South Carolina's Hilton Head is home to many newer houses and overall they seem to have a higher taste quotient than other newer homes in hot areas. Today's example takes the traditional plantation style and luxes it up in a style that is elegant but also casual. The home is 7,200 square feet with a great room, living room, gourmet kitchen and a large veranda. There are five bedrooms including a master suite with his and hers baths, dual offices, a dressing room, exercise room and two balconies. The waterfront property also includes a lap pool with a waterfall spa. It is listed at $8.25 million.

For the next couple of weeks we will be checking out some homes in the most expensive zip codes in the United States, up today, 29401. This zip code refers to the beautifully historic town of Charleston, South Carolina. This zip code in the fast-growing Southern city has a median price of $1,590,000 with an appreciation of 228% since 1990.

To explore this town we've got one beauty of an old home. This home on King Street in the historic district is the Patrick O'Donnell house it was built by O'Donnell over the period of 1852-1870 who was building the house for his bride but took so long finishing the job that his fiancé married another. The home was once lived in by the women who inspired the character of Melanie in Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind.

The home has an 18th century Venetian palazzo exterior with a cross-ventilated New York brownstone interior and wide Charleston-style porches. The home has been beautifully restored. Details to swoon for include random width heart pine floors, heavy moldings and ceiling medallions, 11 fireplaces with faux marble mantles, French doors and an antique elevator. The kitchen has modern appliances such as Gaggenau ovens, Gaggenau commercial gas range, SubZero refrigerator and a walk-in wine cooler in a setting of exposed brick with a pressed tin ceiling. There is a billiards room, a cherry library with a track ladders, a bar room, guest bedroom with a cedar closet, large master suite, a bedroom with built-in children's beds and another guest room. The fifth floor is home to a rooftop deck, wet bar and outdoor shower. The property also includes a pool and a three-car garage and there is a guest house with a galley kitchen, bedroom and living room. This home is listed at $7.895 million.

Yes, it's a beach house but one that hasn't lost its manners. This home on Seabrook Island in South Carolina is a newer home which offers beautiful views of the shoreline. The home has just three bedrooms but there are plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces. The street facade has a Lowcountry Porch and split staircase. The ground level has room for boat storage and a four-car garage. The home has multiple screened-in porches and decks. There is also a spiral staircase which leads to a rooftop deck. The rear deck also has a pool and a private boardwalk leading to an outdoor shower and then to the beach. The gated island of Seabrook has two championship golf courses, tennis and an equestrian center. It is listed at $3.995 million. After the jump, the long stroll beachward.