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Johns Island Resists Charleston, SC Real Estate Market Tumble

As property values in Charleston and the surrounding cities tumble, they stay remarkably strong on Johns Island

Summerville, SC (PRWEB) April 21, 2009 – February home prices for existing homes fell 16 percent in the southern states, according to the National Association of Realtors. While prices are remaining low throughout the country, some areas are seeing slight rebounds, but this is not the case in the south.

Once popular cities like Charleston, SC are seeing prices for homes continue to plummet amidst this economic crisis. As people wait to see what the government stimulus and bailout plans will bring, houses sit on the market longer and longer, with lower and lower prices. As more houses are placed on the market, the market becomes saturated with available properties, and this pushes the selling price even lower as buyers are tempted to bring extremely low offers.

While Charleston is one of the harder hit areas in this real estate slump, its close neighbor, Johns Island, has not been hit in the same way. Johns Island is the fourth largest island on the east cost, but it maintains a relatively low population density. Part of the reason for the small population is the fact that the island has been isolated from the mainland for most of its history. It was not until the recent addition of modern bridges connecting the two that people could come and go freely form the island. This small population means there are more marsh front and water view properties on Johns Island than on the mainland and surrounding islands.

Homebuyers who are looking to escape the downward cycle of Charleston real estate are looking to homes on Johns Island. Johns Island real estate includes a number of upscale properties that are gaining popularity among homebuyers. The area is popular both for its rustic feel and the fact that it is located near the Seabrook and Kiawah Island golf resorts.

When asked about current interest in the island, Ben Wiese of MovetoJohnsIsland.com said, “We have Johns Island relocation packets flying out the door.” This local visitor’s authority went on to say, “People are realizing capital gains in real estate aren’t a guarantee like we thought in the 90s and are looking to future-proof their next home purchase.”

Many who move to Johns Island come from Charleston, which is just five minutes away. While the commute into the city from the island is no longer a challenge with the addition of modern roads connecting the two, finding Johns Island real estate is not always easy. The island has few large neighborhoods like those found in Charleston, because the residents have kept zoning rules tight in order to preserve their rural, rustic lifestyle.

The Johns Island relocation packet offered by MovetoJohnsIsland.com is a helpful tool for those interested in snagging a historic, upscale home on the island that seems to be immune to the roller coaster ride of the current real estate market. Charleston homeowners who move to homes on Johns Island may take a loss on their existing properties, but they will be upgrading to a home that will likely retain and increase its value far into the future.

Home and Family

Johns Island Resists Charleston, SC Real Estate Market Tumble

As property values in Charleston and the surrounding cities tumble, they stay remarkably strong on Johns Island

Summerville, SC (PRWEB) April 21, 2009 – February home prices for existing homes fell 16 percent in the southern states, according to the National Association of Realtors. While prices are remaining low throughout the country, some areas are seeing slight rebounds, but this is not the case in the south.

Once popular cities like Charleston, SC are seeing prices for homes continue to plummet amidst this economic crisis. As people wait to see what the government stimulus and bailout plans will bring, houses sit on the market longer and longer, with lower and lower prices. As more houses are placed on the market, the market becomes saturated with available properties, and this pushes the selling price even lower as buyers are tempted to bring extremely low offers.

While Charleston is one of the harder hit areas in this real estate slump, its close neighbor, Johns Island, has not been hit in the same way. Johns Island is the fourth largest island on the east cost, but it maintains a relatively low population density. Part of the reason for the small population is the fact that the island has been isolated from the mainland for most of its history. It was not until the recent addition of modern bridges connecting the two that people could come and go freely form the island. This small population means there are more marsh front and water view properties on Johns Island than on the mainland and surrounding islands.

Homebuyers who are looking to escape the downward cycle of Charleston real estate are looking to homes on Johns Island. Johns Island real estate includes a number of upscale properties that are gaining popularity among homebuyers. The area is popular both for its rustic feel and the fact that it is located near the Seabrook and Kiawah Island golf resorts.

When asked about current interest in the island, Ben Wiese of MovetoJohnsIsland.com said, “We have Johns Island relocation packets flying out the door.” This local visitor’s authority went on to say, “People are realizing capital gains in real estate aren’t a guarantee like we thought in the 90s and are looking to future-proof their next home purchase.”

Many who move to Johns Island come from Charleston, which is just five minutes away. While the commute into the city from the island is no longer a challenge with the addition of modern roads connecting the two, finding Johns Island real estate is not always easy. The island has few large neighborhoods like those found in Charleston, because the residents have kept zoning rules tight in order to preserve their rural, rustic lifestyle.

The Johns Island relocation packet offered by MovetoJohnsIsland.com is a helpful tool for those interested in snagging a historic, upscale home on the island that seems to be immune to the roller coaster ride of the current real estate market. Charleston homeowners who move to homes on Johns Island may take a loss on their existing properties, but they will be upgrading to a home that will likely retain and increase its value far into the future.

Technology

Cease-Fire in U.S. Agencies’ Feud Clears Path for Commercial Ocean Wave Energy

As the Obama team focuses on renewable energy projects, more money is designated for the seas

Summerville, SC (PRWEB) April 19, 2009 – Earlier in the month, a longstanding disagreement between Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and the chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, John Wellington, settled a longstanding dispute regarding regulations and responsibilities surrounding renewable energy projects on the Outer Continental Shelf.

As part of the Memorandum of Understanding, development of ocean wave energy is now possible. Prior to the agreement there was a misunderstanding as to which agency would govern this technology. The agreement gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission this responsibility.

Interest in ocean wave energy and other sea-based energy options is growing because of the vast size of the ocean. Waves are constantly in motion, and in theory this motion can be converted into a continuous energy source.

Perfecting the technology necessary to convert wave energy into electricity would lessen the country’s dependence on foreign sources of energy, which cannot be controlled. It also creates jobs, as the technology is being developed and put into use within the United States. Like all renewable resources, ocean wave energy does not have as much of a negative impact on the environment. It creates no carbon emissions or dangerous waste products.

Ocean wave energy is not a new consideration as an alternative energy source. In fact, scientists have been trying to harness ocean waves since the 1890s, but past technologies struggled to overcome the many challenges faced on the sea.

The large amount of material needed to create the structures in wave energy converters is one drawback to this technology. Corrosion is another battle that scientists must overcome, as saltwater is highly corrosive. Underwater components tend to attract barnacles, which hinder their operation. The devices must be strong enough to withstand the strong storms that occur at sea. Researchers are also looking into more effective ways to transport the energy to shore where it can be used.

As a result of this new agreement, renewable energy company, Inerjy has received the green light to continue research into wave energy converters, which are devices that can take the nearly perpetual energy in ocean waves and convert it into usable electricity. This is a strategic move, because new technologies must be developed in order to overcome the problems associated with this renewable energy source.

Inerjy is working to perfect a new technology known as WaveTork, which overcomes many of these challenges. Not only does WaveTork have the potential to provide a renewable energy source, but it also appears to be able an affordable option.

Jamie Schlinkman of Inerjy stated, “We believe under $4/watt capacity is achievable initially on a commercial scale and ultimately that the technology will compete with on-shore wind.” Inerjy is in the process of attaining a patent for the WaveTork technology, and once that is secured, the company will release more information about the technology.

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