Condo Life by Therese Jenkins

Truth: There is nothing AI about this post! Things I see OVER and OVER again on every home inspection!  Tips for Sellers preparing your home for an inspection, and tips if you are a Buyer on what to expect....... Anti tip bracket on the oven.   If I had a dime!  This is an easy fix, and it actually IS code in certain areas of the country, but you'll notice when you get a new oven installed they hand you the paperwork asking you to initial that you decline installing it (just one more tedious step for the installer!) - however, get it installed.  This is a preventive measure pretty much for children in the house.  If you have boiling water on the stove, and they open the oven door and step on it the oven could (?) fall over on top of them.  Better safe than sorry I say!  👌 Seismic Strap and Thermal Expansion Tank on Water Heater.  It is not a "hot" water heater, FYI - huge pet peeve of every Realtor I know when we hear this....you need to check o...

Living on Daniel Island, SC: What It's Really Like (short video below) If you're thinking about living on Daniel Island, SC, I get why. Total population is only 11,183 which gives it the "small town" feel.  It's one of my favorite spots in the whole Charleston area, and I get to show it off to folks all the time. I moved here in 2014 after 10 years living in Mount Pleasant, SC since 2003 and I've never looked back!   So let's skip the fluff and get into what daily life here actually looks like.  It's such a small town fell I tell everyone I need to make sure I wear my lipstick to Publix because I'm sure I'll run into somebody I know! Bike Trails, Jogging/Walking Trails, Water-Wrapped Community Daniel Island sits right between the Cooper and Wando Rivers, and you can feel it everywhere you go. There are over 20 miles of walking and biking paths that wind through the neighborhoods, so you don't need a car for everything. Grab your coffee, h...

New Condo Mortgage Rules: What Charleston Owners & Buyers Need to Know By Thérèse Jenkins If you own a condo, or you're hoping to buy one on Daniel Island or anywhere around Charleston, there's a mortgage change worth knowing about. Starting August 3, 2026, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are getting rid of their "quick look" condo reviews. That means more lenders will need to dig deep into a building's finances before they'll approve a loan. I don't want y'all to panic. Well-run buildings should still qualify just fine. But I do want you to understand what's coming, so you're not caught off guard — whether you're buying, selling, or just living happily in your condo right now. What's Actually Changing Before August 3rd, a lot of condo loans could skip the deep dive. If the building was already established and the loan met certain requirements, lenders could use a shortcut review instead of digging into every detail. That shortcut is goi...

This is part 1 of a series I am doing on the Daniel Island Condo Market which will answer specific questions on the condo lifestyle, and if it is right for you.  Here is the overview of Daniel Island Condos that can help you choose which one may suit your needs.  The condos on Daniel Island are centrally located to the waterfront of the Wando River where you can catch the ferry to downtown Charleston, and they are within the central village of the island close to the restaurants and shopping!   Daniel Island offers several condominium communities, each with its own lifestyle and amenities.  Daniels Landing offers one- to three-bedroom condos generally ranging from approximately $290,000 to $750,000 , with a saltwater pool, hot tub, clubhouse and fitness center, but no elevators .  Pier View features elevators, secured garage parking, a pool and fitness center, with prices generally ranging from the mid-$400,000s to approximately $1.1 million .  200 R...

Charleston Real Estate Market Update: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know This Summer The Charleston real estate market continues to evolve, creating opportunities for both buyers and sellers who understand today's conditions. While we are no longer seeing the frantic pace of the pandemic market, well-priced homes continue to sell, and desirable communities remain in strong demand. Today's buyers are more selective than they were a few years ago. Higher mortgage rates have made affordability a greater consideration, which means condition, pricing, and presentation matter more than ever. Sellers who price their homes based on current market conditions—not yesterday's headlines—are still achieving excellent results. Daniel Island Continues to Be One of Charleston's Most Desirable Communities Daniel Island remains one of the premier places to live in the Charleston area. With its walkable lifestyle, waterfront parks, miles of trails, restaurants, shops, community events, ...

Welcome to Charleston Living By Therese Jenkins Real Estate Welcome! I'm so glad you're here. Whether you're relocating to the Charleston area, buying your first home, selling a property, or simply looking to learn more about one of the country's most desirable places to live, you've come to the right place. I'm Therese Jenkins, Broker/Owner of Therese Jenkins Real Estate, and I've spent more than two decades helping buyers and sellers navigate the Charleston real estate market. As both a local resident and a real estate professional, I believe the best decisions come from having accurate information—not sales pressure. This blog was created to be your trusted resource for everything related to living in Charleston and the surrounding communities. Here you'll find articles about: Buying and selling homes in today's market Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, and Charleston neighborhoods Condominiums, HOAs, and waterfront living Relocating to t...