A bridge away from peninsula Charleston, homebuyers shopping for a second home or a mid-sized primary locale can secure a three-tier townhome counting three bedrooms, access to a creek and unobstructed sights of marsh, priced at $485,000. The house sits in Palmetto Pointe, a less-than-decade-old neighborhood on the way to Folly Beach known as Peas Island.

"The views are great," says Bryan Weatherford, agent with ERA Wilder Realty in Charleston. He sees the residence with underneath garage as a second home, most likely for people who live a few hours away and can zip down to the Lowcountry in an afternoon.

"Greenville, Spartanburg, Charlotte -- they can spend all weekend," Weatherford says. A few owners in the 44-home village, which just completed its last four townhomes, possess docks that offer community use. "(Just) park your boat," he says.

The less than half-a-million dollar townhome at the southern tip of James Island exhibits a prime buying opportunity that's gained traction with Lowcountry property buyers. Many Charleston area house hunters are eager to live on an island, whether a water-ringed town or suburb such as James and Johns islands, a barrier expanse such as Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island, resorts including Kiawah and Seabrook islands and Edisto and Folly beaches or an isolated property split from the mainland such as Pumpkin, Cusabo and Hoopstick islands.

Sometimes the properties don't literally have to be encircled by creeks, lakes or ocean. Weatherford lists a sizable home on Whispering Marsh Drive in James Island's fashionable Stiles Point community. Priced at $1,295,000, the "beautiful" home sets up as a family residence bordering the large-pond sized Kushiwah Lake. It's ideal for parents and "at least two or three kids," he says. The property stands off Harbor View Road a handful of miles from Charleston's historic district. "I wouldn't be surprised if someone who works downtown buys the place," Weatherford says.

Real estate figures confirm the notion that homes and condos on area islands or oceanside locales are hot commodities. Charleston Trident Association of Realtors separates out nine sections as beaches or islands showcasing median home prices in 2016 from $350,000 to $1,350,000 (Sullivan's Island). Only Charleston and Mount Pleasant among non-islands or beaches rise to those rarefied midpoint prices. Most waterside areas boast sizable price increases, with Isle of Palms' 11.5 percent rise from the year before placing second highest and Folly Beach, up 11.1 percent, the third steepest. Since 2012, median home prices on barrier islands and beaches stretched from a 43 percent gain on Daniel Island to a 4.6 percent decline on Seabrook Island, CTAR reports.

In terms of sales, island and beach properties aren't showing as unified growth as they are with home values. Yet Seabrook Island reported a 10.1 percent sales increase last year from 2015, Sullivan's Island rose 10.7 percent and Johns Island surged 21.3 percent to 649 homes traded, the fourth highest percentage boost in the Lowcountry.

The island and beach buzz has become so pronounced that a number of real estate agencies promote Charleston area "islands" as among their specialties.

Ravenel Associates Real Estate Inc. provides information on its website touting "Lowcountry living on the barrier islands" and focusing on James, Johns, Kiawah, Seabrook and Wadmalaw islands.

"Charleston's barrier islands are one of a kind," the agency says. "Old oaks draped with Spanish moss risemajestically from the ground and the area hums with cicadas in the summer, bringing with their southern charm the southern hospitality of the residents in these barrier islands." Ravenel Associates calls on readers, "Let's discover the distinct character of these islands."

Weatherford can relate to the interest in island houses. The Palmetto Pointe townhomes on seven-acre Peas Island are benefiting from a good economy and proximity to downtown Charleston, he says. "These things are selling really fast," Weatherford says.

For more information and photos, go to http://www.postandcourier.com/business/real_estate/jim-parker.

Reach Jim Parker at 843-937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com.

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Water Bank -- Island homes swell in value as acquirers relish barrier retreats, secluded properties wrapped by marsh ... - Charleston Post Courier