“The market for Kiawah’s million-dollar homes is still strong,” says Norton. "People in all price ranges come to Kiawah because it is a family-oriented place.”

Last year there were over 40 homes that sold for $1 million and up on the picturesque island, with the top-selling home fetching a price of $5.15 million!

“Interestingly, our most expensive home sale was less than our most expensive lot sale, which came in at $5.425 million, ” says Mr. Norton. “I would attribute that to the fact that when you are in the highest price ranges, customers often have their own vision of what they want in a home, and they are willing to pay a premium price for the rare, undeveloped oceanfront lots.”

Somehow, at $5.425 million, it seems insensitive to call it a “lot.” How about “princely parcel?”

No listing of million dollar homes would be complete without including the unique and magnificent island of Kiawah, a private, gated community and home to the most expensive homes and real estate on the Eastern seaboard.

“It’s rare to find a place like Kiawah,” says Bill Norton, public relations director for Kiawah Development Partners. “Kiawah is the only community on the eastern seaboard with a 10-mile private beach and it is impeccably preserved.”

The planned development of the island emphasizes environmental preservation and covenants have placed a limit on the square footage of new homes in Kiawah’s newest neighborhoods.