If mornings on clear water, golf with friends, and a quick walk to the marina sound like your kind of day, Keowee Key deserves a close look. You want a clear picture of what life here costs, how boating works, and which homes hold value. This guide gives you that context so you can shop with confidence. You’ll learn the location, amenities, fees, home types, rental rules, and the value drivers that shape pricing. Let’s dive in.
Location and overview
Keowee Key is a gated, member‑owned community on the north end of Lake Keowee in Oconee County. It spans roughly 1,600 acres with about 15 miles of shoreline and 32 miles of paved roads. The housing mix includes single‑family homes, townhomes, and condos. Community materials note approximately 1,957 lots, about 1,676 improved, and a majority of owners living here full time. You can review community facts in the official Keowee Key Fact Sheet for a helpful snapshot of size and housing counts.
You’re close to Seneca and Clemson for daily needs. Oconee Memorial Hospital is noted as about 15 minutes away. Regional hubs like Greenville and nearby mountain towns are generally within an hour depending on your exact address and route. Always verify drive times from the specific property you are considering.
For quick orientation, start with the POA’s public site and buyer resources. The community is governed by the Keowee Key Property Owners’ Association, which owns and maintains the common assets.
Review the official Fact Sheet
Amenities you’ll use
Keowee Key is known for an all‑in amenity set that supports an active lifestyle. You’ll find an 18‑hole championship golf course and pro shop, a 40,000+ square‑foot country‑club complex with multiple dining venues, and a Fitness & Racquet Center with an indoor pool, classes, and cardio and weight spaces. Outdoors, enjoy saltwater pools, beach areas, a lakeside leisure trail, dog park, community gardens, and various recreation courts.
The POA also sponsors robust social programming and many clubs. If you want community connection and on‑site options without leaving the gate, this is a strong fit.
Boating and marinas
If boating is a priority, focus here. Keowee Key operates significant resident marina facilities with fuel pumps, a marina store, boat rentals, kayak racks, and dry storage. POA materials note roughly 327 to 330 community boat slips across multiple docks. The practical reality is that a slip waitlist is common, so plan ahead.
- Published slip rental example: about $1,042 per year.
- Dry storage and kayak rack examples: approximately $220 per year and $100 per year.
- Waitlist: a non‑refundable $200 registration fee to join the slip waitlist.
You can rent pontoons and tri‑toons through the POA, and there are launch, retrieve, and valet options while waiting for a permanent slip. Always confirm current pricing and availability directly with the North Marina team.
Review boating details and rates | See the Fact Sheet
How Keowee Key works
Keowee Key is member‑owned, and the POA manages community operations, patrol, roads, and amenities. The community also runs its own private water and wastewater utility service. That means your monthly or quarterly utility bills from KKUS are separate from POA assessments.
Learn about community services
Common costs to budget
Every property is different, but these are typical line items you should plan for. Amounts change year to year, so request the current schedules from the POA and any condo regime before you write an offer.
- Annual KKPOA assessment: commonly reported in recent listings in the low‑to‑mid thousands per year, often around the $4,000 to $5,400 range depending on property type and year. Billed monthly in many cases.
- New‑Owner Capital Assessment at closing: a one‑time buyer charge. Recent listing examples range roughly from $2,700 to about $7,000, varying by property type and policy year.
- Condo or townhome regime dues and transfer fees: buildings like Marina Villas and Tall Ships have their own annual dues in the several‑thousand‑dollar range and may charge a one‑time transfer fee at closing.
- Marina costs: community boat slip about $1,042 per year in recent POA materials, plus $200 waitlist registration, and optional dry storage or kayak rack fees.
- Utilities: Keowee Key’s private water and sewer (KKUS) are billed separately from POA dues. Get the current rate sheet.
- Club charges: some disclosures note a dining minimum. Golf fees are managed via the Club and Pro Shop. Confirm what applies to your address.
Check boating fees and waitlist steps | See services overview
Improved vs unimproved lots
POA assessment structures can differ between improved homes and unimproved lots. If you are buying a vacant parcel with plans to build later, ask for the current fee schedule and billing frequency for unimproved owners, and then how fees change once your home is complete. The POA’s annual budget and fee letters will clarify the amounts for your specific property type.
Rentals and guest access
Keowee Key permits both short‑term and long‑term rentals under POA rules. Owners must register renters with the Rental Liaison and pay related processing, gate pass, and transient use waiver fees. Noncompliance can lead to suspension of amenity privileges. If rental income is part of your plan, review both POA rules and any condo regime policies before you buy.
- Start with the POA’s Rules for Renting Property.
- Review the current Short‑Term Renter Amenity Fees to understand guest access costs.
Read the rental rules | See renter amenity fees
Homes and value
You will see a wide range of homes here. Keowee Key includes older lake cottages, 1980s‑era condo buildings, mid‑period single‑family homes, and newer custom renovations and builds. The condo communities near the marinas, such as Tall Ships and Marina Villas, offer lock‑and‑leave living close to the water. Single‑family options span interior wooded lots, golf‑course settings, and waterfront.
Recent listing snapshots show condos often trading in the low‑to‑mid $300s depending on view and condition, with some Tall Ships resales around the mid $300s in 2024. Single‑family homes range broadly from the mid $400s to well over $1 million depending on water access, size, and location. Always rely on fresh MLS data for the day you shop.
What drives price here
Proximity to water and the marinas is a major value lever. Here’s a practical hierarchy to keep in mind as you compare homes:
- Deep‑water, private‑dock, and long‑view waterfront lots — typically the highest values.
- Homes or condos with assigned slip access or immediate marina proximity — very attractive to boaters seeking convenience. Expect separate condo regime costs for these buildings.
- Golf‑course view and elevated bluff settings — scenic and popular without dock ownership.
- Interior or wooded lots — often the most affordable entry into the community.
View the community property map
Dock and slip details
Dock and slip rights are governed by POA rules and covenants. If a property has a slip, confirm whether it transfers at closing and whether any boat lift or equipment is included. If there is no slip, ask about the current waitlist timeline, interim valet or partnership options, and weekly rental procedures through the POA.
Read the Boating Department guide
How it compares
- The Cliffs and The Reserve at Lake Keowee tend to sit at a higher luxury tier with private‑club structures and higher price points. Keowee Key is established, amenity‑rich, and generally more accessible in price.
- Lake Hartwell often offers lower entry prices and a broader shoreline mix. For context on why Keowee can command more, read our take on water clarity, community planning, and demand patterns in this comparison of Hartwell and Keowee.
- Lake Jocassee is more remote and less developed for gated community living. Think backcountry recreation rather than club life.
Why Lake Keowee homes often cost more than Hartwell
Buyer checklist
Use this quick list to verify details before you add Keowee Key to your short list.
- Get the current KKPOA annual assessment schedule, New‑Owner Capital Assessment amount, billing frequency, and any planned special assessments. Ask for the latest POA budget and reserve information.
- For condos and townhomes, request regime financials, meeting minutes, reserve levels, pending assessments, insurance details, and the one‑time transfer fee.
- Confirm slip status for the address you are buying. If you need a slip soon, prioritize marina‑adjacent units and ask about the current waitlist and interim options.
- Review the POA’s rental rules and any building‑level rules if you plan to rent. Understand registration steps, fees, and guest procedures.
- Obtain KKUS water and sewer rate schedules and confirm billing details. Ask your insurance agent about any utility or infrastructure items that affect underwriting.
- Visit in different seasons and on weekends and weekdays to understand activity levels, clubhouse hours, and marina traffic. Talk with residents about club culture and daily rhythms.
Start with the Fact Sheet | Boating info | Rental rules | Services | Property map
Is Keowee Key a fit for you
Choose Keowee Key if you want a gated, social lake community with golf, racquets, marinas, and trails all bundled into daily life. It is especially appealing if you plan to be active, value on‑site amenities, and like having a strong POA maintaining the neighborhood. If you prefer a simpler, low‑fee lake parcel without club programming, you may want to compare lower‑amenity neighborhoods around Lake Keowee or Lake Hartwell.
Ready to explore homes, compare fees, and plan your marina strategy? Reach out to the team at Locke & Key Associates. We’ll help you confirm current POA numbers, condo regime details, and slip options so you can buy with clarity.
FAQs
What is Keowee Key and where is it located
- Keowee Key is a gated, member‑owned community on the north end of Lake Keowee in Oconee County, near Seneca and Clemson, with details summarized in the official community Fact Sheet.
What amenities does Keowee Key offer
- The community features an 18‑hole golf course, country‑club dining, a Fitness & Racquet Center with an indoor pool, outdoor pools, beach areas, a lakeside trail, a dog park, community gardens, and many social clubs.
How much are Keowee Key POA fees for owners
- Recent disclosures commonly show annual assessments in the low‑to‑mid thousands per year that vary by property type and budget year. Request the current POA fee schedule before you make an offer.
Does Keowee Key allow short‑term rentals
- Yes, both short‑term and long‑term rentals are permitted under POA rules. Owners must register renters, pay processing and gate fees, and follow community procedures.
How do boat slips work at Keowee Key marinas
- Slips are limited and a waitlist is common. The POA publishes slip rental pricing, a $200 waitlist registration, and interim options like rentals and valet. Confirm availability with the North Marina.
What home types are available in Keowee Key
- You will find condos near the marinas, townhomes, older lake cottages, mid‑period homes, and newer custom or renovated properties across interior, golf‑course, and waterfront settings.
