Carl Kratz | Broker & Realtor | Century 21 Integra Realty | SCLowcountryRealEstate.com
A guide to Tabby Roads, a non-gated neighborhood of single-family homes and townhomes on the north side of Old Town Bluffton, written by Carl Kratz, Broker & Realtor, who has lived in the SC Lowcountry since December 1996.
Tabby Roads is a non-gated neighborhood in Old Town Bluffton, South Carolina, made up of custom single-family homes and a smaller number of townhomes. Homes are built in Lowcountry architectural styles with deep front porches, and the streets are lined with sidewalks and mature trees.
Tabby Roads is a natural gas community, and the HOA requires a six-month minimum lease term. There is no golf course, clubhouse, or pool. The draw here is the location: an established Old Town address minutes from the shops, restaurants, and galleries of the historic district.
Tabby Roads is on the north side of Old Town Bluffton, between Bruin Road and Burnt Church Road. Neighborhood streets include Tabby Shell Road, Wild Spartina Street, Shell Rake Street, and Fiddler Lane. The Calhoun Street Promenade, Oyster Factory Park, and the May River waterfront are all nearby.
Old Town Bluffton is inside the Town of Bluffton limits, so owners pay both town and county property taxes. My Bluffton cost of ownership guide breaks down what that means for your annual budget.
Estimates only. Traffic and time of day can materially affect travel times.
The single-family homes in Tabby Roads are custom homes built from the late 2000s forward, with new construction underway on the few remaining lots. Home sizes generally run from about 1,500 to more than 3,500 square feet. You will also find a small number of townhomes, including multi-level designs, some with elevators.
Exteriors lean toward classic Lowcountry and coastal cottage design: long covered front porches, exposed rafter tails, shutters, metal or architectural shingle roofs, and brick or tabby accents. Lots are compact, typical of an in-town neighborhood, and many homes have courtyards or screened porches rather than large yards.
Tabby Roads is built around its streetscape rather than an amenity center. Sidewalks connect the neighborhood, a small roundabout sits at the center of Tabby Shell Road, and there is shared green space with a lagoon in the interior of the neighborhood. There is no pool, clubhouse, or fitness center. Most owners treat Old Town Bluffton, the May River, and the nearby town parks as their amenities.
Tabby Roads has a homeowners association. Current dues and transfer fees are listed on my Bluffton HOA fees and transfer fees guide, which I keep updated so this page stays accurate.
Based on the FEMA flood map dated 9-30-26, Tabby Roads is in Flood Zone X, which is outside FEMA's Special Flood Hazard Area. Flood insurance generally is not required by lenders solely because a property is in Zone X, although lender requirements can vary. Many owners carry a lower-cost policy anyway. Flood maps are revised periodically, so confirm the zone for a specific address before you close. My flood insurance guide for Bluffton buyers covers how to think about coverage.
Local Perspective From Carl
I have lived in the SC Lowcountry since December 1996 and watched Old Town Bluffton grow from a small river community into the town center buyers know today. Tabby Roads gives buyers an unusual combination: newer Lowcountry-style homes within a few minutes of the Promenade and May River. For buyers who want an in-town setting rather than a gated community along US 278, Tabby Roads is worth comparing.
Tabby Roads fits buyers who want a newer custom home, porch-front architecture, natural gas, and an address close to downtown Bluffton and the May River. It works well as a primary residence or a second home, and the carriage house option gives flexibility for visiting guests or a long-term tenant. Buyers who want resort amenities, a large lot, or short-term rental income should look elsewhere.
Buyers considering Tabby Roads often compare it with Stock Farm, a small Old Town neighborhood of single-family homes within easy reach of the historic district. Like Tabby Roads, it offers an in-town Old Town Bluffton address rather than an amenity-driven community.
Tabby Roads is on the north side of Old Town Bluffton in the 29910 zip code, between Bruin Road and Burnt Church Road. It is a short distance from the Calhoun Street Promenade, Oyster Factory Park, and the May River waterfront.
No. Tabby Roads is a non-gated neighborhood with sidewalks and open streets that connect directly to Old Town Bluffton.
Tabby Roads is mostly custom single-family homes built in Lowcountry styles from the late 2000s forward, plus a small number of townhomes. Many homes have detached garages, and some have a finished carriage house above the garage.
Tabby Roads is close to the Calhoun Street Promenade and other Old Town destinations, but walking distance varies by the property's location within the neighborhood and the destination. Buyers should evaluate the actual route rather than assuming every Old Town Bluffton address is equally walkable.
Yes, subject to HOA rules. Tabby Roads requires a six-month minimum lease term, including carriage house rentals, so short-term vacation rentals are not permitted.
Yes. Tabby Roads is a natural gas community, so gas service is available for cooking, fireplaces, water heaters, and generators.
Based on the FEMA flood map dated 9-30-26, Tabby Roads is in Flood Zone X, which is outside FEMA's Special Flood Hazard Area. Flood insurance generally is not required by lenders solely because a property is in Zone X, although lender requirements can vary. Buyers should confirm the zone for a specific address.
Tabby Roads has a homeowners association. Current dues and transfer fees are listed on Carl Kratz's Bluffton HOA fees and transfer fees guide, which is updated as fees change.
No. Tabby Roads is not age-restricted. Buyers looking for an active adult community nearby can compare Sun City Hilton Head, The Haven at New Riverside, Four Seasons at Carolina Oaks, Latitude Margaritaville, and Four Seasons at Hilton Head Lakes.
Recent closed sales are the best guide to what Tabby Roads homes are worth right now. Because the neighborhood is small, only a handful of homes may close in any six-month window, and a single sale can differ sharply from current asking prices depending on size, age, condition, and whether the home includes a carriage house. Review the recent sales alongside active listings, then reach out and I will walk you through how those differences affect value.
About the Author
Carl Kratz, Broker & Realtor, Century 21 Integra Realty. Licensed in real estate since 2009 and a Lowcountry resident since December 1996, Carl helps buyers and sellers across Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort, Hardeeville, and Ridgeland. Before real estate he worked in Fortune 500 sales management and owned a small chain of restaurants. Reach Carl at 843.247.9373 or carl@SCLowcountryRealEstate.com, or learn more on the Meet Carl Kratz page.
Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. HOA rules, fees, flood zones, and town regulations can change; confirm details for a specific property before purchase. Last reviewed September 2026.
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Oldtown Bluffton isn't just a place... it's a lifestyle. Local shops, restaurants, the May River - this is where people want to be. 12 Tabby Shell sits on a charming, tre...
Oldtown Bluffton isn't just a place... it's a lifestyle. Local shops, restaurants, the May River - this is where people want to be. 12 Tabby Shell sits on a charming, tre...

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