The Market

Primary Market
Our primary target is residential land development and construction in the Charleston, South Carolina area. This is our home and we know this area well. The wonderful climate, cultural, and historical interests draw many people to visit and also many to stay and call it home.

Charleston is located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean at the junction of the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, is a city steeped in history and tradition, recognized both nationally and internationally for its historical significance, unique architecture, Southern charm, and coastal beauty. The city experienced a dramatic increase in size since 1990 when 80,414 residents lived within its boundaries. Now home to over 104,000 individuals, the city remains the hub of a region with over a half million residents. Boosted by the contribution of this growing population and the 4 million others who visit each year, the local economy continues its upward trend of solid growth and future potential.

Cited among the best places to live by Men's Journal (April 2005) and a "New American Dream Town" by Outside magazine (August 2005), Charleston offers a mild year-round climate, a unique historic setting, miles of beaches and waterways, and a diverse range of housing, dining and entertainment options.

Charleston is a very exciting city for college students and young professionals. The city is home to the College of Charleston, the Citadel, the Medical University of South Carolina, the Charleston School of Law, and Trident Technical College. In the fall of 2001, there was enrollment of nearly 31,000 in the areas colleges and universities. These students occupy a majority of the rental properties on the peninsula, creating an extremely high rental occupancy rate.

During 2002, the City issued 13,654 business licenses, of which 2,072 were for new businesses. In a recent study, the Gibbs Planning Group Inc. indicated that although the Charleston MSA had over $112.8 billion in retail sales in 2001, the downtown Charleston area could support 745,000 square feet of additional retail space based upon the sales of downtown retail businesses. The city ranks second among midsize cities in the South for entrepreneurs by Entrepreneur.com The port of Charleston is the fourth-largest container port in the United States. To further improve access into the city from Highway 17 north, a new eight-lane bridge spanning the Cooper River has recently opened. The new Cooper River bridge is the longest suspension bridge in North America and already has a positive impact on the businesses of Charleston and the surrounding areas.

Beaches, barrier islands, boating, fishing, golf, nightlife, and Southern hospitality make Charleston a very attractive place for families and individuals seeking a more wholesome lifestyle, away from stress, crime and pollution found in metropolitan areas. Charleston ranks near the top of America's "Best Golf Cites" published by Golf Digest. According to Golf Digest, the Charleston area is the sixth best golf town in America. Furthermore, of the top 24 ranking metropolitan areas in the poll, Charleston was the only one with a population of less than 500,000 residents. Charleston is famous for its Southern hospitality, considered "the most mannerly city in America" by etiquette expert Marabelle Young Stewart.

The property value in Charleston tripled during the 1990's. Driven by the same basic force, this phenomenon is on track to repeat itself in the following decade as well in selected growth markets. These factors suggest that the property value in Charleston, South Carolina has a better chance of increasing in value than property in much of the rest of the United States.

With this amount of growth, infrastructure is key to success. South Carolina and the city of Charleston have effective and active planning bodies. We just opened the longest cable stayed bridge in North America. Read more at www.cooperriverbridge.org

And it not just a great place to live. Business is better than ever and you can read more about the business climate here .www.charlestonforbusiness.com

Secondary Market
We are also strongly interested in the growing popularity of Central and South American coastal areas for American tourists and retirees. Particularly the areas of San Jose, Costa Rica, and the Central and Northern Pacific coasts of Costa Rica. The NorthAmerican and European tourism in Costa Rica is growing quickly and the number of American retirees moving to the areas present great investment opportunities.

The coastal areas of Buenos Aires, Argentina are gaining interests for investors as well. While these secondary markets make up a small percentage of our portfolio and future plans, they are very much worth watching over the near future.

And anyone watching the news is aware of the coming changes in Cuba. The Investment market for European companies has already opened and the USA will likely open our economic policy as the government of Fidel Castro falls.