Auston Chase Apartment Homes

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.

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.

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.

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

Many people are told when they are younger that renting is only for college graduates or people who cannot afford to buy.  Many parents hammer these ideas into their children and tell them that renting is equivalent to throwing money away every month.  Fortunately, today people are beginning to finally think for themselves and challenge these ideas.  Here are 4 reasons to pat yourself on the back for deciding to rent an apartment in Ridgeland, SC at an HHHunt Community!
 
1.  Renting can save money

At the very minimum you’ll be shelling out PITI for your home. That is:

1. Principal
2. Interest
3. Tax
4. Insurance

The PITI doesn’t include property maintenance like maintaining the yard, paint, plumbing, repairs, decorating, etc… When you rent an apartment in Ridgeland at an HHHunt community, the monthly payment is almost always quite a bit less than the PITI in your area and there are no maintenance expenses!

2. Homeowners’ tax deductions are overstated

According to research quoted by MSN, “… half of homeowners don’t get a break, because even with mortgage interest and property taxes, their total deductions do not exceed the standard federal tax deduction ($11,900 for couples and $5,450 for singles)”.

For these folks, it’s like spending $100 to save $20. They’re better off saving the difference and investing it.   Even if there is a “break” on your taxes, you typically had to spend more than you would have spent to rent to get back that $20 for every $100 spent in interest payments.

3. Renting gives you flexibility

For the up and coming young professional, you’re better off renting and saving for a few years than to buy a small condo. Who knows how fast you will outgrow it?  When you own a home, you can’t always sell it when you need to sell it at the price you want to sell it in order to accept a new employment opportunity.  If you have owned a home and don’t want the constant maintenance responsibility, renting gives you the opportunity to enjoy your weekends instead of completing that “to do” list.

4.  Our superb service teams!

Most apartment communities offer 24 hour emergency maintenance and technicians who are skilled in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical.  At an HHHunt Community, our service teams take great pride in offering prompt and professional service to you.  Whether you need a light bulb changed or a new compressor for your AC unit, we are there to take care of you as fast and efficient as possible.  We are always a phone call or email away and most service requests are performed on the same day or within 24 hours!

It is the New Year, and for many in our apartments in Ridgeland, SC this is the perfect time to get a fresh start. New Year’s Resolutions and ideas to have a great year are the topics of conversation this time of year. Many have a holiday tradition that will certainly give you a leg up in the luck department.

There are a variety of foods that are believed to be lucky and to improve the odds that next year will be a great one. What is interesting is that all over the world the foods eaten on New Year’s Eve consist of the same major categories: grapes, greens, fish, pork, legumes, and cakes.

Grapes
New Year's revelers in Spain consume twelve grapes at midnight—one grape for each stroke of the clock.

Cooked Greens
Cooked greens, including cabbage, collards, kale, and chard, are consumed at New Year's in different countries for a simple reason — their green leaves look like folded money, and are thus symbolic of economic fortune.

Legumes
Legumes including beans, peas, and lentils are also symbolic of money. Their small, seedlike appearance resembles coins that swell when cooked so they are consumed with financial rewards in mind.
In Italy, it's customary to eat cotechino con lenticchie or sausages and green lentils, just after midnight

In the Southern United States, it's traditional to eat black-eyed peas or cowpeas in a dish called hoppin' john.
 
Pork
The custom of eating pork on New Year's is based on the idea that pigs symbolize progress.
 
Fish
Cod has been a popular feast food since the Middle Ages. The Danish eat boiled cod, in Italy, baccalà, or dried salt cod, is enjoyed from Christmas through New Year's; herring is consumed at midnight in Poland and Germany; the Swedish New Year feast is usually a smorgasbord with a variety of fish dishes such as seafood salad. In Japan, herring roe is consumed for fertility, shrimp for long life, and dried sardines for a good harvest

Cakes
Round or ring-shaped baked goods have special emphasis at New Year’s.

If you are looking for a recipe to bring to a New Year’s Eve party in Ridgeland, Beaufort or Hilton Head this weekend, bring some food with luck! Happy New Year from Auston Chase Apartment Homes.

Food information from Epicurious