Ashton Pointe Blog

This holiday break, when you are looking for something fun to do outside of your apartment community in Beaufort, we have some low cost and fun ideas. There is plenty of fun and free things do with your kids in Beaufort. Try out the 2 great playgrounds, one on the Waterfront Park and one off of Pigeon Landing. Pigeon Landing playground opened 2 years ago and has brand new facilities and excellent age appropriate equipment.

Adults can have fun at Pigeon Landing playground too, with large adult sized swings and dogs are allowed on a leash. And of course, sitting on the docks gives you a gorgeous view of the marshes and Beaufort River.
 
After play, Southern Sweets Ice Cream Parlor in Old Bay Marketplace makes a mean and reasonably priced ice-cream. You can also get very good and hearty lunch: made-to-order hot-dogs in 8 styles at $3 each), gourmet sandwiches, salads and soups. Most lunch items are around $6 and the kids menu for around $2.

Play tourist in Beaufort this week on a low budget.

What a way for everyone living in apartments in Beaufort to celebrate the New Year. By kicking off Beaufort's fourth century and saluting its 300 years of history at Founders' Night II in the city's Waterfront Park Dec. 31. Bring your family and friends to the early evening event, before your evening celebrating begins.

The event will include musical performances by choirs from Tabernacle Baptist, Carteret Street United Methodist and First Presbyterian churches, Sumitra Stewart, Marlena Smalls and the Delbert Felix Trio; and historical interludes by locals Anita Singleton-Prather, Bill Harvey Jr. and Jeff Evans. The event is free and family-oriented.

Starting at 4:30 p.m. at Waterfront Park, the closing ceremony will end at sunset, around 6, with the bang of booming fireworks over the Beaufort River.

Should you rent or buy your next home?

The common opinion is that making a rent payment instead of a mortgage or purchasing is like “throwing the money in the wastebasket.” At some point in time before the economic crash, homes were incorrectly considered an investment that would “always” go up rather than one that “may” go up.

When you consider all the pros and cons, buying may not be the best choice in all situations. Sometimes renting an apartment in Beaufort, SC may be a better choice for you.

Avoid big money commitments: Usually, one can rent for the same or less than the cost of buying and they don’t have to come up with large fees like closing costs or taxes. Also, if a mortgage is taken out, the first several years of payment are dedicated mostly to the interest, not the principal.

Many rental communities cover the costs of maintenance, landscaping and general repairs that a buyer would be responsible for themselves. A renter’s biggest expenditures are often moving and furnishings.

Flexibility: Since renting requires no substantial long-term investment, the renter has choices more often about their living situation. Moving from a bought home involves planning and costs such as commissions to real estate brokers. Also, if a home buyer wanted to sell, they could be at the mercy of the markets or not be able to sell their home at a profit.

This is the problem so many people are faced with right now. If house values continue to decline, the worst scenario for a renter is only paying until their lease expires. People who rent can’t place a value on having that freedom.

Investment Considerations: Large down payments or home purchases can make it difficult for home buyers to maintain savings and investments specified for retirement and related activities.

In some cases, the money saved by not buying could outweigh the money earned on a purchased home, depending on the investment and property appreciation. For a home buyer, the risk is higher if an unexpected sickness or injury occurs causing financial strain. Mortgage lenders have a great deal of leverage to collect the house, all the equity and the memories you’ve built into it.

What should you do? It’s easy to see that the rent vs. buy decision is more than comparing lease and mortgage payments. The reality is there are pluses and minuses to each option.

There is a compelling argument that buying right now is a great decision due to lower interest rates on mortgages, a large supply of homes to pick from and depressed prices from the highs in 2007.

But readers should be cautious of making such a big commitment of their hard-earned money based solely on the fact that someone has told you it’s a “great deal” or a “once in a lifetime chance” to buy.

For more  information on our online specials or renting in South Carolina, contact Ashton Pointe.

Original article – Bradenton.com

Right now the housing market is stagnating and real estate brokers would have potential buyers believe that there is no better time than the present to buy a home. It is true, prices are down and mortgage rates are at all-time lows.

Unfortunately for the real estate brokers, many clients are not persuaded by that logic. Instead, in increasing numbers, they are choosing to rent instead of buy — unconvinced that the housing market has yet hit bottom. Would be buyers also understand that unless you plan to stay in your home for more than 10 years, buying a home may not be the right investment for everyone.

With apartments in Beaufort, SC that are conveniently located in the Lowcountry of South Carolina and offering apartment amenities that can’t be found in homes; renting is a great option for many. There is also a broad mix of tenants in the Ashton Pointe Apartment community: young single residents and families and empty-nesters that no longer have homeownership on their wish list.

For information on beautiful one-,  and two bedroom apartments in Beaufort contact Ashton Pointe Apartment Homes.