Auston Chase Apartment Homes

This weekend, if you live in an apartment in Ridgeland, in the Beaufort area, head out to the 26th annual Gullah Festival.  This weekend everyone can celebrate the history, customs, cultures, and language of the African Americans of the Lowcountry.
 
The Gullah Festival is always held in Beaufort around Memorial Day weekend and the festival activities begin on Friday and run through Sunday. The 26th annual festival will be held at Waterfront Park with other celebrations around Beaufort.

The festival has an excellent entertainment lineup including festival featured artist, recording artist Tony Terry as well as jazz, blues, reggae, gospel, storytelling, dance, arts and crafts, food, vendors, beauty pageant, art shows, dances and plays.  The Gullah Festival is family oriented and is an excellent weekend activity for everyone. This celebration of Lowcountry culture and heritage is highlighted with authentic arts and crafts, exhibits in the Black Inventions Museum, Gullah presentations, music, workshops, dance and regional foods.

Gullah is more than the language; it is the struggle, spirituality, perseverance and tradition of the Lowcountry. Enjoy the festival!

In the American mind, renting has long symbolized striving rather than achieving. But as we climb our way out of the Great Recession, it seems something has changed. Americans are getting over the idea of owning the American dream; increasingly, they're OK with renting it.

Home ownership is on the decline, and renting is on the rise. But the trend isn't limited to the housing market. Across the board, Americans are increasingly acclimating to the idea of giving up the stability of being an owner for the flexibility of being a renter. This may sound like a decline in living standards. But the new realities of our increasingly mobile economy make it more likely that this transition from an Ownership Society to a Rentership Society.

The unsentimental fact about the American dream is that Americans never really owned it in the first place. For the past three decades, especially, consumers haven't so much bought their quality of life as they've borrowed it from banks and credit card companies.

Now consumers are following the example of corporations, becoming more efficient. And it starts at home.

Housing is the biggest single component of consumption in the U.S. economy and the source of much of our present misery. The typical consumer spends about 32% of his or her budget on shelter. In the last decade, that generally meant borrowing a lot of money to take "ownership" of a home.

During the boom, the homeownership rate grew steadily, peaking at a record 69% in 2006.

Ownership-boosters failed to note that homes purchased in 2005 and 2006 with no-money-down, interest-only mortgages weren't really bought. They were simply rented until the "owner" flipped them or walked away from the mortgage.

In the post-bust climate, renting has emerged as a much more economically efficient way to pay for housing. A one-year lease represents a far less onerous financial obligation than a 30-year mortgage. It's difficult to get into too much financial trouble as a renter. The homeownership rate has fallen from its peak in 2006 to 65.4% today.
 
For an increasing number of Americans it makes more sense to rent. According to Moody's, by late 2011 it was cheaper to rent than to own in 72% of American metropolitan areas, (such as the Beaufort and Hilton Head areas) up from 54% a decade ago. And the more people who do it, the more socially acceptable and desirable it becomes. The decline in the ownership rate means that about three million more households rent today than did at the height of the bubble.

It's tempting to view the rise of renting as an economic step backward. But many would argue the rise of renting is a sign of a system adapting to new realities.

The U.S. economy needs the dynamism that renting enables as much as, or more than, it needs the stability that ownership engenders.

And the rising popularity of renting is hardly contained to the housing market.

Finally, perhaps, Americans are absorbing a piece of wisdom from Thoreau: "And when the farmer has got his house, he may not be the richer but the poorer for it, and it be the house that has got him."

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

Wall Street Journal

You will have an enjoyable Saturday if you live in an apartment in Ridgeland, SC. On Saturday, May 12th from 12-4pm you can head on over to the 34th annual Bluffton Village Festival.

There is nothing like local art, and if you are looking for new decorations or wall hangings for your apartment home, there will be over 170 arts and crafts vendors at the festival. With great food and an ugly dog contest, the Bluffton Village Festival, also called Mayfest is a must go.

The festival is a day of fun and culture for Bluffton, Hilton Head and  Ridgeland. As we all know, Lowcountry food itself is reason enough to live here, but southern, local arts and crafts is too

Photo from Bluffton Village Festival Website.

If you live in an apartment in Ridgeland, SC, you know that the Beaufort area is beautiful. Not only is the scenery wonderful to enjoy, but the architecture is as well. Not only the historic downtown area, but the old and stately homes and plantations as well.
 
Have you always wanted to see how they look up close and personal? Now you can.

In celebration of St. Helena's Tricentennial, the 56th Annual Spring Tour of Homes will include houses, Lowcountry plantations, gardens, and historic churches.

Walking Tour
Friday, May 4
3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: $40, includes reception and entertainment
Free Organ Concert at the Parish Church of St. Helena 7 p.m.

Plantation Driving Tour
Saturday, May 5
9 a.m.-4 p.m.    Cost $60, includes lunch and entertainment

Low mortgage rates and more affordable home prices in the Beaufort area are creating an interest in home ownership by those who live in apartments. However, potential buyers who are unprepared for the true cost of owning a home may be shocked by the bite home ownership can take out of their wallet in addition to their mortgage payments.

Inspection and Appraisal Fees
Before you purchase a home you need to pay for a home inspection, and an appraisal, possible even inspections for pests or radon. The costs of these inspections are borne by buyers and are a necessary protection to avoid buying a flawed property or paying too much.

Closing Costs
Buyers need to be prepared with the cash for anywhere from 2% to 4% of the mortgage balance depending on your area.

Taxes
As a homeowner, you'll need to pay property taxes, which are generally part of the escrow you pay into each month. Remember, even if you have a fixed-rate home loan, your property taxes could go up and increase your monthly housing costs.

Insurance
Your lender will require home insurance, the cost of which depends on factors including the construction materials of your home and the location. Even if you have renter's insurance, you'll find that home insurance costs more because you are paying for the ability to rebuild your home in addition to replacing your personal possessions. Insurance costs will rise over time, and you will need supplemental insurance if you live in a flood zone.

HOA and Condo Fees
If you buy a home within a homeowners' association or a condominium association, you'll be required to pay a monthly or quarterly fee. These fees can rise, or your association may need to charge a special assessment for projects such as repaving the parking lot or repairing a roof.

Utility Bills
Depending on where you live, your costs for electricity, gas and water could be higher when you move into your own home than when you live in an apartment in Ridgeland, SC. You may also need to pay for garbage collection along with your Internet, cable and phone bill.

Furniture and Decorative Items
While this is essentially a discretionary expense, most people who move from a small apartment to a larger home need to buy at least some new furniture.
 
Lawn Care
Whether you handle your yard work yourself or hire a professional, you will have to pay something to keep your landscaping in check. Lawn equipment can be costly and you may need a snow blower or a leaf blower, too.

Maintenance
Home maintenance costs time and money. While you may be able to change your furnace filters, clean your gutters and keep your appliances running smoothly yourself, you may also need to hire a contractor to clean and inspect your chimney and to keep your heating and air conditioning system in top shape.

Repairs
While maintenance tasks can be predictable, the most costly part of homeownership typically comes with unexpected repairs such as replacing or repairing the roof, removing a tree, or paying for mold mitigation in a damp basement. The list of possibilities is endless, so homeowners should set aside savings for an emergency. Experts suggest budgeting for 1% or 2% of your mortgage balance as a yearly maintenance and repair fund.

The Bottom Line
Buying a home costs more than you think. If you don’t expect to stay in your home for at least seven to 10 years, contact Auston Chase Apartment Homes.

SF Gate

It is time to enjoy the Soft Shell Crab Festival in Port Royal. In the Ridgeland, Port Royal, Beaufort area, festivals are what we do best.  In the Low Country, where the specialty is seafood, and in particular crabs, why shouldn’t we celebrate the soft shell crab?

The Soft Shell Crab Festival is one of the most looked forward to festivals of the year. This year, the 9th Annual Soft Shell Crab Festival in Port Royal is Sat April 21st from 12 – 5 pm. With live music from the Groove Tunes, great food and drink and a classic car show, the festival is shaping up to be one of the best.   

Get out of your apartment in Ridgeland, SC and head to the festival fun day with famous "Soft Shell Crabs", food and vendors, entertainment and lots more. Admission is FREE! There will be plenty of soft shell crab cooked any way you like. But don’t stop at crabs, you can also enjoy burgers, BBQ and icy cold beverages on tap.

Spend the day in Port Royal and enjoy the festival.  

If you have just moved into your new apartment in Ridgeland, SC you are probably wondering how to meet people. Well, this is the perfect time of year for getting outside and socializing with the neighbors. Apartments are the perfect place to make friends and meet people in your community.

Your apartment community has beautiful grounds, get outside and enjoy them. If you are new to the area and don’t know anyone, or if you just want to meet others, this is a great place to start. Every day, members of your apartment community are out and about enjoying the area. When people are outside relaxing and having a good time, they are more apt to socialize and open to meeting someone new.  This is a great place to break the ice.

Get outside and enjoy the grill area and the beautiful pool. Auston Chase also has a beautiful club house and a state-of-the-art fitness center. If you like to play pool or you like to work out, you will certainly meet people with similar interests here.

If you enjoy cooking, or want to try some fun recipes, start a supper club. Put up a community post and see if there are any others who would like to join. Alternate each dinner night in different apartments within your community. Have themes if you’d like, such as seafood night, appetizers and wine night or Mardi Gras.

Be creative in how you try to meet people. There are surely others who want to meet the neighbors too.

If you live in the Low Country, you know that if the month has an "R" in it, oysters are in season. But April says it is the last month of oyster season. So get your friends together in your apartment in Ridgeland, SC and have an oyster roast to welcome spring. The Oyster Roast is a culinary custom in South Carolina.

These gatherings are typical to South Carolina where the oysters are the best. Why are South Carolina oysters better than all others?
 
Our oysters tend to be smaller, more salty and incredibly flavorful. In  South Carolina oyster “season” begins in September, just in time to be steamed on grills through April.

Recipe for a Charcoal grill Low Country Oyster Roast:

Prepare grill for cooking. You’ll need about 15 pounds of charcoal total.

Prick bratwursts and chorizo in several places with a fork, then grill, covered, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Scatter about 12 more charcoal pieces over glowing coals and replace rack.

Fold burlap into a triple layer that is slightly smaller than grill surface and soak completely with water. Put 3 to 4 dozen oysters directly on grill rack, cover with wet burlap, and roast, without grill cover, until shells just begin to open or give slightly when squeezed with tongs, about 10 minutes.

Sprinkle more water over the burlap to keep moist if needed.
 
Serve oysters as they open, removing them with tongs, and roast any unopened oysters a few minutes longer, replacing burlap. Roast remaining oysters in batches the same way, adding more charcoal between batches to keep fire hot and keep the burlap very wet.

Gas grill method:

Follow the charcoal grill method for sausages and oysters.

“He was a bold man that first ate an oyster.”
—Jonathan Swift

There are a lot of things you could say about how wonderful it is to live in an apartment in Ridgeland, SC. The area of Beaufort, Ridgeland, Hilton Head and Bluffton are rich in southern charm and scenery. The Southern and Low Country food has made its own mark and cultural events and destinations abound.

The weekend of April 7th is no different. From noon to 5:30 p.m., enjoy an afternoon of music - pickers and listeners welcome. Bluegrass, Country, old time and Folk Music will all be available on stages throughout the park. Are you a musician? Do you enjoy a jam with friends? Grab your instruments because open jams throughout Waterfront Park are welcome. There will also be stage performances by various groups.

As we approach summer gas prices may get as high as $5.00/gallon! If you live in an apartment in Ridgeland, SC and you like to drive in and around the Beaufort and Bluffton area and enjoy the Low Country on your summer weekends, gas mileage is very important.

You can improve your car’s gas mileage. If you do them all, you can increase your gas mileage by 50%. When you bought your car you had a specified number of miles per gallon, but you may not be seeing that mileage today. Why?

Don’t neglect regular scheduled maintenance.  If it has been awhile since you have had a tune up on your car, schedule one! Be sure to keep up on your car’s regular maintenance. Regularly maintained cars get the best gas mileage. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Check your tire pressure. Your tires can directly affect your gas mileage. As the temperature changes, so does the pressure in your tires. Regularly check that your tires have the required PSI. When the pressure in your tires is too low, your tires no longer work efficiently, they work like water balloons. With too much surface on the road, there is too much friction causing your car to work harder. Your gas mileage can be dramatically affected by poor tire pressure.

Believe it or not, changing your driving habits can affect your gas mileage. The way you drive affects how much gas you burn. Not planning to stop, revving up and slowing down and driving over the speed limit all use too much gas.  By changing your behavior behind the wheel, you can increase the gas mileage in your car.

Enjoy the summer and enjoy the ride. Keep money in your pocket as gas prices rise, follow these tips to increase your gas mileage.