Ashton Pointe Blog

You have probably heard by now that gas prices will only be going up and as we approach summer they may be as high as $5.00/gallon! If you live in an apartment in Beaufort, SC and you like to drive around Hilton Head, Beaufort and the South Carolina coastline on your summer weekend, 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 car 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 air 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.

With so much to see and do in the Beaufort area, enjoy the ride. Keep your money in your pocket as gas prices rise, follow these tips to increase your gas mileage.

If you plan on taking your Christmas tree out of your apartment in Beaufort, you have until January 7th to get it to the Naval Heritage Park in Port Royal. There the Beaufort County's Grinding of the Greens program will be grinding Christmas trees into mulch to be used in the spring.
 
It is the perfect way to give back to Beaufort  in this season of giving. Residents and local municipalities can pick up mulch for free for about a week after Jan. 7. The remaining mulch will be used around the county in public plantings.

Last year, about 3,000 Christmas trees were ground into almost 25 tons of mulch. That's 25 tons of material diverted from landfills and put back into the ground it came from.

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.

Halloween has passed and the weather is starting to cool. Fall is here. Ashton Pointe, apartments in Beaufort, SC has some great ideas for art projects to do with the kids this fall. Decorate your apartment homes and entry doors with some of these great ideas.

Leaf rubbing - What you will need:

Real leaves
Thick white paper
Crayons
Oil paints

Have your children position and reposition leaves under the paper while rubbing over the paper with force enough to make the leaf details appear on the paper. As they change colors and leaf types, a blanket of fall leaves emerges. The resulting artwork serves as an independent piece of art or as the background for a marker drawing, piece of writing or a collage.

Fall Wreath - What you will need:

Bag to collect things from nature
Paper plate
Scissor
Markers
Ribbons
Glue

Take your children on a nature walk, where they can collect various items — twigs, leaves, acorns and berries. There are gorgeous places to walk in and around Beaufort. Have them cut out the center of a paper plate and use fall-colored crayons to color the remaining circle. They can then glue the nature items they have collected onto their paper plates, creating a wreath. Decorate the wreath further by attaching a decorative ribbon or sea shells to the paper plate as well.

Lady bug pumpkin - What you will need:

1 small pumpkin
Old newspaper
Red spray paint
2 large googely eyes
2 black pipe cleaners
25 mini black pom-poms
2 mini red pom-poms
Glue
Black magic marker

Place your pumpkin on top of the newspaper. Help your child spray paint the whole pumpkin red. Let it dry. Glue on the eyes and pom-poms. Draw a mouth and wrap the black pipe cleaners around the stem (attach two of the red pom-poms with glue to the end of the black pipe cleaners). All done. Easy and adorable!

We can’t wait to see your creations around Ashton Pointe.

As if you needed another reason to move into an apartment in Beaufort, SC, but here is a good one, your kids.

An organization founded by former Secretary of State Colin Powell has named Beaufort County one of America's best communities for youth.

The honor was announced Wednesday by the America's Promise Alliance. The alliance considers the reduction of school dropout rates, health initiatives and opportunities for students to help others.

The Beaufort application highlighted the work of several agencies, including Together for Beaufort County, a group of about 110 professionals who help coordinate services for children and families.

The award includes $2,500, a conference to share ideas with community leaders and access to grant money.

Powell and his wife, Alma, started the America's Promise Alliance in 1997.

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

October is loads of fun. Take the kids and enjoy a couple of the upcoming festivals scheduled for next weekend.

Festival of the Sea in the Old Village of Port Royal on October 15th has a pirate theme this year. The 3K Walk the Plank for CODA will kick off the Festival.  While listening to live music enjoy seafood, burgers, BBQ and more, with your favorite cold beverages.

Port Royal has so many quaint shops. Visit the local shops and check out our craft and artisan booths. Collector Car Display, kid activities, underwater pumpkin carving and much more! Don’t miss this opportunity to visit the Pirates of Port Royal, or become one of them.
 
Admission is free, oh, remember to bring your eye patch!

Also on October 15th, are the Beaufort Exchange Club Ghost Tours. Take a carriage ride or walking tour through Beaufort’s historic district while listening to costumed storytellers tell haunting tales of the area. One of the oldest ghosts in America is said to live in “the Castle,” a 19th century renovated estate located on the river in downtown Beaufort. Some of Beaufort’s oldest residents have shared ghostly stories from their childhood.

Ashton Pointe, an apartment community in Beaufort, SC wishes you all a fun festival season in the Lowcountry.

You are lucky to be looking for an apartment in Beaufort, SC. Southern Living readers call this city one of the “Best Small Towns in the South”. Beaufort is often described as a smaller version of its historic big city sisters, Savannah and Charleston. We are proud to be a bit off the beaten path, but don’t let that fool you. Ashton Pointe Apartment Homes are luxurious.

Ashton Pointe offers comfort, beauty and inspired living unmatched in the Beaufort area. Situated in a gorgeous setting, Ashton Pointe offers spacious one bedroom apartments and two bedroom apartments with abundant light, modern apartment amenities, an invigorating zero-entry pool with grilling area and an excellent location. Above all, there is plenty to do and see in Beaufort.

Enjoy refreshingly new, spacious apartment floor plans featuring 9-foot ceilings, expansive windows, elegant crown molding and open kitchens with maple cabinets.

With beautiful apartments in Beaufort, SC, this fun, relaxing and completely southern town can be your home. Contact us.

The Beaufort area has plenty to do. You can eat, shop, watch live music or just relax on the water. In Beaufort you get all this with a down home, community feel.

All summer, residents of homes and apartments in Beaufort, SC who are fans of live music have been able to enjoy the StreetMusic series in Port Royal. This year's StreetMusic series was a celebration of American Roots music.

It is that time of year, and the final concert of the season will be on September 24th. The free concert takes place on Paris Avenue in Port Royal at 6 pm. The concert features Woody Pines, a ragtime, viper jazz and country blues group.  Here is a sample of his music. 



Good news though, through the month of October, ARTworks will feature a low-cost live concert every Friday night.