Real estate companies courting tourist trade

Two real estate companies have opened up shop on the peninsula with hopes that tourists will invest in homes instead of crafts or kitsch from the market.

Last week, Dunes Properties celebrated the opening of sixth location, at 214 King St. The company specializes in vacation homes and mainly island-based real estate.

President Randy Walker said the company wants to court out-of-town buyers who are considering moving to the Lowcountry. "We know they already like Charleston because they're here," he said.

The new store, across the street from the Saks Fifth Avenue, is in a good spot to catch wanderers, he said. Before the location even had signs, agents welcomed more than 60 visitors.

Also, Richard Davis of Trademark Properties opened an office only a few steps away.

His office started a concierge service, with drivers taking visitors from the downtown location to listings all over town.

Davis said the company has taken in more walk-in visitors in one week downtown than during 15 years on James Island's Folly Road.

"It blows my mind how many people make a million-dollar decision based on not having to drive over bridge," he said.

Boosting development

Landmark Enterprises, a Mount Pleasant-based commercial development firm, has created a new arm of the company that will push development projects.

The new division, called Landmark Development, will be led by Jason Ward, who joined the company in December. Previously he worked for a real estate holding company in Jacksonville, Fla.

The company specializes in offices and warehouse projects for light industrial and distribution.

Rent or own?

Oops. In last week's column, I wrote that the Regus Group, which provides fully stocked offices, leases and owns its space in the Bowman Center in Mount Pleasant.

Which is it?

Regus leases the 20,000 square foot space from an ownership group called Bowman Center Partners. Shoreline International Real Estate, which is owned by the same group, handles the company's leasing.

Reach Katy Stech at 937-5549 or kstech@postandcourier.com.