Confused on relocating

[artzeeann]

Well I thank you all for the information. I need to research the taxes and insurance in MT Pleasant to see if it is affordable. I have to say, my "Northern Mayberry", Narragsnsett, RI, does have an influx of crime during the summer tourist season. This may be true of Mt. Pleasant.

I have looked at houses on line to see the prices and it looks like I could find what I am looking for in the 260K range. I plan to pay cash for it, based on the sale of my home which I plan on selling in the spring. Keeping my fingers crossed. Now I have to factor insurance and taxes to see if it is at all feasible.

Thank you, All,
Ann

[DJShymansky]

Yearly tax on a $260k home in Mount Pleasant shouldn't be more than $900. Insurance would depend on location and claim history of the home. If it's in a mandatory flood zone, or wind pool east of Hwy 17, insurance costs could be quite large.

[Luvsdabeach]

Originally Posted by DJShymansky

Yearly tax on a $260k home in Mount Pleasant shouldn't be more than $900. Insurance would depend on location and claim history of the home. If it's in a mandatory flood zone, or wind pool east of Hwy 17, insurance costs could be quite large.

I have a feeling coastal insurance costs will go up thanks to Ike. It seems that every time there is a very destuctive hurricane the insurance companies raise their prices.

[artzeeann]

Yes Ike, pun intended. Does anyone know the average cost of flood and hurricane insurance?

I have been googling for hours but am getting sales pitches. So I have to factor, hurricane/wind, flood, property insurance and taxes on a 260k home.

Any good estimates out there.

I know for 260k, i will not be water view.

thanks everyone,
Ann

[Luvsdabeach]

Originally Posted by artzeeann

Yes Ike, pun intended. Does anyone know the average cost of flood and hurricane insurance?

I have been googling for hours but am getting sales pitches. So I have to factor, hurricane/wind, flood, property insurance and taxes on a 260k home.

Any good estimates out there.

I know for 260k, i will not be water view.

thanks everyone,
Ann

I live in Goose Creek (20 miles from the coast)and our home is worth that amount but we do not include the land in the amount we insure the home for. We pay about 1200 a year, we are not in a flood zone and we added earthquake insurance.

[wildwoodflower]

some of the posts here are scary since we are moving to james island to what i thought is a nice area in about 3 weeks! i am curious as to which neighborhood the above poster is talking about too!

[c99]

Originally Posted by Jim3310

OK, could all be true. Never answered my question though. Where do you live?

"'Purportedly Robbed";
"I heard that from a couple of different neighbors"
"someone's truck tool box was broken into and purportedly"
"These incidents refer to news stories I either read in the Post and Courier or heard on TV"

I stand by my prior post so far.
I'll let the others decide.
jim

Reading the newspaper or checking our crimeweb.net will verify the info provided, with one exception. I couldn't find the P&C article about the person bound and gagged in their home; perhaps my memory failed me or I didn't use the correct search terms. The info below was copied and pasted from the P&C and also crimeweb.net. No bull!

As an aside - This info is not meant to scare anyone out of relocating to the area, but to remind people to be cautious and prudent. OK, and also to prove my point. Obtain info about the area from reliable third-party sources, and not just people who have something to gain from doing business with you. This is a sample from James Island. I don't know the best way to do a search on crime in other areas of town (Summerville, Goose Creek, Mt. Pleasant, etc.)

Furthermore, I am not going to divulge where I reside in a public forum.

Moderator cut: copyright violation

[c99]

Originally Posted by artzeeann

Yes Ike, pun intended. Does anyone know the average cost of flood and hurricane insurance?

I have been googling for hours but am getting sales pitches. So I have to factor, hurricane/wind, flood, property insurance and taxes on a 260k home.

Any good estimates out there.

I know for 260k, i will not be water view.

thanks everyone,
Ann

The only way to know for sure is to call a local (to this area) insurance agent and ask for a quote (Google Yahoo Yellow Pages and type in a local zip code and search for insurance).

Insurance costs can vary significantly depending on where you live, the elevation of your house (how high it is built above the flood plain, I believe), if you are in a flood plain, if you are in the wind/hail zone, plus other factors (I don't know what those other factors are - I'm not in the insurance industry - I just do my research).

Wind/hail insurance is EXPENSIVE if you are in a wind/hail zone (learn more here: South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association).

FLOOD insurance can also be very expensive if you are in an high risk coastal flood zone (e.g. zone V). Google FEMA Flood zones (or go here: FEMA Map Service Center - FEMA Flood Zone Designations) to learn about flood zone designations.

Depending on where you live you may wish to also consider Earthquake insurance. There are major fault lines in the area.

Another thing to consider is that if you have a total loss of property most Wind/Hail policies, perhaps other types of policies as well, have deductibles as percentages, not just dollar amounts. For example (keeping in mind I am not an insurance agent), if your house is insured for $200,000 and you have a total loss with a 5% deductible, you would have to pay the first $10,000 out of pocket, I believe. That would be something else I would verify with an insurance agent and see in black and white before signing anything.

[Pattig]

Artzeeann
I know how difficult it is to leave the safety of your hometown to better your quality of life. I, too, am from RI (Scituate) and we will be moving to the Charleston area as soon as we sell our home. We visited Charleston, Mt Pleasant, James Island, John's Island and Summerville. I was a little concerned before we took our visit there last May, but after going there all I can tell you is it's a wonderful place. We felt very safe everywhere we went. Sure there are some seedy areas, but there are even seedy areas in Newport RI, so you just educate yourself and stay away from those areas. The world we live in today isn't totally safe anywhere. Just be aware and use common sense and you'll be fine. The people are wonderful down there. Most people I met were extremely helpful and courteous to me and my husband. Mt Pleasant or James Island would be a great location if you want to go to the local colleges. I too am leaving RI because of the high cost of living and the extreme winters. MY husband is disabled and can't tolerate the cold weather so hopefully in the spring we can sell our home and go down to wonderful Charleston. Before I left on my trip to Charleston I was warned that some southerners are leary of Yankees moving down there and trying to change everything about the south, but that was not my impression when I got down there. There are many transplants down there so the mix of locals and transplants was actually very nice. I wish you the best of luck with your health issues and your potential move to Charleston. At least go for a visit and I'm sure you will fall in love with the place like I did. PM me if you have any questions.
Take care...
Patty