November 2015 | Beaufort & Surrounding Areas | A publication of The Island News | To advertise call Kim Newton at 843-575-0396
EXPLORE YOUR FLOOR! HARDWOOD OPTIONS
Remodel now, save later IT’S ALL ABOUT EFFICIENCY PAGE 7
COVER HOME: BEAUTIFUL HOME WITH GREAT VIEWS ON DATAW. PROPERTY DETAILS ON THE COLDWELL BANKER AD (PAGE 8).
REMODELING | NOVEMBER 2015
Is kitchen remodeling cost-effective? By Leonard Simmons
So, you have made the decision to remodel your home. Kitchen remodeling is one of the first rooms that homeowners explore with regard to renovations. The kitchen is the main gathering place in the home for families and friends. It is the area where socialization happens frequently, so it makes perfect sense to choose to remodel this room in your home first. The project can be extremely fun and should be looked upon as such. There are so many small changes that can be made to completely transform this room that it is mind boggling. Let us talk a bit about whether this remodeling project is a sound financial decision. First, you should look at the long-term picture. Are you remodeling the kitchen for your own preferences, or will you be selling the home at any point in the future? Either way, renovations to the kitchen can help save money in the future. If you are planning to stay in the home, you can employ some new choices that can help save on your monthly utility bills. You can opt for new energy efficient windows that can save you on your
monthly electric payments. You can install low flow faucets to save on water consumption. You can also buy appliances that are more energy efficient as well. You will also experience personal satisfaction that your new
Collins Group Realty
Structured to Serve
kitchen is more operational and updated than it was previously. If you are planning on selling your home in the future, you can expect a very significant return on your investment. If you ask any realtor, they will tell you that one of the first things a potential buyer is interested in is the kitchen. If your kitchen is fresh and updated with contemporary finishes (counters, cabinets, flooring) it will make your home stand out against homes that have a more dated kitchen. You can expect to get a return of at least 40% of your remodeling investment when you go to list your home. You can get a higher sales price due to the upgrades. A home kitchen makeover is a very prudent choice, especially if you can only remodel one room. The kitchen is central to the home and you spend a lot of time there cooking, eating and socializing. The benefits of new and updated appliances and other elements far outweigh the costs you may incur. You will be surprised at how far you can get on your proposed budget. When your project is finished, you will realize it was money well spent.
Build your Lowcountry dream home on one of these fantastic waterfront lots!
1425 Pigeon Point
126 Heyward Point Road
130 Heyward Point Road
Lot F, Cassique Creek
12 Woodstork Landing
Under Contract! Downtown Beaufort
Heyward Point
Heyward Point
Palm Key
Callawassie Island
Rare opportunity to build your Lowcountry dream home in beautiful Beaufort! Spectacular 0.75 acre waterfront lot on intracoastal waterway features a 20’ bluff with private beach. Located in the charming Pigeon Point neighborhood that’s just minutes to the very best of downtown Beaufort.
Lake-front acreage for only $70,000! This 1.26 acre, estate-size homesite provides expansive water views, mature live oaks, & ample area to build your custom home. With a community preserve to the right, and adjacent lot to the left available, you have the potential for +-10 acres of privacy.
1.49 acre, lake-front homesite available for purchase in Heyward Point, a 515 acre gated community nestled between the Colleton and Okatie Rivers. Amenities include a quiet, intimate environment, boat storage and clubhouse. Adjacent lot at 126 Heyward Point also available for purchase.
Offering panoramic views of the Broad River, this beautiful .5 acre home-site offers the best location and value combined for waterfront living. An incredible opportunity to live on a private cul-de-sac with quick access to Bluffton, Beaufort, Ridgeland and Hilton Head Island. Ready for city water and sewer.
Fantastic, bank-owned homesite in one of the Lowcountry’s most beautiful areas. Come and see this .65 acre lot with creek views on a private, cul-de-sac street. Luxurious amenities include tennis, river club, fitness center, boat docks, security and some of the most scenic landscapes around!
$199,900
$69,000
$69,000
$69,250
$10,000
843-837-6700 | www.CollinsGroupRealty.com
SOMERSET POINT Manorhouse is offering stylish new finishes in the few remaining homes in Somerset Point as they prepare for the ground breaking expansion. In keeping with the craftsmanship and quality that residents have come to enjoy, Somerset Point will be expanding with an additional 36 homesites in just a few short months. Future home owners are already reserving their choice of new floor plans along with gorgeous lots guarded beautifully by live oaks in the 250-315k price point. Currently Somerset Point has homes under construction with the latest in stylish finishes, true Hardi-Plank siding and floor plans to suit a variety of needs including homes with marsh/river views, homes ready to personalize, homes ready for move in now and homes nearing completion. Somerset Point continues to be one of the most sought after communities offering spacious yards, incredible quality and the low country landscape of beautiful Ladys Island. Manorhouse Builders offers Military Incentives, options to customize and a reliable warranty that offers peace of mind to homeowners. The Sales Office is open Wednesday-Saturday 12-5 and by appointment.
CHERIMIE C WEATHERFORD
Manorhouse Builders of SC | Cherimie@Eastbaycompany.com | 843-812-2090 | www.somersetpointbeaufort.com
HARDWOOD FLOORING | NOVEMBER 2015
My thoughts on wood flooring By Matt Torr
Installing wood flooring in your home will add value and character. There are many different options to choose from. Here are a few: Solid wood flooring: Doesn’t really need an explanation...it’s a solid piece of wood...from a tree! Solid wood flooring looks and feels great but it’s not for everyone. It’s a natural product and hence has a few characteristics which need pointing out. All timber, once felled, will continue to react to its environment with respect to moisture levels. Higher humidity = expansion, lower humidity = contraction. If you have an environment in which the humidity fluctuates significantly like Beaufort, you should think seriously before installing solid wood flooring. Older properties that don’t have modern moisture protection in their kitchens and bathrooms can potentially cause problems with newly installed natural wood floors. Newly built houses can retain residual moisture in concrete floors and also cause problems for wooden floors. If you are in any doubt we would recommend getting a local flooring specialist to do a quick moisture test. Underfloor heating can also pose significant problems to solid wood flooring and as a
general rule- of- thumb; we would discourage installing solid wood over underfloor heating. Now let’s get on to wear and tear. Solid wood will mark. Period. If you’re going to get stressed about dings and scratches, forget it. Of course you could always put socks on your dogs and make your house guests wear slippers! It’s a natural product and will produce a ‘patina’ over time. Personally I love rustic grade solid wood...as it starts out a little less than perfect and has a great, warm, lived in feel to it and you won’t get stressed when the dog skids in chasing the cat or your child drops a metal toy... life’s too short to get stressed!! What about Parquet Flooring? Parquet, or block flooring is generally installed by sticking oak blocks in a regular pattern, typically herringbone to a solid floor. The installation of block flooring should only be attempted by fully competent individuals who have access to specialist tools. We do not recommend the DIY approach! Let’s take a look at engineered wood flooring: Engineered...what?? Don’t worry, nobody has ever heard of engineered wood flooring. So here goes...prepare to be enlightened. It’s basically a layer of ‘real wood’ bonded to
a softwood base....that’s it...easy wasn’t it? Why? Well it’s all about dimensional stability...we’re no longer dealing with a fully natural product so the manufacturers build in greater stability. The bottom line is it will look and feel like solid wood but you can use it over underfloor heating and in areas that are not suitable for solid wood installations. It comes in a traditional tongue and groove (think nailed down floorboards) and in floating or click systems akin to laminate flooring. So it really is incredibly versatile...it uses far less of the raw natural resource…which is no bad thing and it can be as easy to lay as a click system laminate. Sounds perfect, right? Well, don’t forget the top layer is still real wood so you will need to bear in mind the wear and tear points brought up in the solid wood section. Let’s take a look at laminate flooring: OK this is easy…most people know about laminates. They are made by bonding an image...basically a photograph onto a softwood base. An ultra-hard wearing surface is then applied. They come in endless styles and colors and can be fitted by anyone with reasonable skill levels. Some laminates come with a 50 year domestic use guarantee...which gives you some idea how hard wearing they are. If you’ve got a busy house or you want some of the slightly more ‘out there’ designs they really are a great choice.
Coosaw Cottage Homesite 43
The Duval Homesite 41
Columbus Cottage Homesite 44
3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, First Floor Master, Bonus Rooms, Hardwood Flooring Downstairs, Double Car Garage, Fire Place
3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, Hardwood Flooring Downstairs, Open Floorplan, Downstairs Master Bedroom, Large Screened Porch, Construction by Allen Patterson Southern Living Builder
3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Open Floorplan, Large Screened Porch, Fireplace, Large Master Suite, Two Car Garage
$436,000
AVAILABLE JANUARY 2016
$441,000
$419,000
City Walk
, with its low country architecture and ideal location, is one of South Carolina’s premier addresses. East West Communities is developing City Walk in historic downtown Beaufort. Now underway, this creekside community is within walking distance to shops, restaurants, parks, art galleries, and museums. Nestled in a park-like setting, City Walk features 49 single family homes with garages, most featuring first-floor master bedrooms. Home prices start in the mid-$300,000s.
420 Commons Circle | Beaufort, SC 29902 | (843) 524-WALK | www.citywalkbeaufort.com | East West Communities | Equal Housing Opportunity
When You Are Ready To Buy OR Sell Consider A Team Loaded With Experience In The Beaufort Market
BRAND NEW ROOF! Home has a private dock & 9,000 lb lift on ICW. 3/2.5, 2454 sf, 2 car garage. Carolina sunsets. Fenced yard, perfect for pets. Great fishing. Handicapped lift installed in garage. MLS 141164 Call PAT $545,000
PORT ROYAL spacious 1-1/2 story custom 3/2.5, 2752 sf home. Large rooms and exceptional storage spaces. Corner lot with large attached double garage and rear deck. MLS 142740 Call MIKE $207,500
INTRACOASTAL HOME on deep water. Private dock, new float . 1/2 acre yard, paved circular drive & mature landscaping. Freshly painted, new carpet & appliances. MLS 143466 Call MARTHA $385,000
Coastal Proper ties “Independently Owned & Operated”
Weichert Works For You!
Call for a Free Market Analysis to See What Your Home is Worth or Stop by our office located at 1613 North Street, Beaufort, SC 29902
Military Personnel and Families... Call Today and ask about our Military Rebate Program!
WeichertCP.com • 843.379.3010
Hilton Head
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Bluffton
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Sun City/Okatie
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WATER HEATERS | NOVEMBER 2015
Should you switch to a tankless water heater? We all know hot water is very much a necessity. Most of us have water heaters at home and don’t give them a second thought; we just assume we will have hot water on a daily basis. Until you are standing in the shower and the water goes cold because someone in the other part of the house decides to turn on the hot water at the same time. If this sounds familiar, it may be time to consider that tankless hot water system you have been reading about. So what are some advantages of a tank-
less water heater? The biggest one is how it can save you money. Did you know that most conventional heaters make up for almost 20% of your household energy consumption? Think about that for a moment. Twenty percent is a lot of consumption when you begin adding up the cost of electricity to run all the different household items that make up your energy bill; clothes dryers, stoves, heat, washing machines, lights, hair dryers, and the list goes on and on. So when you think about it on this level, 20% for the use of hot water is a big chunk of your electric bill. If you are a home owner that wants to save money and enjoy effective water heating, it may be time for a tankless water heater. Tankless hot water heaters are energy
$224,900
405 BB Sams Drive
Darling 3/2 with fabulous curb appeal. Lots of updates and priced to sell!
843-605-3414 ERA EVERGREEN www.datawforyou.com mary.hanby@era.com
R DE
UN
469 BB Sams Drive
efficient. It is thought that they can cut your heating cost to up to 30%. If your hot water is costing you up to 20% of your energy bill based on a conventional hot water tank, but you could save up to 30% on a tankless hot water system, and the tankless is also eco–friendly. Well, this sounds pretty beneficial. Tankless water heaters work differently from conventional water heaters. With a tankless water system, the water is heated only when it is needed. When you turn on the faucet the tankless heating system kicks in and the water is heated right then using a heating element. That is why these systems are also called “Instantaneous” or “On Demand”. With tankless water heaters there is
$219,000
Recent updates, 3/3, big screened porch & lot!
14 Doe Point
constant flow of hot water, so this allows everyone in your home to have hot water at the same time. It does not matter whether two or more faucets are running at the same time or the dishwasher has just started. But remember that tankless water heaters come in different sizes so to speak. The incoming water temperature will determine the amount of gallons per minute the water heater can heat. So if you are putting one in a South Carolina coastal home with typical water inlet temperature of 62 degrees you will need one model. If the heater is going to be installed in a home in the mountains, where the ground water is colder, you will require a model with different amperage. Your climate and your usage patterns will determine the size you need. So consider this when reviewing your options for a water heating system or when you run out of hot water just when you were heading to the shower. And remember to consult with your local electrician before installing to make sure you house can handle this product.
$549,900
161 Locust Fence Road
$229,000
Wide water view. Watch the boats go by! Heart pine floors!
Recent updates and floor plan pond, lush landscaping and priced to sell!
REDUCED
REDUCED
CT A R NT
CO
614 Island Circle East
$449,000
Architect designed 4/4 with two masters on main. Cypress study, slate floored foyer. Fabulous millwork. Must see!
758 Island Circle East
$323,500
Move-in ready and immaculate! Delightful floor plan 3/3 with two fireplaces, golf garage, pond view and MORE!
736 North Reeve Road
$409,000
Darling Cape 3/2/1 cherry floors, gas range, pond views, golf garage, immaculate and barely lived in!
1400 Gleasons Landing
$399,000
Kayak from your half acre lot on big tidal creek on Dataw Island! Renovated 3/2/1 with big screened porch!!
MARY HANBY | “FAIRY GODMOTHER OF REAL ESTATE” | 1001 BOUNDARY STREET, SUITE B, BEAUFORT, SC 29902
TEXT: to 864-559-8865 for infofor and photos TEXT:4106 YFUHTJG to 843-000-0000 info and
TEXT: to 864-559-8865 for infofor and photos TEXT:4090 YFUHTJG to 843-000-0000 info and
Beautiful andIsland Golf Views. Openon floor plan, 21 Bajala Lake - Lady’s Brick Ranch nearly and deck screened porch. 3BR/2.5BA $456,000 acre -and Open floor plan, 3 BR/2.5 Bath -- $299,000
JUST REDUCED! Overlooking the Beaufort River! walk to Downtown. 3BR/3BA - $449,000 MICHAEL MARK 843.812.6023
ANNETTE BRYANT 843.986.7343
Annette.Bryant@ColdwellBanker.com
MichaelMarkrealtor@gmail.com
TEXT: to 864-559-8865 for infofor and photos TEXT:4112 YFUHTJG to 843-000-0000 info and
Wonderful 4 bedroom, 2 bath home in Christine Place. Large yard. - $235,000 TERRANCE GREEN 843.441.3065
Missybuskirk@gmail.com
TEXT: 4114 to 864-559-8865 for info and photos
Adorable 3BR/2BA home in Irongate with fenced backyard for the kids and pets. - $118,500
Missybuskirk@gmail.com
Incredible deal on this cute 3BR/1BA home walking distance to historic Beaufort - $100,000 MISSY BUSKIRK MASSALON 843.252.8994
Terrance.Green@ColdwellBanker.com
MISSY BUSKIRK MASSALON 843.252.8994
TEXT: 4113 to 864-559-8865 for info and photos
TEXT: to 864-559-8865 for infofor and photos TEXT:4101 YFUHTJG to 843-000-0000 info and
4 Live/Work townhomes on Paris Ave. Work downstairs, live above and rent the rest! - $800,000 MICHAEL MARK 843.812.6023 MichaelMarkrealtor@gmail.com
TEXT: to 864-559-8865 for infofor and photos TEXT:4098 YFUHTJG to 843-000-0000 info and
Establish Neighborhood of Bluff Farm! Open living with 4BR/3 Bath asking - $265,000
TEXT: to 864-559-8865 for infofor and photos TEXT:4105 YFUHTJG to 843-000-0000 info and
Stunning house featuring large lot with a fenced backyard. 3BR/2BA - $169,000
TERRANCE GREEN 843.441.3065
MISSY BUSKIRK MASSALON 843.252.8994
Terrance.Green@ColdwellBanker.com
TEXT: to 864-559-8865 for infofor and photos TEXT:4107 YFUHTJG to 843-000-0000 info and
Magnificent Lowcountry home overlooking the Whale Branch River. 4BR/4.5BA - $785,000
Missybuskirk@gmail.com
TEXT: to 864-559-8865 for infofor and photos TEXT:4096 YFUHTJG to 843-000-0000 info and
Quiet Neighborhood with Community Dock! Must see to appreciate! 4 BR/2.5 Bath - $474,900
ANNETTE BRYANT 843.986.7343
MELISSA EVANS 843.597.4191
Annette.Bryant@ColdwellBanker.com
TEXT: to 864-559-8865 for infofor and photos TEXT:4115 YFUHTJG to 843-000-0000 info and
Affordable 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in Pine Ridge Subdivision. Open floor plan with vaulted ceilings. $155,000 TERRANCE GREEN 843.441.3065
melhevans@hotmail.com
TEXT: to 864-559-8865 for infofor and photos TEXT:4102 YFUHTJG to 843-000-0000 info and
Relax at Tansi Village. Great marsh views from patio and decks. 3BR/2BA - $249,000
Terrance.Green@ColdwellBanker.com
MICHAEL MARK 843.812.6023
MichaelMarkrealtor@gmail.com
www.ColdwellBankerPlatinum.com BEAUFORT OFFICE | 1121 BOUNDARY STREET | BEAUFORT, SC 29902 | 834-986-2444
BLUFFTON OFFICE | 29 PLANTATION PARK DR, STE 106 | BLUFFTON, SC 29910 | 834-705-2000 Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker office is independently owned and operated.