How do I start buying my first home in James Island?

Starting a first home purchase on James Island begins with getting pre-approved for financing before touring any homes, since South Carolina sellers generally expect that upfront. From there, narrowing down budget, must-have features, and flood zone tolerance shapes a realistic shortlist rather than a broad, unfocused search. Brian Beatty walks first-time buyers through that sequence for James Island specifically, given how much pricing and flood risk vary street to street here.