A father and his two sons believe they've tapped an underserved sector of the Charleston housing market: customized homes for less-than-premium prices.

Their first exclusive effort is Cloudbreak Court, a new neighborhood of 24 traditional three- and four-bedroom homes on James Island.

"Our tag line is 'different by design,' " said Stu Cline, director of Cline Homes, which he formed last year with sons Jeff and Scott Cline. "We thought there's an opportunity in Charleston, not (as) a custom builder but (delivering) higher structural quality" on speculative homes, he said.

The six-employee company, with headquarters and a design center on Gardner Road west of the Ashley, contends it can tailor top-notch houses with bedroom balconies, hardwood floors, nicely appointed kitchens and full landscaping at lower costs than homes built specifically for a single customer. Cline Homes also is building in Legend Oaks in Dorchester County.

"There's one product line for each community," said Jeff Cline, who is builder-owner with his brother.

The business expects to raise 30 homes this year and about 80 to 100 a year in the $350,000-to-$600,000 price range.

At Cloudbreak Court, there are four floor plans from 2,200 to 2,520 square feet. The models are the Calhoun, Beaufain, Tradd and Wentworth. Prices for the 1 1/2 and two-story homes are from $459,000 to $513,790. Homeowners association dues are $300 a year.

Typical features include gas fireplaces and separate tubs and showers with upscale ceramic tile in the master bathrooms, Scott Cline said. The fiber-cement-sided homes have structured wiring so that it's easier to hook up to cable or the Internet. Closets have built-in wooden shelves. Buyers can choose options such as granite countertops or converting a bedroom to a study.

Expected purchasers include young professionals and a few "empty-nesters" whose children are in college or otherwise have left home, said Kerri Mahoney, agent with Prudential Carolina Real Estate's Charleston Home Team, which is in charge of sales and marketing. Four homes have sold thus far.

The neighborhood is on one street with a turnaround at the foot. Behind the cul-de-sac is Pond Park, an open space with benches and room to walk around the water.

Cline Homes bought the property from a prior landowner-developer, an avid surfer who cleared the lots and coined the community's name, said Will Jenkinson, a Charleston Home Team partner. Cloudbreak is a noted surfing spot in Fiji featured in the movie "Endless Summer 2."

Situated off Woodland Shores Road, Cloudbreak Court is close to a number of area attractions, including James Island County Park and Charleston Municipal Golf Course.

"The location is definitely an amenity," Jenkinson said. "It's sort of a hidden little jewel tucked in near the golf course."

To reach Cloudbreak Court from downtown Charleston, head over the Ashley River Bridge and bear left onto Folly Road. Continue on Folly Road across the Wappoo Bridge. Turn right on Maybank Highway. Follow Maybank Highway to Riverland Drive and turn left. Take Riverland Drive for about a mile and turn right on Woodland Shores Road. Cloudbreak Court is on the left about 1/8th of a mile ahead.

 

Neighborhood

Cloudbreak Court

Location

Charleston County

Developer, marketing

Cline Homes, Charleston Home Team (Prudential Carolina Real Estate)

More info

phone: 406-0295

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1-6 p.m.

WEB SITE: www.cline-homes.com

Total homes

24

Home sizes

2,200 to 2,520 square feet

Home prices

$459,000 to $513,790

Typical features

--Hardwood floors

--Tiled baths

--10-foot first-floor ceilings

--Front porches and rear screened-in porches

--Kitchen microwave, stove combination; raised-panel cabinets

--Three or four bedrooms

--Landscaped yards

Property taxes

$3,522 on a $480,000 home

Area attractions

James Island County Park, Charleston Municipal Golf Course, Stono River, Wappoo Cut Boat Landing, Atlantic Ocean, James Island Connector, downtown Charleston, Fort Sumter, Johns Island Executive Airport

Distance to downtown Charleston

6 miles

Schools

Murray-LaSaine Elementary

Grades K-5; phone, 762-2765; enrollment, 205; certified staff, 22; PACT results, 6.7 percent of fifth-graders scored proficient or advanced on English/Language Arts, 6.7 percent on math, 10 percent on science and 10 percent on social studies.

Fort Johnson Middle

Grades 6-8; phone, 762-2740; enrollment, 496; certified staff, 39; PACT results, 30 percent of eighth-graders scored proficient or advanced on English/Language Arts, 22.1 percent on math, 36.1 percent on science and 29.5 percent on social studies.

James Island Charter High

Grades 9-12; phone, 762-2754; enrollment, 1,579; certified staff, 143; SAT results, 503 verbal and 500 math. The 1003 combined score is higher than the state average (993) and lower than the national average (1028).

Housing trends

James Island:

Number of sales in the second quarter of 2006: 439 (up from 304 in the second quarter of 2005).

Average sales price: $258,000 (up from $245,800).

Median sales price: $224,000 (up from $196,900).

 

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