The era of the golf home in high-quality golf communities priced lower than $400,000 is over. Or is it?
In many areas of the Southeast rich with golf communities, inventories of homes for sale are down. The choice of golf homes in the $300,000 to $400,000 price range are especially skimpy, or worse -- “skimpy” as in not available at all or not exactly in move-in condition. But $400,000 is the most many can afford for a vacation home or forever home. So how bad is it out there?
The answer is not as bad as it looks for those poised to jump in when a house in good condition and properly priced comes on the market. I know this because I recently scanned a group of homes for sale in golf communities I have recommended to my clients over the last 15 years. In coming weeks, I will feature different golf-enriched areas where the $400,000 home runs the gamut from thriving to life support. This week I start with Aiken, SC, area and golf homes that are priced below $400,000. (In some cases, I am showing homes listed just above the $400K mark, mindful that some sharp negotiations might result in a selling price within the magic margin.)
For a relatively small town – population 33,000 – Aiken presents more than its share of golfing options; the five major golf communities include 144 holes of golf. As of October 1, there were more than 120 golf homes for sale across Aiken’s five golf communities. Just outside the Aiken city limits, additional quality golf communities in Graniteville, Edgefield and North Augusta add additional golf courses to the mix. (Aiken shares the South Carolina and Georgia border with Augusta.)
Woodside Plantation
Woodside Plantation is one of the most comprehensive golf communities in the South, offering a total of 72 holes of golf – via two separate memberships if you want to play them all – a full roster of other amenities, a few miles of walking trails and access to one of the most charming towns in the Carolinas. Recent listings in Woodside’s Reserve Club section showed 22 homes for sale, including a 3,000 square foot 4 bedroom, 3 ½ bath residence listed at $379,500. It may need some work since it has been on the market since May, but the dozens of photos that accompany the listing look good. There were also some choice lots listed for those inclined to build a house to their specifications.
Woodside Plantation
A few homes in the original Woodside Country Club section are also listed inside the magic $400,000 level. A 25-year-old patio home described as “move-in ready” and featuring 2,100 square feet of living space – 3 BR, 2 ½ BA – is listed for $379,000. A typical patio home is around 2,000 square feet and sited on a small lot, typically less than a quarter acre; it is perfect for those who don’t want too much property to tend to. (Author of this article raises hand.) The listing describes it as an “Environmentally friendly home with solar panels and EV charging outlet in the double garage.”
Cedar Creek
Cedar Creek is something of an anomaly in the Aiken area, given that its popular Arthur Hills designed layout is open to the public. You can join the club or opt to pay as you go. (In 2025, full memberships for a 62 year or older senior were $2,850, with an additional $1,250 for a spouse.) Either way, the surrounding community is a fine choice for a retirement lifestyle set among the mostly brick homes. Cedar Creek appeals to a wide range of retirees and local families, and I was not overly surprised to find that there are no homes priced under $400,000. However, a 3 BR, 2 BA house of more than 2,100 square feet, sited down a long, tree-line driveway, is currently listed at $419,000. Sharp negotiating skills could drop the price below $400,000.
Cedar Creek
Houndslake Country Club
I have not played the Houndslake Course but if Joe Lee designed it, the layout should be excellent. (Lee is credited with the design of Doral Country Club in Florida and one of the Disney Resort courses, but his portfolio stretches well beyond the Sunshine State.) Like Cedar Creek, Houndslake’s club is semi-private; if you intend to play, say, three or four times a week, a membership makes sense. For occasional golfers, the paying as you go – green fees are less than $40 per round – makes more sense.
Houndslake listings recently showed three homes priced below $370,000 and one, a traditional brick home on a half-acre with 4 BR and 3 BA, listed at $404,000. For those contemplating building a house, I saw five listings for lots beginning at $39,000.
Other Aiken area golf communities with homes for sale include The Palmetto Club (homes priced from $690,000), and the Aiken Golf Club, an historic layout recently renovated and open to the public, where the two houses listed at under $400,000 appear to need substantial upgrades.
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If you are interested in Aiken or any other area of the Southeast, please let me know at