Home Buyer's Guide: Lake Keowee, SC

The Lake Keowee region offers a distinctive blend of outdoor recreation and cultural amenities that appeals to a diverse range of homebuyers. Water activities form the cornerstone of life here, with residents enjoying boating, fishing, swimming, and water sports throughout much of the year.

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• 85% of homeowners cite water recreation as a primary reason for their purchase
• The area features over 40 miles of hiking trails and seven championship golf courses
• Clemson University is just 15 minutes away, and Greenville is just 45 minutes away
• Residents enjoy an average of 221 sunny days per year
• Mild winters with average January temperatures of 50°F
• Peak season water temperatures average between 75-85°F (April through October)

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Beyond these numbers, the surrounding natural beauty creates a peaceful backdrop for daily living, with the Blue Ridge Mountains visible from many vantage points around the lake. The community atmosphere is welcoming, with numerous social clubs, volunteer organizations, and community events that help new residents quickly feel at home. There are a variety of Lake Keowee luxury communities to choose from when considering the ideal location for your lake home, each offering different price points, ammenities, and home architecture guidelines.

The Lake Keowee real estate market has shown remarkable stability and growth over the past decade.

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Real Estate and Demographic Highlights:

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• Median home price: $598,000
• Luxury waterfront properties: Starting at $850,000, exceeding $3 million for premium lots
• Waterfront property appreciation: 6.8% average annual rate (past five years)
• Non-waterfront properties with lake access: Median price of $425,000, appreciating at 5.4% annually
• Buyer demographics: 45% retirees, 30% remote workers and young families
• Median household income: $110,000 (state average: $56,000)
• Utility costs: Approximately 15% below the national average

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The trend toward younger buyers has accelerated in the past three years, bringing new energy to local businesses and community organizations. This demographic shift has also influenced the types of amenities being developed, with more family-oriented recreation facilities appearing, making Lake Keowee an excellent place to live for families with young children.

The custom home building process is collaborative and requires communication between many parties, such as the architect or designer, the builder, the lending agency, the local government, and of course you, the homebuyer. Building a custom home on Lake Keowee involves the above, as well as several unique considerations that differ from standard, non-lakefront residential construction.

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Construction Facts and Figures:

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• Permitting process: 3-6 months for shoreline properties
• Construction timeline: 14-18 months average (2-3 months longer for waterfront)
• Building costs: $225-$450 per square foot for high-end construction
• Resale value premium: 12-18% higher for properly permitted homes
• Warranty claims: 70% relate to water intrusion issues
• Maintenance advantage: 40% fewer major repairs in first ten years with experienced lake builders

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When planning your custom home, it's essential to work with architects and builders who understand the specific challenges of lakefront construction, from maximizing the views of your lakefront home to managing storm water runoff. The orientation of your home, window placement, and outdoor lake home living spaces should all be carefully considered to take full advantage of the lake setting while protecting your investment for the long term.

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BHR Construction is licensed, bonded, and insured, meaning we are fully qualified to build your luxury Lake Keowee dream home. In addition to our residential license, we are also certified as a NASCLA Unlimited General Contractor, meaning we can build projects of any type, size, or scope.

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Selecting the right lot is equally critical, as factors like soil composition, slope, and sun exposure can significantly impact both construction costs and your everyday living experience. Working with professionals who can help you evaluate these factors before purchase can save considerable expense and frustration during the building process.

If you're considering moving to Lake Keowee, you may be interested in learning some fun facts about the lake and surrounding area. Below are some common questions and answers to those questions to make you a Lake Keowee expert.

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Q: How deep is Lake Keowee?

A: Lake Keowee in South Carolina has an average depth of about 54 feet (16.5 meters), but reaches a maximum depth of approximately 297 feet (90.5 meters) at its deepest point. Its significant depth, especially at its deepest points, makes it popular for various water activities including fishing, boating, and diving.

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Q: Is Lake Keowee Man-Made?

A: Yes, Lake Keowee is a man-made reservoir. The lake was formed by damming the Keowee River and Little River, flooding the valley to create what is now Lake Keowee. The primary purpose for creating the lake was to provide cooling water for the Oconee Nuclear Station and to generate hydroelectric power.

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Q: When was Lake Keowee Built?

A: It was created between 1965 and 1971 by Duke Energy (then known as Duke Power) as part of a larger project that included the construction of the Keowee-Toxaway Complex. The project transformed what was previously farmland and the original town of Keowee (which is now underwater) into the large reservoir we know today.

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Q: Does Lake Keowee Have a Beach?

A: Lake Keowee doesn’t have traditional ocean-style beaches, but it does have several sandy swim areas and parks with lake access. Some popular spots include:

• High Falls County Park – Offers a sandy swim area, picnic spots, and a boat ramp.
• South Cove County Park – Features a swimming area with a small beach-like shoreline.
• Keowee-Toxaway State Park – Has lake access, but no designated sandy beach.
• Lake Keowee Marina – Provides boat rentals and waterfront activities, but no dedicated beach.

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Q: How Many Islands are on Lake Keowee?

A: Lake Keowee has more than 100 islands scattered throughout its 18,500-acre expanse. Some are large enough to explore, while others are small and primarily serve as wildlife habitats. Many of these islands are accessible by boat and are popular for camping, fishing, and picnicking.

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Q: Why is Lake Keowee so Clear?

A: Due to a combination of natural and managed factors, Lake Keowee is one of the clearest lakes in the Southeast, making it popular for swimming, scuba diving, and fishing.

• Unlike lakes with muddy or sandy bottoms, Lake Keowee has a more rocky and clay-based floor, which helps reduce sediment disturbance and keeps the water clearer.
• The lake is relatively unpolluted, with limited agricultural runoff and industrial contamination. Strict environmental regulations help maintain its cleanliness.
• Duke Energy manages the lake’s water levels and flow, reducing excessive sediment churn that can cloud the water.
• Since Lake Keowee is primarily fed by mountain streams and the Keowee River, it doesn't receive as much sediment or organic material as lakes fed by larger rivers.
• Surrounding forests and wetlands help filter out impurities before they reach the lake, further contributing to its clarity.
• With depths reaching over 150 feet in some areas, deeper sections tend to remain clear due to lower disturbance from boating and weather.