Apartment Homes Bluffton SC

Best BBQ in Hilton Head

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:52:00 GMT

If you live in an apartment in Ridgeland, SC and you haven’t been to the Rib Burnoff, you need to go this weekend. If you have been, then you know how fun it is. Every year on the Saturday following Mother’s Day, the Kiwanis Clubs sponsors Hilton Head’s premier BBQ event at the Coastal Discovery Museum of Hilton Head. You won’t be able to miss the delicious aromas of hickory stoked fires, slow cooked ribs and pulled pork at the fields at Honey Horn.

Hundreds of residents and visitors join the Kiwanis Clubs to raise funds for local children’s charities, to enjoy some downhome music and to enjoy some of the South’s best BBQ.

Cooking starts the night before as restaurants and gifted amateurs compete for trophies and another year of bragging rights. This is the place for perfect, delicious mouth watering BBQ with the beautiful scenery that can only be found on Hilton Head.

This is a family fun event and children are welcome and will be able to play on inflatable castles and slides in the free children’s area and run in the open fields. The Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department typically provide equipment and educational displays.

Grab your appetites and head to this fun filled family event. Advance tickets are $12, children under 12 are admitted free.

For more information - hiltonheadkiwanis.com/activities/rib-burnoff

Strawberry Pie for MOM

Thu, 09 May 2013 13:19:00 GMT

It is strawberry season. If the mother in your life can’t get enough of strawberries, here is a delicious, new recipe for a Mother’s Day Brunch. This is a favorites from the staff at Auston Chase, apartments in Raleigh, NC.

Strawberry Cream Pie

Ingredients

3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt $
1 cup sugar, divided $
3 cups half-and-half $
6 egg yolks $
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (9-oz.) package chocolate wafer cookies
1/2 (4-oz.) semisweet chocolate baking bar, chopped
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 qt. fresh strawberries $
1/4 cup red currant jelly
1 tablespoon orange liqueur

Preparation

Whisk together first 3 ingredients and 2/3 cup sugar in a medium-size heavy saucepan. Whisk together half-and-half and next 2 ingredients in a small bowl; gradually add to cornstarch mixture, whisking constantly.

Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Remove from heat, and transfer to a bowl; cover and chill 4 to 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°. Pulse wafer cookies and chopped chocolate in a food processor 8 to 10 times or until finely crushed. Stir together cookie crumb mixture, melted butter, and remaining 1/3 cup sugar; firmly press mixture on bottom, up sides, and onto lip of a lightly greased 9-inch pie plate.

Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).

Spoon chilled half-and-half mixture into prepared crust. Cut 8 to 10 strawberries in half, and arrange around outer edge of pie (leaving tops on, if desired); hull and slice remaining strawberries, and arrange in center of pie.

Cook jelly in a small saucepan over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes or until melted. Remove from heat, and stir in liqueur. Brush jelly mixture gently over strawberries. Chill, uncovered, 30 minutes.

Recipe and image from Southern Living

Enjoy the Taste of Beaufort

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:27:00 GMT

If you live in an apartment in Ridgeland, SC you can enjoy the Taste of Beaufort coming up on Friday, May 3rd & Saturday, May 4th.

This event lets you experience the essence of beautiful Beaufort! Free admission, you can purchase food and drink tickets for $1 each to use at restaurant, beer & wine, and soda booths.

On Friday, May 3rd there will be 4-90 minute Gullah-N-Geechie Mahn Tours where you can get your ‘Taste’ of the Gullah Culture! For a ‘Taste’ of the Arts enjoy the local artists exhibition located in the Contemplative Garden (behind the Pavilion Stage) in Waterfront Park. At noon the arts & craft market opens. The food and beverage booths are available from 6-10om and you can also enjoy entertainment by Carolina Soul Band.

On Saturday, May 4th is the 5K Bridge Run/Walk and the Children’s Popcorn Run. Have fun in the run and stay for the ”Taste!”. On Saturday, the food and beverage booths are open from 11am – 5pm and the Children’s Area is open all day as well. All day you can enjoy live entertainment on the pavilion stage.

Additionally, downtown Beaufort has over 80 independently owned shops & boutiques, 31 restaurants, several art galleries, and bus/walking/carriage tours. Please support small businesses in downtown Beaufort.

More informationdowntownbeaufort.com/taste-of-beaufort

Go Green in Your Apartment on Earth Day

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:50:00 GMT

Today is Earth Day. Are you looking for some way to go green in your apartment in Ridgeland, SC? If you want to help out your earth and save money, here are some ways to go green.

Buy fresh, local food this summer at local markets.

Have your kids make their friends birthday cards and bring gifts in decorated paper bags or a cool reusable bag.

Bring your own bags when you shop for groceries.

Shop at consignment stores and thrift stores.

Dispose of your hazardous waste properly.

Buy a share in a community-supported agriculture (CSA) farm to support local, sustainable farming and enjoy fresh veggies weekly.

Get rid of plastic sandwich bags and get some washable containers or bags.

Cut down on car trips and run your errands on your bike or on foot.

Pack cloth napkins instead of paper towels in school lunches.

Look for an environmental service project you can do, such as removing trash and non-native plants and planting trees in their place.

Stop buying bottled water. You could save hundreds of dollars by buying metal water bottles for everyone in the family and a personal filter for your kitchen faucet.

Organize a Halloween costume swap in September. This can be a great service project for a Girl Scout troop.

Expand your hand-me-down circle. Organize a clothing swap for you or your kids’group of friends. Everyone brings gently used and clean kids’ clothes to your garage and parents can take as many items as they donated. The rest goes to charity. You can also swap toys and books.

If you have other ways of going green, tell us.

Earth Day Celebration in the Lowcountry

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:15:00 GMT

If you live in an apartment in Ridgeland, SC, don’t forget to come and celebrate Earth Day at Market Street in Habersham. This will be the areas 4th Earth Day celebration and promises to be a very special event on Friday, April 19th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

In addition to the wonderful Market Street vendors that are here every Friday, there will also be in attendance exhibitors who have "green" products or services and several non-profit green organizations.

Enjoy live music and three local restaurants will be providing food and drink. The local shops will be open for business.

Once again, you can also enjoy the Upcycled Art Show which will have a new environmental twist this year. The art show will feature art created from recycled materials displayed in their natural environment. This year's theme is, "How Does Your Garden Grow?"

The SADD club will also provide various activities for children focused on recycling and preserving the environment.

More information - habershamgreencommittee.org/2013earthday.html

Rent or Buy Your Next Home?

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:22:00 GMT

Many people consider owning your own home the American dream, but no dream is one-size-fits-all.

While owning a home can increase your net worth, there are potential downsides as well -- additional labor, hassle and cost, to name a few. In many cases, renting an apartment in Ridgeland, SC makes sense.

How can you know which is best? Here's what you need to consider:

The minuses of homeownership: Owning a home is a huge time commitment. When you rent, maintenance is someone else's problem and repairs are solved with a phone call. When you own a home, you take on the rolls of maintenance and gardener. When something breaks, you need to fix it.

Homeownership also limits flexibility. When you buy, you should plan to keep the house at least five years, because transaction costs -- agent commissions and other sales expenses -- are high. Sell too soon and you won't recoup those costs.

The pluses: One of the joys of homeownership is investing time to make it yours and make it worth more. What you can do to customize a home you own is limited only by your imagination, budget and local zoning restrictions.

The bottom line: If you want to stay mobile, if you don't enjoy home improvement projects, rent. If you're staying put and watch a lot of HGTV, buy.

Money
The minuses: If you rent, you'll pay the first month's rent, a security deposit, and maybe a pet deposit. Buying means a down payment, closing costs, and other major expenses, not to mention the regular repairs and maintenance expenses.

In 2010 the average annual homeowners’ insurance premium was $909. Property taxes vary widely depending on where you live, but run from hundreds a year to thousands.

The bottom line: If you don't have the money and/or credit score necessary to buy a home, the question is moot. But if you can afford to own a home in a desirable area with an expanding population, you'll probably be rewarded financially.

One way to run the numbers is to use buy vs. rent calculators. But, while those are certainly helpful, the answer you get from a calculator will depend on the information you provide -- some of which you can't possibly know.

For example, among other variables, most calculators will ask how much the house you're buying will appreciate annually, as well as how much equivalent rent will increase over time. These are questions you cannot answer.

Buying? Don't get in over your head, keep these thoughts in mind:

To lower the risk of homeownership, buy only what you need, not the most expensive house you qualify for. The average house in 1950 was less than 1,000 square feet. Today it's more than twice that. Remember that whatever you buy, you're going to have to furnish, heat, cool, insure, clean and maintain it.
If you have bad credit and only qualify for a high-interest mortgage, it will cost you tens of thousands of extra dollars over the life of your loan.
The more you put down, the less you borrow and the less risk you take.
Finally, if you decide it's time to buy, hope for appreciation, but don't count on it. However, if the community you're living in has both expanding employment opportunities and population, prices are likely to rise over time.

For more information on renting in Ridgeland contact Auston Chase Apartments.

MSN Money

Americans are Still Renting

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:49:00 GMT

Americans still reeling from the housing crash are increasingly willing to embrace renting as an alternative to homeownership, a recent housing attitudes survey found.

The survey found that 57% of those surveyed, including renters and homeowners, say buying has become less appealing while 54% say renting has become more appealing.

Seven in 10 renters said they aspire to own a home someday, and 45% of homeowners said they can see themselves renting at some point in the future.

The foundation says the findings reflect "post-housing crisis realism" about the value of owning a home and the risks that can come with it.

"Across the board, we see a chipping away of that old stigma that's been associated with renting," said Rebecca Naser, senior vice president of the firm that conducted the survey.

The findings may have implications for U.S. housing policy. Told "more people at different stages of life are choosing to rent," 65% of respondents said the focus on the national housing policy should be split evenly between rental housing and homeownership.

And 61% said renters "can be just as successful as owners at achieving the American Dream."

The findings reflect not just the economic toll of the Great Recessions, but also shifts in lifestyle choices.

"More people are renting than in the past, and that has to do with factors other than what's happened in the economy," she said, adding, "I think it is likely to be accelerated because of the moment in time we're in." People value their free time and spontaneity. Not everyone wants to be tied down to yard work and repairs on the weekends.

The nation's homeownership has fallen to 65.4% at the end of 2012 from a peak of 69.2% in 2004. Some owners were ejected from their homes in foreclosure, while the transition from renting to buying has slowed.

Additionally, the survey found that few Americans believe the housing crisis is over. Despite recent improvement in the housing market, 58 percent believe the nation is "still in the middle of it" while 19% believe "the worst is yet to come." Renters were slightly more pessimistic than homeowners.

For more information on renting an apartment in Ridgeland, SC, please contact Auston Chase Apartments.

The Oregonian

Hilton Head Seafood Festival - 2013

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:13:00 GMT

If you live in an apartment in Ridgeland, SC, you can enjoy the sixth annual Hilton Head Island Seafood Fest, April 5, 5PM – 8PM and April 6, 11AM – 5PM. The Festival is set to take place at Shelter Cove Community Park. This very fun event features area restaurants/chefs who will be serving up seafood specialties and other tasty cuisine, along with live entertainment, a Kids Zone, a silent auction, an Iron Chef-style competition called Art of Cuisine, and more.

April 5, 5 – 8pm: Entertainment by Cranford & Sons
April 6, 11am – 5pm: Entertainment by The Headliners, Art of Cuisine kicks off before noon

Watch the video to see how much fun this festival truly is.

For more information davidmcarmines.org/seafoodfest

Hargray WingFest - Hilton Head

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:06:00 GMT

If you live in an apartment in Ridgeland, SC you can enjoy some of the best wings in the south on March 22, from 5-8pm and March 23, from 11:00 - 6:00pm. The 18th annual Hargray WingFest is happening on Hilton Head Island.

Over 6,000 lbs of chicken wings will be served. Local restaurants will cook their best wings from 11 am - 6 pm on Saturday in a fun-filled, family friendly festive atmosphere. There will be many activities including a kid's zone, rock climbing wall and bungee jumping, this will be a full day of live music and karaoke between bands. There will even be a big screen television to watch all the March Madness Basketball.

Back again is the People's Choice Award! Your vote counts but vote before 4 pm when the voting ends. The professional judging for the best wing starts at 12:00 pm. Admission is $5 for ages 13 and older. Also, Adventure Radio will be on hand broadcasting all the excitement.

Also, you can enjoy the Pre-WingFest Party on Friday March 22rd from 5 - 8 pm at Shelter Cove Park. Chefs will be cooking up several different flavors of chicken wings while Street Meet prepares food for those that are saving up for wings the next day. The OCD Band will be on stage rocking the night away and the kid's zone will be open for the little ones.

For more information, hiltonheadisland.org

Run in Green During the Shamrock Run

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:39:00 GMT

If you live in an apartment in Ridgeland, SC and you want to exercise before the beer on St. Patrick’s Day then head to Hilton Head. The Hilton Head Shamrock 5K Run is on Saturday, March 16 at 8am. If you have forgotten to register there is still time! Or you could just go and watch and cheer on all the green runners.

It's Fun to Run in Green. Get your Irish on and bring out your inner Leprechaun! Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with all your Irish friends during Hilton Head Island's 18th Annual Running of the Green.

Start your celebration early. The flat and fast Shamrock Run race course starts on Pope Avenue, In front of New York City Pizza at Heritage Plaza. It will take runners down Pope Avenue, North Forest Beach Drive and then return on Lagoon Road to the finish inside Coligny Plaza.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three overall male and female finishers plus the top three in each age category will receive unique awards. All finishers will also receive green finishers beads. But all participants will receive a colorful Shamrock Run T-shirts.

For more information -bearfootsports.com/shamrock-app.htm

Great Reasons to Stay in Your Apartment

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:11:00 GMT

Do you love your apartment in Ridgeland, SC? Have you found the community that truly feels like home to you?

If you have, congratulations! The following might be just a few of the reasons why you feel that way.

But perhaps you are pondering other possibilities?

Consider what might convince you to stay in your apartment. These details might make you want to stick around in the space you’ve found!

Convenient location
In real estate, location is king. If your current apartment is located near work or school and offers easy access to highways and many of your favorite haunts, you know just how true that old adage is. A convenient location can make an apartment home feel like a real treasure.

Great neighborhood
The qualities of a neighborhood can also be enough to make you stay in an apartment, long-term. Consider walkability, diversity and the “cool factor.” Do you enjoy the character of your current neighborhood? Would you miss its unique quirks or cultural offerings?

Amazing amenities
Apartment amenities are another point of persuasion. Some apartment communities offer a wide variety of amenities like a pool, outdoor space for play or barbeques, dog runs, a gym or concierge, and laundry services. Take a moment to think about the apartment amenities that make your life easier. When all other factors in an apartment search are equal, amenities can really tip the scale toward “love.”

The people
Good relationships with your neighbors can also factor strongly in a decision to stay in an apartment. Many apartments offer residents a real sense of community. If you enjoy knowing your neighbors and find yourself in an environment where folks are friendly and fun, you may have all the evidence you need to stay put.

Consider your relationship with property managers and staff, as well. Personable, attentive staff who make themselves available to their residents and respond quickly to maintenance issues or other needs are a true asset. If you feel your apartment community staff really takes care of you, consider that a good reason to stay in your current place.

Financial factors
These are just some of the reasons that might convince you to stay in an apartment. There are financial reasons, too. If you enjoy a reasonable rent rate, that can be a very compelling reason to stay put.

And don’t forget that even a short, in-town move comes at a cost. Even if you do everything yourself, moving will still be an expense — on top of all the start-up expenses you’re responsible for to secure a new lease and set up utilities at a new place.

Sure, maybe you’ve daydreamed about moving? We all get an itch to try something new every once in a while, but moving isn’t necessarily something to do on a whim. Consider the reasons above, and you may decide you want to stay put right where you are!

For more information on renting in Ridgeland, contact Auston Chase.

Apartmentguide.com

Many Prefer to Rent not Own

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:36:00 GMT

In the housing debate, we have been hearing about increasing rents nationwide. Yet despite the rise, renters are part of the 25% overall that say they prefer renting to owning a home. One quarter of all renters say they prefer to rent than own.

24% of Americans who rent say they plan to continue renting for the rest of their lives. Meanwhile, 47% of renters surveyed believe renting makes more sense that buying a house with regard to current economic conditions.

"The fact that a quarter of renters plan to never own a home indicates to us that the definition of the American Dream is changing,” said John Kobs, CEO and co-founder of ApartmentList.com, which conducted the “Rentonomics” Report. “While the resale market slowly recovers, it seems that more Americans are embracing renting for the long term.”

Other findings in the survey revealed that 37% of renters regard home ownership as “overrated” and not a vital life goal. Meanwhile, 24% declared they do not want to be homeowners, 39% are dissuaded by the expense of home ownership and 31% say home ownership is financially “too risky”.

For information on apartments in Ridgeland, SC, please contact Auston Chase Apartments.

Examiner

Wine and Food Festival

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

If you live in an apartment in Ridgeland, SC, go and enjoy the Hilton Head Wine and Food Festival. This festival is in its 28 year and has grown from a small wine tasting to one of the East Coast’s largest tented wine festivals and international wine competitions.

The public festival and silent auction will be held on Saturday, March 9th at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn. Admission includes a souvenir wine glass and free tastings from the domestic and international wineries, vineyards, wine distributors and more.

Great Chefs of the South Wine Dinners on Monday, March 4 thru Saturday, March 9. Award-winning wines, restaurants and melt-in-your-mouth meals are the perfect combination for the Great Chefs of the South Wine Dinners throughout Hilton Head Island.

Grand Tasting & Silent Auction, Friday, March 8 at the Sea Pines Country Club 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Sample a variety of high-quality, domestic and international award-winning wines and gourmet delights. Wine representatives are on hand from the vineyards and distributors to answer any questions. An upscale selection of wines are available in the Grand Tasting Silent Auction. Souvenir V.I.P. wine glass included.

More information on hiltonheadisland.org/winefest/

Why Chocolate?

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:45:00 GMT

Happy Valentine’s Day from Auston Chase, apartments in Ridgeland, SC. Valentine’s Day, is almost synonymous with chocolate. Is it because of tradition or because chocolate is the way to a women’s heart?

Why? Is it because of all the health benefits of chocolate? Is it because it is simply satisfying? Or, is it just the tradition of it all.

Chocolate has been referred to as “food of the gods”. Montezuma, believed chocolate was an aphrodisiac. Christopher Columbus loved chocolate so much he brought it back from Americal to pay tribute to the queen.

In 1861, Richard Cadbury created the first ever heart-shaped box for Valentine’s Day. Here the tradition of giving chocolate on this romantic holiday began. While women buy most of the chocolate all year long, men make the 75% of the chocolate purchases for Valentine’s Day.

But chocolate has some healthy traits too! The chemical phenylethylamine in chocolate leads to feelings of excitement, attraction and even pleasure.

So, enjoy the tradition, the romance and the health benefits of chocolate today.

17th Annual Hilton Head Island Gullah Festival

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 15:14:00 GMT

If you live in an apartment in Ridgeland, SC, you can enjoy the traditions of the Lowcountry all month long. The Gullah culture and traditions are celebrated at the Hilton Head Island Gullah Festival, held annually during the month of February.

You can experience Gullah culture at events like Taste of Gullah Gullah where authentic foods such as “Original Island” gumbo and “Geechee” conch stew, as well as classic barbecue, fried fish, and chicken will satisfy both the ‘foodie’ and the just plain hungry! Gullah storytelling will be on hand to bring the delightfully entertaining (and enlightening) characters of Gullah ‘trixter’ tales to life.

Other unique events that are part of the 17th Annual Gullah Festival include the two-day Arts, Crafts and Food Expo, a Gospel Show, and the Fa Da Chillun youth event presenting a poetry slam, talent show, and fashion show that will showcase the traditional forms of creative expression prevalent in the “old days”.

The Marsh Tacky Exhibition is another hands-on experience highlighting the horse breed that played a pivotal role in the daily life of the Gullah people in South Carolina; it is estimated that there are less than 300 of these horses in existence today.

The popular Gullah Celebration Oyster Roast/ Lowcountry Boil and an Old Fashioned Gullah Breakfast, both held on March 2nd, round out the festival events.

Hilton Head Insider/HiltonHeadIsland.org