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

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.  

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.

Calling all liars and storytellers living in apartments in Ridgeland, Bluffton and Beaufort, SC  it is time for The Beaufort Intergalactic Storytelling Festival & Liars Competition!  ARTworks, in partnership with Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry, is proud to announce this amazing event March 8th through March 11th 2012!!!!

The inaugural Beaufort Intergalactic Storytelling Festival and Liars Competition blasts off March 8-11, 2012! It's an esteemed gathering of those who shoot the breeze with the greatest of ease, of the lying liars and the audiences who laugh with them, all in performances and workshops over 4 days and 3 nights, including children's events, special theater events, concerts, and audience participation activities.

In Beaufort SC, everyone wants to hear some good stories. This new, fantastical event is a collaboration from ARTworks, the community arts center in Beaufort, with the Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry and the Lowcountry Storytellers Guild. The launchpad is Beaufort Town Center.

Beaufortcountyarts.com

If you live in an apartment in Ridgeland, SC, you know you live in one of the coolest place in the south with loads of recreational activities at your fingertips along with some of the best food around. Now combine the two, fun and food, and you get the St. Peter's Annual Oyster Roast & Microbrew Festival.

St. Peter's Annual Oyster Roast & Microbrew Festival will be held on Sat. March 3rd at Live Oakd Park in Port Royal starts at 1:00pm and goes to….

Tickets are $25 per person for all you can eat oysters and beer. Live music including "Steppin Stones”, Silent Auction, Raffles and Games.  Fun for the whole family!  There is a supervised, secure and FREE Children's Area with face painting, inflatable rides, games and entertainment.

Don’t miss the food court featuring signature delicacies for sale from local chefs - special FREE kids' menu. Tickets on sale at the St Peter's School Office and at Bill's Liquors and Fine Wines in Lady's Island and in Bluffton.

The Oyster Roast Committee organizes this annual fundraiser in support of their children’s school.
 
WHO: St. Peter’s Catholic School Oyster Roast Committee
WHAT: 7th Annual Oyster Roast and International Microbrew Festival
WHEN: 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 3rd, 2012 (rain date Sun. 3/4)
WHERE: “The Live Oaks Park” in Port Royal, SC
CONTACT: Douglas Massalon, Committee Chairman – (843) 227-1280

If you live in an apartment in Ridgeland, SC, this is a big week. Beaufort welcomes movie buffs from around the country at the 6th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival.

The Beaufort International Film Festival grew from 500 people the first year, to 5,000 people last year.  The festival has cultivated a following across the country. Attendance has almost doubled every year since the festival began. Contestants this year come from as far away as California, Wisconsin and New York.

More than 30 filmmakers will attend this year's event, which started yesterday and runs through February 19th. Emmy-winning actor Powers Boothe will be honored with the Jean Ribaut Award for Excellence in Acting.
 
All screenings and workshops will be held at the University of South Carolina, Beaufort, Center for the Arts. Tickets are now available. Screenings will be Thursday through Saturday afternoon. An awards ceremony will be held Saturday night.
 
The Beaufort Film Society is a nonprofit, member-supported organization, dedicated to providing the highest levels of entertainment and education to you from all areas of the film industry.

The festival turned a (very small) profit for the first time last year. It will cost about $30,000 to stage this year's festival, and festival coordinators hope to break even. Profits would go toward the next year's festival.

Information from ABC and Island Packet

So you have been sitting around your apartment in Ridgeland, SC trying to think of a great Valentines’ Day gift idea? Because nothing says I love you quite like a...

When it comes to Valentine's Day, gifts and surprises should come from the heart, and they should be meant for the person you love...or really like.

A necklace from a local Beaufort artist is a really wonderful idea. It is unique and pretty, just like your significant other.

Remember too, Valentine's Day doesn't have to be about spending a lot of money, or any money for that matter. You can get right to your valentine’s heart with a hand written valentine card or homemade dinner.

Here are some Valentine's Day ideas, some are sentimental and some are more materialistic. Got more ideas, add a comment.

• A handwritten card
• A mix playlist
• Dinner, out or at home
• Of course the traditional flowers or chocolate
• Breakfast, (in bed maybe)
• Take a cooking class together
• A book for private time or game for together time
• A goldfish in a bowl.
• Manicure and/or pedicure, massage gift certificates
• Jewelry, make it unique, but that does not mean expensive
• A coffee mug from a LowCountry potter, and a pound of coffee
• Boxers with hearts on them