ft. “Romeo and Juliet”
When: Friday, February 13 — 6:30 PM
Where: The Unitarian Church, Charleston
Book tickets to this candlelit concert featuring romantic classics including themes from Romeo and Juliet performed by a live string quartet. Tickets can be purchased online.
Charleston 2nd Ward Valentine’s Day Party
When: Saturday, February 14 — 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1519 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.
This neighborhood Valentine’s Party is free to attend, and it’s a fun way to mingle, enjoy music and refreshments, and make new connections. No tickets required — just show up and enjoy!
Romeo & Juliet by South Carolina Ballet
When: Saturday, February 14 — Evening performance
Where: West Beach Conference Center, Kiawah Island
Tickets are available through the ballet’s official ticketing page.
Cupid's Chase 5K
When: Saturday, February 8 — Morning start time
Where: James Island County Park
Kick off February with a healthy Valentine’s-themed run open to runners and walkers. Participants register ahead of time.
Valentine’s Dinner & Comedy at Bohemian Bull
When: Saturday, February 14 — Time TBD
Where: Bohemian Bull, Charleston
Enjoy a fun evening combining a prix-fixe dinner with live comedy. Tickets and reservations are available through Bohemian Bull’s website.
Valentine’s Candle Making at Charleston Candle Co.
When: Saturday, February 14 — 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Where: Charleston Candle Co., Downtown
For a creative and hands-on date night, join this candle making workshop where you can craft custom scent candles. Tickets are available online — each includes all materials and instructions for crafting two candles.
Neighborhood Spotlight
Brickyard Plantation
Located off Highway 17 North, next to Boone Hall Plantation and along Horlbeck Creek, about 10–11 miles from Downtown Charleston. It is roughly 800-900 single-family homes across multiple subsections. Subsections include areas such as The Landing, The Preserve, McLeans Orchard, and The Colonnade, each with its own feel and price point
Brickyard gives you a lot of options with properties that back to ponds, marsh, lakes, or Horlbeck Creek, and several sections offer deep-water or tidal access.
Amenities include two pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer field, playground, walking/biking paths, and several fishing spots. Community boat ramp, dock, and boat storage. The closest beach would be Isle of Palms.
Zoned to top-rated Mt. Pleasant public schools; sources commonly list Jennie Moore Elementary, Laing or Cario Middle, and Wando High (exact zoning can vary by subsection and year, so always verify).
Rough recent closed-sale ranges show roughly mid–400s up to around 1.9M, with a median in the 600s, depending on subsection, size, and water access.
