We've been to Spring Island, South Carolina before to check out Bank of America chief exec Ken Lewis's getaway home (still on the market and the price keeps dropping). Today's estate is in the same area and belongs to former Proctor and Gamble executive Tom Laco. The property consists of two separate lots, the 3.48 acre lot the house is on and a 3.13 acre lot directly across the pond from the house which provides privacy and serves as an ample nesting area for local birds.

The five-bedroom home sits high above Rice Gate Pond and offers a panoramic view of the pond and a thousand acres of Spring Island marshes. The home's master bedroom is on the main floor of the residence and two guest rooms are located in a separate wing with two additional bedrooms on the upper level of this bi-level home. The living room, study, dining room, sunroom, office and three bedrooms all have views of the pond and salt water marsh. The three car garage is currently configured to accommodate two automobiles, a golf cart and a work shop. The home has over 1,600 square feet of porches and terraces and there is a freestanding greenhouse and a rose garden. This home is listed at $2.75 million.

Last month, the Wall Street Journal mentioned that Bank of America chief executive Kenneth D. Lewis was having trouble selling his vacation home in South Carolina. Today with Lewis in the news for his testimony in Washington D.C. it's a good time to revisit this charming summer home. Mr. Lewis bought the home with Dennis Thompson, founder and CEO of Charlotte, N.C.-based restaurant operator Firebirds International in 2002 for $3 million.

The charming home was designed by Mark P. Finlay and featured in the June 2000 issue of Architectural Digest. It has three bedrooms and 5,734 square feet of space. It includes antique heart pine and English limestone flooring, a large screening room and a two-car garage with office and security system. The home is located adjacent to a 400-acre nature preserve and has a deepwater dock. It went on the market last year then was pulled off the market but now it is back on and the price was recently cut to $3.3 million meaning that this home likely won't offer much of a return on his investment for Lewis.

UPDATE: As of November 2009, this home is listed at $2.975 million.

I loves these old homes in Charleston, South Carolina. 36 Chapel was built in 1809 by Anthony Vanderhorst Toomer and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home is located in the historic district of Wraggborough and is surrounding by fencing and mature plantings including a formal parterre garden with rare Drake elms in front, with a private bricked patio and fountain in the rear. The restored home has an entry hall that opens to spacious formal living and dining rooms, leading to an open kitchen with marble counters and island, breakfast area with wet bar, and Wolf and SubZero appliances tucked into brick arches. There is a covered porch off the kitchen which provides easy access to the rear courtyard and features sun and privacy shutters. The family room has a gas-log fireplace and plasma screen television. The second floor master suite includes a private office or nursery room, large walk-in closet and a spacious bath with garden tub and separate shower. There is also awood-paneled library with fireplace on this level; as well as a sunroom which opens onto the upstairs rear piazza. The two guest bedrooms and a full bath are found on the third floor. The entire ground floor is a separate one-bedroom apartment or guest suite with a full kitchen and bath. This home is listed at $2.1 million.

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Estate commenter Spectacular Bid first mentioned this estate on this site a year ago when we were looking at another Aiken, South Carolina property, which is also still up for sale. The Sandhurst Estate is a Stanford White designed Winter Colony estate on five equestrian acres. It has an impressive Corinthian columned facade and inside it is a Gilded Age treat with marble baths, hardwood wainscoting and floors and high ceilings. The home was built in 1887 and is part of Aiken's Historic District The 10,500 square foot residence has 11 bedrooms, 10.5 bathrooms and 10 fireplaces and has been used as a bed and breakfast. It is listed at $3.39 million.

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A desirable piece of land often has a long history and such is the case with 19 East Battery in Charleston, South Carolina. The property's enviable waterfront location meant that it was pressed into service as a fort. It was the site of Fort Darrell during the Revolution and later named Fort Mechanic, for the mechanics of the city who gave their labor to build it in 1794 when a French naval invasion was expected. It was then home to the Holmes House before the present yellow brick mansion was built around 1919 for Julius M. Visanka and was designed by architect Albert Simons. When it was built it was one of the grandest homes in the area and it has been in the same family for 66 years. It has panoramic views of Charleston Harbor. The home has a Renaissance style and the interior includes four bedrooms, a formal living room, study, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen, walk in pantry, second floor office and an elevator. The home has plenty of outdoor space including a rear garden with a large in-ground pool. The property includes a detached two car garage with space above for a guest house. This home is listed at $7.3 million.
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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.