A lake house on Lake Oconee, a Charleston single house or a mountain house in Maryland

We are always hearing how the real estate market is doing, but it is almost always focused on national real estate trends. For the majority of us, what matters most is how things are going in our local market. I think it can be helpful and fun to compare homes in our market to homes nationally. From time to time, I’ll be comparing what you can buy here with real examples of what you can buy in other parts of the country. And, to give credit where it is due, totally borrowing this idea from the New York Times weekly feature (and discover what you can get for a million in 3 additional locations).

Greensboro, GA  |  $1,049,000
A four bedroom, three bathroom mountain style lake house built in 1988, on a .90 acre lot with 150 feet of lake frontage

This home is located on the coveted Richland side of Lake Oconee just a short boat ride to the Ritz Carlton and only minutes to historic downtown Greensboro, several championship golf courses and downtown Madison.

Size: 2,943 sqft

Price per square foot: $356

Indoors: As you enter the open concept living room/dining room and kitchen, you immediately notice the two story windows and double french doors that highlight the stunning views of Lake Oconee. There is a full bathroom on every floor of this home. The main level also has two large bedrooms. The vaulted ceilings highlight the spacious loft that can be a bedroom and a hang out space/game room.  On the terrace level, enjoy another family room with a door to the lake side of the property. There are also two bedrooms, a massive laundry room plus a large storage room.

Outdoors: This gorgeous property in Richland has everything you would want for your lake house: double french doors leading to an expansive deck with stunning lake views, an easy stroll from the house to the lake, newer seawall and dock, plus multiple boat lifts and a detached storage building. All located in a private, quiet neighborhood that includes new tennis courts.

HOA: $25/mth

Taxes: $5,145 (estimated)

Contact: Christine Tucker, 706-369-1987

Charleston, SC  |  $999,997
A four bedroom, four bathroom Charleston Single House built in 2015, on a 4,741 sq ft lot

This home is located in desired Freeman's Point inside charming Seaside Plantation in the heart of James Island just a short drive from Downtown Charleston, Folly Beach, West Ashley, and Johns Island.

Size: 2,584 sqft

Price per square foot: $387

Indoors: Featuring double porches and sweeping views of the marsh, this house has high ceilings and lovely wood and ceramic flooring. The beautiful kitchen is open to the living and dining areas, making it the perfect place to gather with family and friends.  There are four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, and a bonus room on the third level that could be used as a mother-in-law suite, exercise room, game room, or extra guest quarters. The primary bedroom has a walk-in closet and an ensuite with double sinks and a tiled shower.

Outdoors: Outside there is plenty of off-street parking for your cars and golf cart, and a detached garage for extra storage. Enjoy the neighborhood’s amenities that include a crab dock with kayak launch, boat launch with floating dock, pool, pavilion with fireplace, picnic shelter and fire pit, children's playground, dog park, and abundant walking trails with creek-side views.

HOA: $100/mth

Taxes: $2,807 (estimated)

Contact: Amanda Wilson, ExpRealty: (843) 259-2184‬; https://amandawilson.exprealty.com

McHenry, MD  |  $1,099,900
A five bedroom, four bathroom log mountain house built in 2012, on a .54 acre lot

Directly adjoining the prestigious Lodestone Golf Course this mountain retreat is centrally located just minutes to State Parks, Wisp Resort and Deep Creek Lake.

Size: 3,723 sqft

Price per square foot: $295

Indoors: This house has a wide open floor plan with vaulted ceilings that open up to the loft above letting the natural light shine in. The modern kitchen has granite counter tops and wrap around bar seating. The primary bedroom w/ensuite is on the main level. Upstairs there are 2 bedrooms with a shared bath along with the spacious loft. Enjoy the massive wrap around decking accompanied by a fully enclosed sunroom equipped with a wood burning fireplace.  The daylight basement has a living room, 2 beds/1 bath, a game area and wet bar. Both the main and lower level living rooms have their own gas fireplace. The wide hardwood plank flooring, timber accents and rustic finishes throughout give this luxury home that “cabin in the woods” feel, without sacrificing all your creature comforts.

Outdoors: Surrounded by trees, mountainscape and an adjoining golf course, the property has plenty of parking and an additional storage building. The front and side porches along with the wrap around deck and fire pit provide many opportunities to enjoy the scenery.

HOA: $54/month

Taxes: $7,800 (estimated)

Contact: Jon Bell, Railey Realty: (301) 501-0735‬; https://jonbell.railey.com