Jewel of the Week on Lake Keowee | 729 Navigators Pointe

Disclaimer: This is not my listing. The property is listed by Gregory T. Coutu with Howard Hanna Allen Tate Lake Keowee Seneca. I would love the opportunity to represent the buyer for this beautiful Lake Keowee home. NOW TAKING BACK UPS.  IF YOU REALLY LIKED THIS ONE, YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO WRITE AN OFFER INCASE THE FIRST ONE DOES NOT WORK OUT.  

As I preview homes around Lake Keowee for buyers seeking mountain views, boat slips, and homes designed for entertaining, every once in a while I walk into a property that truly stands out. This week, 729 Navigators Pointe is my Jewel of the Week on Lake Keowee.

Dreaming of a home near L...

How a Survey Can Change a Land Sale

I recently closed on a tract that was believed to be 343 acres. After a survey, it was sold as 228 acres. That is not a small adjustment, and it changed everything.

The seller was firm at $5,500 per acre and paid for the survey, hoping there was more land than the county records showed. Instead, the survey revealed:

330 acres identified
2.3 acres in overlap
Final usable acreage: 228 acres without a cloud on title
The buyer was satisfied with a clean, clear purchase. The seller, understandably, was not. This property had been taxed for generations as part of a historic land grant dating back to King George, yet only what could legally be transferred was ...

We are pleased to share that 441 Mountain Sunset Trail in Tamassee is now sold. This beautiful mountain and lake-area property went under contract in less than 30 days with a strong all-cash offer and a quick closing.

Located near scenic Lake Cheohee, this property captured buyer attention with its peaceful setting, natural surroundings, and access to outdoor recreation. Buyers today are looking for lifestyle as much as they are looking for square footage, and this home offered the opportunity to enjoy mountain living immediately.

The new owner will be able to spend the summer on and around the lake, taking full advantage of the quiet beauty that makes Tamassee so special. As the season...

Discover 441 Mountain Sunset Trail: A Tranquil Cheohee Lake Retreat
Nestled in the heart of Tamassee, South Carolina, 441 Mountain Sunset Trail offers 150 feet of pristine waterfront on Cheohee Lake, fed by a bold trout stream. Surrounded by National Forest and framed by soaring mountain peaks, this property is a nature lover’s paradise—perfect for swimming, kayaking, or simply soaking in the stunning views.

This custom-built home, thoughtfully designed by the seller, blends rustic charm with modern comfort. Featuring three bedrooms and 2.5 baths, the layout provides privacy with bedrooms on two levels. The primary bedroom on the main level is paired with 1.5 baths, making daily livin...

Reduce the Price or Keep the Property? A Seller’s Guide to Days on Market, Price Bands, and Real Buyer Behavior
In Upstate SC, the market is hyper-local. Price, location, and condition decide your outcome—every time. You can’t move the property, but you can improve condition and adjust price. The decision is binary: keep the property at your price, or price it to sell.

Step 1: Read Your Days on Market (DOM) Like a Pro
0–14 days: This is your “first impression” window. If showings are slow, you’re likely above the buyer pool or outside key search bands.
15–30 days: If you have traffic but no offers, the market likes the lifestyle but not the number (or a fixable condition item is blocking ac...

Building in the South: Why Your Plans May Need Adjusting
If you’re moving to Upstate South Carolina with house plans from another part of the country, you may be surprised to learn that not everything translates. Our mountains, lakes, and climate shape how homes are designed here. What works in Michigan or New York doesn’t always make sense in Oconee or Pickens County.

Here are a few key differences to keep in mind:

Steel Beams Aren’t Always Required
In snowy regions, homes are engineered with steel beams and extra load support to carry the weight of heavy snow. Here in the Golden Corner, snow isn’t a factor. That means builders can often use engineered wood instead of steel, saving...

Selling a home quickly can feel like a victory, but it’s often not as simple as it sounds. Our recent sale of a beautiful golf course home serves as the perfect example of how great teamwork, attention to detail, and a little extra effort can make a huge difference.

The Home: A Prime Golf Course Property
The property in question was a stunning home overlooking a pristine golf course. With spacious rooms, scenic views, and the peace that only a golf course setting can offer, it was a perfect fit for the right buyer.

But as with any listing, there’s more to selling than just showing the home. Even the most gorgeous homes need a little love before they’re ready for new owners.

Cash B...

Your Listing Didn’t Sell—Now What? A Smarter Strategy for Round Two
Selling your home can feel like a straightforward process. You imagine the "sold" sign going up quickly, the moving boxes stacked neatly by the front door, and your next chapter falling into place. But when your home sits on the market and eventually doesn’t sell, it can be more than just a bump in the road—it can feel like a real setback.

You’ve put time, energy, and perhaps a good deal of money into making your home market-ready. You’ve cleaned, staged, updated, and made sure every corner of your home looks its best. And still, no offers, no sale, and now your listing has expired. It's natural to wonder: What went wrong...

Why a Professional Photographer Makes All the Difference in Real Estate

In today's fast-paced, online-first real estate market, the photos buyers see online are often their first—and sometimes only—impression of a property. That’s why the quality of your listing photos can make or break a sale.

A professional real estate photographer doesn’t just take pictures—they tell a story. They understand how to use lighting, angles, and composition to highlight the best features of a home while downplaying any imperfections. The result? Images that make buyers stop scrolling and take a closer look.

Compare this to smartphone photos taken quickly between appointments. They often suffer from poo...

From Offer to Close: A Simple Timeline for Buyers in Today’s Market
Posted: May 16, 2025

Buying a home is exciting — but what happens after your offer is accepted? Here’s a clear timeline to help buyers in today’s Upstate SC market know what to expect from start to finish.

Step 1: Submit an Offer (Day 1)
Once you’ve found “the one,” your agent writes and submits the offer. Negotiations can take a few hours or a couple of days.

Step 2: Under Contract (Day 2–3)
Offer accepted, contract signed, and you’re under contract. Earnest money is deposited, and the clock starts ticking on inspections.

Step 3: Inspections & Due Diligence (Days 3–10)
This is your chance to check for issues. A home inspe...

Top 5 Reasons Buyers Shouldn’t Be Scared of a Septic System

If you're shopping for a home in the Upstate SC countryside, you’ll likely come across homes on septic systems. That’s a red flag for some buyers — but it shouldn’t be. A well-maintained septic system can be more affordable and reliable than a city sewer.

Here are five reasons not to be afraid of a home with a septic system:

1. Red Clay = Great Drainage
One of the hidden advantages of living in the Upstate? Our red clay soil actually makes for excellent septic drain fields. The density helps with proper filtration and keeps systems stable over time.

2. No Monthly Sewer Bill
With a septic system, you're not paying a city or county...

???? What Does “As Is” Actually Mean?
An “as is” listing simply means the seller is not agreeing to make any repairs or updates before closing. The property is being sold in its current condition — take it or leave it.

This doesn’t mean the home is unlivable. It could be a rental property the owner doesn’t want to renovate, an inherited estate, or a house that just needs cosmetic TLC. But it does shift some of the responsibility onto the buyer to do thorough due diligence.

???? Inspections Are Still On the Table
Even when a home is sold “as is,” buyers still have the right to conduct inspections — and I always recommend that you do.

A licensed home inspector can reveal issues like founda...

This charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath home is located on a spacious 1/2-acre lot by beautiful Lake Keowee.

1.     You can quickly get to the lake at the public landing at Cane Creek, which is excellent for boating and other water activities.

2.     This home is designed for low-maintenance living with no carpet.

3.     The front yard has fresh landscaping and lush new sod, making it a great place to hang out.

4.     The exterior has durable vinyl siding and a metal roof, so you can spend less time on upkeep and more time enjoying your home.

5.      The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and flows into the laundry room, making household chores easy and efficient.

6.     The maste...