Ashton Pointe Blog

As a resident of apartments in Beaufort, you are invited to join Historic Beaufort Foundation and Main Street Beaufort for a unique dining experience.

Chefs Brian Waters (Saltus River Grill) and Christopher Hewitt (Southern Graces Bistro) are preparing a delicious four course Lowcountry dinner featuring fresh cobia with an emphasis on local and sustainable produce.

This unforgettable event will be held in a special location that will be kept secret until just two days before the event.

The Supper Society dinner is on Thursday, May17th at 7:00pm. The location and full menu will be revealed to guests on Tuesday, May 15th. $65 per person B.Y.O.B. Seating is very limited so an R.S.V.P. is required

Call 843-379-3331 or 843-525-6644 to make reservations or for more information. Reservations can also be made online by going to the Historic Beaufort Foundation website.

All proceeds benefit preservation and revitalization efforts in Beaufort.

Historic Beaufort Foundation

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.

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

One of the most popular home ownership myths in Beaufort, SC is that owning a house is a huge tax break as compared to renting.  I don’t know how many times people have personally told me that they want to buy a home because they NEED a tax deduction!  I just shake my head in disbelief because I have done the math.  

If your mortgage interest and other qualifying expenses such as charity contributions aren’t more than the standard deduction, ($11,600 for joint filers in 2011), there is no tax advantage to owning a home as opposed to renting an apartment in Beaufort, SC .  Assume that you buy a $200,000 house with a 5% downpayment at a 6% interest rate.  Your mortgage interest for the year would be $11,336.  The Standard Deduction for joint filers is $11,600.  

In this example, there is NO TAX BENEFIT.  Even when there is a tax benefit, you most likely paid much more money to maintain the house than you are saving in taxes.  If your mortgage interest is more than the standard deduction and you choose to itemize, there is little to no advantage.  

For example, assume that your mortgage interest in 2011 is $15,000.  You would get to deduct an additional $3400 if you itemize BUT you spent $15,000 in mortgage interest to save $850 on your taxes (assuming 25% tax bracket).    

Don’t forget that you would also have all of the other expenses of home ownership that you would not have incurred when renting an apartment in Beaufort in an HHHunt community.

In South Carolina, everyone knows that any month with an "R" in it means oyster season is here. Gather your friends from your apartment in Beaufort and have an oyster roast; tis the season. When there is an undercurrent of chill in the air it is the perfect time for that culinary coastal custom of the Lowcountry: the Oyster Roast.
 
These gatherings typical to South Carolina are held most often during the winter months when the oysters are not spawning, and their taste is at its best. Why are they better than all other oysters?

South Carolina oysters tend to be smaller, more salty and incredibly flavorful. South Carolina’s oyster “season” begins in September, just in time to be steamed on grills and included in savory fall casseroles and stews.

Charcoal grill method for sausages and oysters:
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 eat an oyster.”
—Jonathan Swift

Home owners and renters of apartments in Beaufort, SC can enjoy the 17th Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival on Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1.

The South Carolina Shrimpers Association brings you this fun filled event. Deas Guyz will play live music while you enjoy crafts, shrimp and fun in the Waterfront Park in Downtown Historic Beaufort. There will be plenty of fun, food and kids activity, including a Children’s Shrimp Peeling Competition.

Saturday at 8am the 5k Popcorn Shrimp Run begins. There is also a craft market and children’s area. There will also be fresh South Carolina wild caught shrimp sold off working shrimp boats, 15 local restaurants serving wild caught local shrimp. But don’t worry there will be choices for those who only want turf rather than surf.

Some of the best eats are in the restaurant competition and the live entertainment on the Pavilion Stage. What a perfect way to bring in the fall in Beaufort.

There is always something exciting to do in Beaufort and this weekend is no different. Coinciding with a retreat for wounded veterans held in Beaufort this weekend, called Lt. Dan Weekend, will be a tricentennial parade, a concert and a 5k run. The cornerstone of the events is actor Gary Sinise.

Gary Sinise, from CSI NY, also known as Lt. Dan in Forest Gump, will be the Grand Marshall of the Tricentennial parade.  But even better, Gary Sinise and his band, the Lt. Dan Band, will perform on Friday night.

Beaufort, SC is 300 years old this year, and the festivities begin on Friday night with the Lt. Dan Band and continue into Saturday with the Tricentennial Parade. The one-of-a-kind parade, put together by the Historic Beaufort Foundation, begins at 10am on Bladen Street immediately following the Lt Dan 5K.

Living in an apartment in Beaufort, SC? Come on out and celebrate and support our veterans. Get a free concert ticket for every $20, $15 for Military, donated to this great event to help bring more than 100 wounded veterans and their caregivers to Beaufort for the weekend.  Help us bring our community together in a show of support for some of the veterans who have been wounded in service to our country.

Like many significant historic events, we all remember where we were on September 11. It’s hard to believe that it was a decade ago. Next week marks a significant anniversary in our country. We are remembering the past and welcoming the future.

There are numerous events around South Carolina to commemorate the events of the day the planes hit the twin towers. Regardless of if you live on the East Coast or West Coast, New York City, Tennessee, or an apartment in Ridgeland, SC, the events of September will be remembered by all Americans.

The City of Beaufort and local Churches will host a September 11 remembrance at Waterfront Park beginning at 8:30am with a Civic Ceremony, followed at 10:30am with a 9/11 Service.  This is the tenth anniversary of 9/11, and our community is coming together to remember and commemorate the fallen.

If you live in a home or apartment in Beaufort, South Carolina, here's a great hurricane awareness check list  to look at.

Secure Your Home

• Put freestanding objects inside
• Plan for your pets. Make sure you have pet food, collar and leash and crates, if necessary
• Designate a safe room with no widows or exterior walls.

Plan for Your Personal Safety and Security

• Keep emergency phone numbers by the phone; include out-of-state contacts for family members.
• Assemble an emergency preparedness kit (enough supplies for three to five days) with bottled water (one gallon per person per day), battery-operated radio or TV with extra batteries, first aid kit, flashlight and packaged snacks. Remember to include baby supplies and food, manual can opener, hand sanitizer or wipes, and extra house and car keys.
• Gather all necessary prescriptions and medical supplies to take at a moment's notice.
• Place all important documents -- including your insurance policies -- in a waterproof bag to take with you. include documents like wills, deeds, birth and tax records, and marriage certificate, proof of residence, home photos, and driver's license and vehicle registration. Include house and car keys
• Take cash and change
• Listen to media broadcasts, especially paying attention to any calls for evacuation
• Call 311 (Emergency Evacuation Assistance) if a family member needs special care.

Check Your Insurance Coverage

• Flood and windstorm insurance are not automatically covered by renters insurance.
• Take photos of your home before the storm.
• Take camera to take photos of damage.

Nothing beats this time of year in Beaufort, SC. The Low Country is an area with beautiful scenery, architecture, and weather, so get outside. Staying healthy, is easy with such beautiful weather and so many things to see. There is an easy way stay fit, go for a walk. Walking fits into any schedule, and it can be done alone or with a friend.

It is easy to get to know your neighbors better when you walk. When you get outside you meet others who are outside. Start with smiles, and then conversations begin. If you’ve just moved in to your apartment in Beaufort, SC start a walking group with a few of your neighbors. There will certainly be a few others that want to get outside, get walking and get healthy. By walking you can better your health and enjoy your neighbors.

Did you know that a simple 2 mile a day walk can decrease your risk of heart disease by up to 40%? And, walking for 15 minutes a day gets us our daily dose of vitamin D.  Increased health and well being have been proven with any type of daily walking regimen.