Charleston SC Area Condos

Buying a condo in Charleston is a great way to break into the market and get a place in a desirable location for less.  If you’re a busy person with little time to maintain your home yourself, a Charleston condo may be the right purchase for you. Explore our Charleston condo listings to find out if the right condo is waiting for you.

Condos for Sale by Area

Downtown Charleston Condos

Condos for sale Charleston PeninsulaLiving in a condo downtown, exemplifies the easy & fun life. No maintenance, beautiful water views, walk to the theatre & shops, world-class restaurants- all within walking distance to your home. You can be right in the heart of all that Historic Charleston has to offer, all from your front door. Step back in time and forget driving- walk to everything you need. Keep in mind to ask us which condos come with off-street parking spaces! Search downtown condos

Daniel Island Condos

Daniel Island condosWhat is the most affordable way to get onto one of the most expensive islands in Charleston?  Buying a condo on Daniel Island.  This is a fantastic entrypoint to get on one of Charleston's highest-priced areas, as opposed to buying a single-family home. There are a number of condo communities on Daniel Island to choose from, all having workout facilities, flex office space, plenty of garage parking, and walk to shopping, grocery stores, or places to eat! Search Daniel Island condos

Folly Beach Condos

Folly Beach condos for saleCondo living at the beach! Imagine waking up to the sound of waves crashing outside your condo sliding glass doors. The morning views of seagulls flying by, dolphins playing in the surf, and the smell of salt in the air.  This is Folly Beach condo living. Low to no maintenance, walkable to Center Street for drinks or dinner, or walk downstairs and take a long walk on the beach in the evenings.  Folly has a number of condo communities to choose from- either right on the ocean, or a short bike ride away.  Be sure to ask us monthly regime fees for each condo community, as well as rental income if you'd like to buy a condo a Folly Beach as a rental investment! Search Folly Beach condos

Isle of Palms Condos

Isle of Palms condosCondo living on Isle of Palms means no long bike rides to reach the ocean.  All of the condo communities are right there, along the beach. Ice cream shops, fantastic restaurants, surf shops, and nightlife are all within walking distance. Amazingly, for such an expensive island- condos can still be found at affordable prices. Leave your car in your own parking spot within the community, and just walk to everything you need. A few of the communities have swimming pools if you're tired of the salt water dip in the ocean! Search IOP condos

James Island Condos

James Island condos for saleIt's all about location with James Island condos!  10 minutes to Folly Beach, 10 minutes to downtown Charleston.  You truly can't go wrong with the location, the affordability, and the higher number of condo communities available on James Island.  Plenty of those that don't want to pay the premiums for downtown or the beaches can still be so close to either, at an affordable price.  There are also plenty of College of Charleston students and MUSC students that enjoy the easy commute to downtown. Search James Island condos

Mount Pleasant Condos

Mount Pleasant condominiumsMount Pleasant seems to be one of the most popular locations for condominium living.  Whether it's at the foot of the Ravenel Bridge overlooking the Charleston Harbor, or a community with large-scale amenities (pools, office space, fitness, gathering rooms, or tennis)- Mount Pleasant is sure to please.  Due to the large area of Mount Pleasant, you can live close to Sullivans Island or Isle of Palms, or border downtown Charleston. Either way- you could be 5 minutes from each. Since the area is also higher-than-average in prices, it's a nice means to get into the area if you want to keep your budget in mind. Search Mt. Pleasant condos

West Ashley Condos

West Ashley condos for saleCondos in West Ashley are a fantastic option for all different types: Those going to college or work that want to live within 5 minutes of downtown Charleston, those looking to get close enough to downtown Charleston and the beaches without having to pay higher prices, and those looking to retire or live in one of the fastest growing areas with plenty of shops, restaurants, and nightlife! A large number of condominium communities in West Ashley, so there are always options. Search West Ashley condos

Charleston SC Condos for Sale

Condos in Charleston: A Low-Maintenance Alternative

Buying a single-family home in historic downtown Charleston may be beyond your means, but buying a condo in a converted heritage building may not be – and may appreciate above and beyond its initial value because of its prime location.  There are significant advantages of owning a Charleston condo that is close to work, recreational opportunities, and/or amenities.  You can save on gas and get more exercise by walking/cycling where you need to go.

If you’re looking for a place to call home that doesn’t require much in the way of maintenance, a Charleston condo or townhouse is usually the way to go, as most complexes take care of maintenance and repair through the building fund set aside for such things.  A well-run complex will have specific monies allocated for repair/replacement of the various parts of the building and maintenance of the building and any amenities featured in the complex.

Condo amenities can range from a group meeting room or clubhouse to tennis courts, swimming pools and fitness facilities.  Well-maintained facilities can save you hundreds of dollars a year in gym and pool membership fees.  There are also advantages to having them right outside your door, eliminating the time you would spend in commuting.

Buying a Charleston condo isn’t the same as buying a Charleston single-family home.  A condo is shared ownership among the people investing in the complex.  Think about it as owning a percentage of the whole complex. You should carefully inspect the complex’s CC&Rs (covenants, conditions and restrictions) to make sure that you can abide by the rules.  A thorough inspection of the building and your prospective home is another important step.  Ask to see the budget for the complex and sit in on a meeting or two of the condo board.  Chat up some of the residents and ask their opinion about living there.

Finding the Right Condo in Charleston

Fortunately, we have an abundance of condos in Charleston due to the limited space to continue to build single family homes close to downtown Charleston. So when thinking of buying a condo in Charleston, the main thought I have is: what is your purpose? Is location the first thought that comes to mind, or is it lifestyle? If you're retiring in Charleston, then you want to consider lifestyle as well as other folks that you will be surrounded by.

Retiring and Looking for a Condo

Do you want to live in The Tides, which are high-end condos in Mount Pleasant, just off the Ravenel Bridge to Downtown? Or are you a beach-goer and want to live along the Atlantic Ocean on Isle of Palms or Folly Beach? Others just want to avoid having to drive altogether and walk to anywhere they want to be, downtown. Wherever your spot, please ask me about the pros and cons of each location. Which area has the most traffic? What vibe does each island have? What are the 'safest' areas downtown?

MUSC or College of Charleston Condos

Planning to take up residency in Charleston for MUSC? Parents or students- how about a condo close enough to the College of Charleston, that is safe, where you can walk to anywhere you want to be? How is Rutledge Avenue? What about King Street or Calhoun? All of these areas have little pockets of differences to what exactly you're looking for. Finding the right condo is key! Fortunately, you need for me to run the numbers and show you how buying a condo for 2 years, or 4 years, can be quite the profitable circumstance after you sell. Why not purchase a place for 4 years, have 1 or a few other roommates help pay the mortgage every month, and then sell for a profit by the time you sell. I've had parents and students do this time and time again in Charleston- and it truly is great investment advice.

Should I Buy a House, or a Condo?

There are several differences between buying a condo and a single-family home. One of the main differences is the ownership structure. When you buy a condo, you are buying a percentage of a multi-unit building, and you own everything within the walls of your unit. However, you share ownership of common areas, such as the lobby, gym, or pool, with the other owners in the building. In contrast, when you buy a single-family home, you own the entire property, including the land, the house, and any outbuildings or amenities on the property.

Another major difference between the two is the level of maintenance and responsibility. When you own a single-family home, you are responsible for maintaining and repairing everything on the property, including the roof, the plumbing, and the landscaping. In a condo, the homeowners association (HOA) is typically responsible for maintaining and repairing the common areas and the exterior of the building, so you only have to worry about maintaining the interior of your unit.

Another difference is the cost. In general, condos tend to be less expensive than single-family homes, because you are only buying the interior of your unit and not the land or any amenities on the property. Additionally, because the HOA is responsible for maintaining the common areas, condo owners typically pay monthly HOA fees to cover these expenses.

In terms of location, condos are often found in more urban or densely populated areas, while single-family homes are more commonly found in suburban or rural areas. This can be a major factor for some buyers, depending on their preferences and lifestyle.

Overall, the decision to buy a condo or a single-family home will depend on your individual needs, preferences, and budget. It's important to carefully consider all of these factors before making a decision.


Contact Carolina One for more information about Charleston condos