Pocas compras le dan una sensación de orgullo y logro como comprar una casa nueva. Desde cercas blancas y exuberante césped verde hasta comidas al aire libre con vecinos y vacaciones con la familia, ser propietario de una casa es mágico. Sin embargo, como ocurre con la mayoría de las grandes cosas, soportar el proceso de compra de una vivienda requiere mucho trabajo. Hay muchos pasos que dar y decisiones difíciles que tomar en el camino. Una de las decisiones más importantes es qué tipo de préstamo hipotecario y corredor hipotecario elegir. Ya sea que sea la primera vez que compra una casa o sea un propietario experimentado con varias propiedades, necesitará un agente hipotecario confiable en Beaufort, SC, con sus mejores intereses en el corazón.
Si usted es como la mayoría de las personas, necesita un profesional hipotecario cuya principal prioridad sean sus clientes: un experto que pueda brindarle asesoramiento y orientación precisos para que pueda tomar decisiones informadas. Ahí es donde Mission One Mortgage entra en escena.
Ya sea que desee las mejores tasas de interés o no sepa por dónde empezar en el proceso de compra de una vivienda, Mission One Mortgage puede orientarlo en la dirección correcta. Desde obtener la precalificación para comprar una casa hasta obtener un préstamo para veteranos, Mission One Mortgage es la solución confiable que necesita. Como Beaufort nativos, estamos orgullosos de servir a Lowcountry y a todo Carolina del Sur con servicios confiables de corretaje hipotecario.
A diferencia de algunas compañías hipotecarias en Beaufort, SC, Aportamos años de experiencia y conocimientos de alto nivel. Habiendo trabajado con cientos de clientes durante nuestro tiempo en el negocio, sabemos que probablemente esté pasando por una variedad de emociones en este momento. Comprar una casa nueva puede ser un proceso aterrador, especialmente para quienes compran por primera vez. Es por eso que hacemos todo lo posible para hacernos accesibles y disponibles para los clientes. Nuestro objetivo principal es ayudarlo a obtener la hipoteca adecuada para su familia y su presupuesto.
Sabemos que muchos agentes de préstamos hipotecarios tienen una reputación horrible. Algunos corredores sólo ven a sus clientes como transacciones y como un medio para ganar dinero rápido. Se muestran impacientes y agresivos, sin comprender que se trata de una decisión muy importante para usted. En Mission One Mortgage, adoptamos el enfoque opuesto. Alentamos a nuestros clientes a que se tomen todo el tiempo necesario para hacernos preguntas y revisar los documentos hipotecarios. Podríamos decir que nuestra misión es superar tus expectativas, pero preferimos mostrártelo. Desde asistencia para encontrar préstamos de la FHA, VA u otros hasta refinanciar su hipoteca actual, Mission One es el equipo en el que puede confiar.
Estas son solo algunas de las razones por las que los compradores de viviendas eligen Mission One Mortgage:
La mayoría de las personas simplemente no tienen acceso a los cientos de miles de dólares necesarios para comprar una casa en efectivo. En cambio, obtienen un préstamo hipotecario para comprar una casa. Desafortunadamente, muchos compradores de vivienda están ansiosos por poner las cosas en marcha y, debido a su entusiasmo, no buscan las mejores tasas hipotecarias. Hasta cierto punto, tiene sentido evitar este paso, ya que requiere mucho trabajo preliminar e investigación para realizar el trabajo. Para aquellos que no quieran pasar horas investigando una hipoteca razonable, existe una alternativa a considerar: trabajar con un agente hipotecario.
Para comprender los beneficios de trabajar con un agente hipotecario, primero debe comprender su papel en el proceso de compra de una vivienda.
Su agente hipotecario es un tercero que trabaja para conectarlo con prestamistas hipotecarios. Básicamente, un corredor hipotecario actúa como intermediario entre una persona que quiere comprar una vivienda y las entidades que ofrecen préstamos para comprar una vivienda. El agente hipotecario trabaja tanto con el prestatario como con el prestamista para obtener la aprobación del prestatario. También verifican y recopilan la documentación del prestatario que el prestamista necesita para finalizar la compra de una vivienda. Por lo general, los agentes hipotecarios tienen relaciones con varios prestamistas de préstamos hipotecarios. Mission One Mortgage, por ejemplo, tiene acceso a 50 prestamistas diferentes, lo que nos brinda una amplia gama de préstamos hipotecarios en Beaufort, SC, de donde elegir.
Además de encontrar un prestamista para préstamos hipotecarios, su agente hipotecario lo ayudará a elegir las mejores opciones de préstamo y tasas de interés para su presupuesto. Idealmente, su agente hipotecario le quitará una gran cantidad de estrés y trabajo preliminar y, al mismo tiempo, le permitirá ahorrar dinero.
Si está listo para comprar una casa, obtener la precalificación es una excelente opción que agilizará todo el proceso. Su agente hipotecario facilita la obtención de la aprobación previa al obtener todos los documentos necesarios para obtener la precalificación. Al revisar su solicitud, determinarán si está listo para el proceso de aprobación previa. Si su solicitud necesita elementos adicionales, la compañía hipotecaria le ayudará a orientarle en la dirección correcta para garantizar que su solicitud sea lo más sólida posible. Su agente hipotecario también lo guiará a través de los diferentes tipos de préstamos, desde convencionales y FHA hasta VA y USDA.
Para obtener una aprobación previa para una casa en Carolina del Sur, debe tener lo siguiente:
La mayoría de las personas optan por utilizar un agente hipotecario porque tienen acceso a diferentes prestamistas y tasas de interés. Pero un gran agente hipotecario aporta más que una elección de prestamistas.
Salvarte del estrés innecesario:Una de las mayores ventajas de contratar un agente hipotecario es que puede encontrar y examinar préstamos mientras gestiona el proceso hipotecario en su nombre. Las mejores compañías hipotecarias, como Mission One Mortgage, contratan corredores que son expertos en mantener la suscripción al día, coordinar con las partes relevantes y manejar todo el papeleo involucrado. Al final del día, los agentes hipotecarios le ahorran estrés y tiempo y, a menudo, aceleran el proceso de cierre.
Más acceso: Ya mencionamos esto antes, pero vale la pena repetirlo: un agente hipotecario brinda acceso a una variedad de préstamos, tasas y prestamistas. De hecho, muchos agentes hipotecarios pueden obtener tasas más bajas que las que una persona promedio podría obtener de un prestamista.
Ahorre dinero: Existe la posibilidad de que su agente hipotecario pueda conseguir que el prestamista reduzca o exima las tarifas hipotecarias, lo que podría ahorrarle una buena cantidad de dinero.
Ayuda con situaciones financieras desfavorables: Los agentes hipotecarios expertos a menudo pueden ayudar en situaciones financieras difíciles, como cuando un comprador tiene ingresos inconsistentes o un crédito que no es perfecto. Los corredores experimentados, como los de Mission One Mortgage, a menudo conocen prestamistas dispuestos a trabajar con prestatarios no tradicionales.
Proporcionar información clave: Los agentes hipotecarios comparten información importante, como sus posibilidades de aprobación de un préstamo hipotecario y exactamente cuánta casa puede pagar. También pueden evitar que cometa errores costosos gracias a sus años de experiencia en la industria hipotecaria.
Si bien decidirse por el mejor tipo de préstamo hipotecario no es tan emocionante como buscar la casa de sus sueños, es igualmente importante. Sí, su oficial de préstamos de Mission One Mortgage en Beaufort, SC, Estará encantado de ayudarle a explicar las diferencias entre préstamos hipotecarios. Pero comprender los conceptos básicos de antemano le ahorrará estrés y tiempo a largo plazo.
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Los préstamos convencionales se pueden utilizar para comprar una casa nueva o refinanciar la actual. Los préstamos convencionales incluyen hipotecas a tipo fijo e hipotecas a tipo ajustable. Generalmente, los prestatarios deben realizar un pago inicial del 3% para los propietarios-ocupantes, del 10% para una propiedad de vacaciones y del 20% para una casa de inversión. Si puede pagar el 20% del coste total de la vivienda, podrá evitar el seguro hipotecario privado, que de otro modo sería obligatorio. Los compradores con buen crédito o las personas que necesitan una hipoteca no ocupada por el propietario suelen preferir las hipotecas convencionales.
Las hipotecas de la FHA son emitidas por el gobierno de los EE. UU. y respaldadas por el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano (HUD). Los compradores de vivienda por primera vez suelen preferir este préstamo porque solo requiere un pago inicial del 3,5% y ofrece más flexibilidad con los requisitos crediticios y los estándares de suscripción. Los préstamos de la FHA tienen varios requisitos que debes cumplir para calificar. Comuníquese con Mission One Mortgage hoy para obtener más información sobre los préstamos de la FHA y si son o no los mejores para su situación financiera.
También respaldados por el gobierno, estos préstamos están asegurados por el Departamento de Agricultura de EE. UU. y no requieren pago inicial. Estos préstamos tienen requisitos de seguro más bajos en comparación con los préstamos de la FHA, ofrecen financiamiento del 100% si califica y permiten que el vendedor cubra los costos de cierre. Para calificar para un préstamo del USDA, debe vivir en un área rural y los ingresos de su hogar deben cumplir con ciertos estándares. Estos préstamos suelen ser los preferidos por los ciudadanos de bajos ingresos que viven en zonas rurales de Carolina del Sur.
También conocidas como préstamos VA o de Asuntos de Veteranos, estas hipotecas están reservadas para los hombres y mujeres valientes que sirvieron en el ejército. Los préstamos VA ayudan a brindarles a nuestros miembros militares, veteranos y sus familias condiciones de préstamo favorables y una experiencia sencilla de ser propietario de una vivienda. A menudo, quienes califican no están obligados a realizar un pago inicial por su vivienda. Además, estos préstamos suelen incluir costos de cierre menos costosos.
Si es un veterano o un familiar de un veterano, comuníquese con Mission One Mortgage hoy para hablar con nuestra profesional examinada de VA, Debbie Haberny. Debbie ayuda a nuestros miembros militares, veteranos y sus familiares a obtener préstamos hipotecarios utilizando beneficios para veteranos y estará encantada de ayudarle en la búsqueda de una casa.
¿Tiene preguntas sobre las complejidades de las hipotecas y los préstamos hipotecarios? Como su defensor, Mission One Mortgage está aquí para responder cualquier pregunta que tenga sobre las hipotecas y el proceso de compra de una vivienda. Le recomendamos que llame a nuestra oficina para hablar directamente con uno de nuestros expertos en hipotecas o que continúe leyendo a continuación para obtener respuestas a algunas preguntas frecuentes.
q. Estaba hablando con mi cónyuge sobre agentes hipotecarios y mencionaron la frase originador de préstamos hipotecarios. ¿Cuál es la diferencia entre un corredor y un originador de préstamos?
UNO. La industria hipotecaria está llena de puestos y títulos confusos, lo que facilita la confusión de roles y responsabilidades. Tal es el caso de los agentes hipotecarios y los originadores de préstamos hipotecarios. Aunque sus funciones comparten similitudes, un originador de préstamos hipotecarios en Beaufort, SC, trabaja para un banco o cooperativa de crédito, mientras que un corredor hipotecario trabaja para una empresa de corretaje. Tanto los originadores de préstamos hipotecarios como los corredores hipotecarios tienen licencia del Sistema Nacional de Licencias Multiestatales (NMLS).
q. Todo el mundo me ha dicho que es necesario tener un seguro hipotecario para comprar una casa. ¿Qué es el seguro hipotecario?
UNO. Básicamente, el seguro hipotecario ayuda a proteger a los prestamistas si un prestatario ejecuta la ejecución hipotecaria de la casa que compró. Una ventaja del seguro hipotecario es que cuando los prestatarios lo pagan, los prestamistas a menudo pueden otorgar préstamos a los compradores cuando de otra manera no lo habrían hecho. Aunque no siempre es necesario para comprar una casa, a menudo se necesita un seguro hipotecario para pagos iniciales inferiores al 20%.
q. Me acaban de aprobar previamente para comprar una hermosa casa en Carolina del Sur. ¿Hay algo que no debería hacer ahora que estoy precalificado?
UNO. Las compañías hipotecarias como Mission One Mortgage facilitan la precalificación para una vivienda. Sin embargo, a medida que continúa su proceso de préstamo, su prestamista debe ejecutar un nuevo informe crediticio antes de cerrar la compra de una vivienda. Por esa razón, es para evitar cualquier actividad que pueda afectar su puntaje crediticio, como:
q. Mi cuñado recientemente refinanció su casa en Carolina del Sur. ¿Qué es la refinanciación? ¿Debería considerar refinanciar mi casa también?
UNO. Refinanciar su casa básicamente significa que está cambiando su hipoteca actual por una nueva, generalmente con una tasa de interés más baja. Si desea reducir el plazo de su préstamo, reducir los pagos hipotecarios mensuales o consolidar deudas, la refinanciación puede ser una opción inteligente. Muchos propietarios también optan por refinanciar si quieren pasar de hipotecas de tasa ajustable a hipotecas de tasa fija o obtener reembolsos en efectivo por renovaciones de la vivienda. Para saber si la refinanciación es una opción viable para su situación, comuníquese con Mission One Mortgage lo antes posible, ya que las tasas de los préstamos cambian con frecuencia.
Aquí en Mission One Mortgage, creemos que las mejores comunidades comienzan con el sueño de ser propietario de una vivienda. Nuestra misión es hacer realidad esos sueños, con un servicio personalizado, orientación experta y trabajo duro a la antigua usanza. Como una de las compañías hipotecarias más confiables en Beaufort, SC, Tenemos años de experiencia trabajando con una amplia gama de clientes, desde compradores e inversores por primera vez hasta prestatarios autónomos y hablantes no nativos de inglés.
Aunque cada situación hipotecaria es diferente, una cosa nunca cambia: nuestro compromiso con los clientes. Póngase en contacto con nuestra oficina hoy para comenzar una experiencia excepcional de compra de vivienda.
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11 Beaufort County food businesses and one Jasper County location received B and C grades in January health inspections conducted by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.Here is a rundown of the restaurants that received the lowest ratings for the month and why they scored poorly:Bojangles had a routine inspection on Jan. 7 and scored an 84% (B). Issues noted by inspectors included:It was reinspected on Jan. 15 and scored an 87% with a C letter grade, and again on Jan. 23 and scored a 93% with a C letter grade, b...
11 Beaufort County food businesses and one Jasper County location received B and C grades in January health inspections conducted by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.
Here is a rundown of the restaurants that received the lowest ratings for the month and why they scored poorly:
Bojangles had a routine inspection on Jan. 7 and scored an 84% (B). Issues noted by inspectors included:
It was reinspected on Jan. 15 and scored an 87% with a C letter grade, and again on Jan. 23 and scored a 93% with a C letter grade, both for repeated infractions.
Bojangles was last inspected on Jan. 28 and scored a 99% (A).
Johnson Creek Tavern & Restaurant had a routine inspection on Jan. 21 and scored a 71% (C). Issues noted by inspectors included:
Johnson Creek Tavern & Restaurant was reinspected on Jan. 28 and scored a 100% (A).
Basil & Bourbon, formerly Nonna Rosa, held a routine inspection on Jan. 6 and scored a 70% (C). Issues noted included:
Basil & Bourbon was reinspected on Jan. 13 and scored a 100% (A).
OKKO was inspected on Jan. 6 and scored a 70% (C). Issues noted by inspectors included:
OKKO was reinspected on Jan. 14 and scored a 99% (A).
New York City Pizza held a routine inspection on Jan. 14 and scored an 82% (B). Issues noted by inspectors included:
New York City Pizza was reinspected on Jan. 23 and scored a 97% (A).
Antojitos Agustin was inspected on Jan. 13 and scored a 91% with a B letter grade for repeated infractions from a Jan. 7 inspection. Issues included:
Antojitos Agustin was reinspected on Jan. 20 and scored a 98% (A).
Bluffton Elementary School was inspected on Jan. 30 and scored a 97% with a B letter grade for a repeated infraction:
Bluffton Elementary School has not been reinspected as of Feb. 2, but one is required within 10 days.
Centro Mex Deluxe had a routine inspection on Jan. 30 and scored an 80% (B). Issues included:
Centro Mex Deluxe has not been reinspected as of Feb. 2, but one is required within 10 days.
House of Tang had a routine inspection on Jan. 12 and scored an 82% (B). Issues included:
House of Tang was reinspected on Jan. 21 and scored a 100% (A).
La Familia had a routine inspection on Jan. 13 and scored a 78% (B). Issues noted by inspectors included:
La Familia was reinspected on Jan. 14 and scored a 96% (A).
Miramare Italian had a routine inspection on Jan. 13 and scored an 82% (B). Issues included:
Miramare Italian was reinspected on Jan. 21 and scored a 100% (A).
Agave Azul Tacos and Tequila had a routine inspection on Jan. 12 and scored an 85% (B). Issues included:
Agave Azul Tacos and Tequila was reinspected on Jan. 20 and scored a 100% (A).
Inspectors give restaurants a grade of A, B or C, depending on the conditions found at the time. Points are docked for various infractions, and restaurants have a chance to correct the problems and improve their score in a reinspection.
The grade scale is as follows:
In January, the SCDA recorded 247 inspections of restaurants, schools, stores, and other food establishments in Beaufort County and 34 in Jasper County.
The agency publishes the results of these health inspections on its website.
Newer food-grade decals include a QR code that customers can scan with their phones to see a food establishment’s latest report.
If there is an establishment for which you wish to request an inspection, you can submit a concern to the SCDA by filling out the Food Safety Complaint Form.
To learn more about how the grading system and inspections work, click here.
SHELL POINT, S.C. —Above: Initial coverage of the crashA 46-year-old man was arrested after authorities said a pickup truck struck two pedestrians Saturday in Beaufort County and the driver left the scene.South Carolina Highway Patrol said the crash happened about 8 p.m. near Broad River Drive when a 2022 Ram pickup traveling east hit two pedestrians.Troopers arrested Richard Quinn Davidson early Sunday near where the crash occurred. He is charged with two counts of...
SHELL POINT, S.C. —
Above: Initial coverage of the crash
A 46-year-old man was arrested after authorities said a pickup truck struck two pedestrians Saturday in Beaufort County and the driver left the scene.
South Carolina Highway Patrol said the crash happened about 8 p.m. near Broad River Drive when a 2022 Ram pickup traveling east hit two pedestrians.
Troopers arrested Richard Quinn Davidson early Sunday near where the crash occurred. He is charged with two counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury and two counts of hit-and-run, according to highway patrol.
A Shell Point resident, Emma Schoenstra, said she saw two women — whom she described as a mother and daughter — being pulled on a makeshift sled behind a vehicle before they were left in the roadway.
“They were being dragged by a rope attached to a truck on a container lid just up and down the snow, having fun,” Schoenstra said.
Schoenstra said she ran outside after the impact and helped care for the injured women while waiting for emergency crews.
“I was wrapping up their hands that were laying in the snow, wrapping up their feet, they had lost their shoes,” she said. “I was just wrapping all of their limbs that were touching the ice so they could stay warm until the ambulance got here.”
She said the driver stopped briefly before leaving.
“He did get back in his car and reversed out and left the scene,” Schoenstra said.
Authorities said the women were taken to a hospital for treatment. Their conditions were not released.
Davidson was booked into the Beaufort County Detention Center around 1 a.m. Sunday and released later that afternoon, according to the report. The crash remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Initial report:
A pickup truck struck two women Saturday night in the Shell Point area of Beaufort County, where they had been sledding, authorities said.
The crash happened about 8 p.m. on Shell Point Road near Broad River Drive, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Troopers said a 2022 Ram pickup traveling east on Shell Point Road hit two pedestrians and left the scene.
A witness said two women were being towed behind a vehicle on a plastic container lid. When that vehicle made to turn around, the two were left in the road alone. Moments later, the pickup truck struck them.
Law enforcement later located the vehicle and driver.
Richard Quinn Davidson, 46, of Beaufort, was charged with hit-and-run resulting in great bodily injury and felony driving under the influence, authorities said.
Davidson was booked into the Beaufort County Detention Center at 1:55 a.m. Sunday and released at 4:01 p.m. the same day, according to jail records.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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Snow fell in Beaufort, Port Royal and Hilton Head Island Saturday evening in an extremely rare weather event for coastal South Carolina, with the accumulation a treat for the uninitiated but potentially treacherous for drivers.As temperatures fell, the unusual winter storm initially produced a mix of rain and specks of snow and ice in the early afternoon. By 4:30 p.m., as darkness approached, that flurry had turned to fluffy white snowflakes that floated from the gray skies like aliens in a region better known for its palmetto and liv...
Snow fell in Beaufort, Port Royal and Hilton Head Island Saturday evening in an extremely rare weather event for coastal South Carolina, with the accumulation a treat for the uninitiated but potentially treacherous for drivers.
As temperatures fell, the unusual winter storm initially produced a mix of rain and specks of snow and ice in the early afternoon. By 4:30 p.m., as darkness approached, that flurry had turned to fluffy white snowflakes that floated from the gray skies like aliens in a region better known for its palmetto and live oak trees, beaches and balmy wintertime temperatures in the 60s, not its snowscapes.
By 5:30 p.m., popular landmarks like The Henry Robinson Boardwalk in Port Royal had a layer of white frosting. Snow accumulated on palmetto fronds. Residents tossed salt on sidewalks to keep ice from forming.
“I grew up in Charleston just up the road and I can count on one hand how much I’ve seen snow in my lifetime,” Beaufort Mayor Phil Cromer said Saturday morning, as the city prepared for uncommonly cold weather and snow.
To be sure, snowfall as of early evening was still just a dusting. But any snow in these parts is exceptional — there’s a 9% chance of seeing snow each year, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
In the last 127 years, Beaufort has seen measurable snowfall only 11 times, according to the Beaufort History Museum: 1899, 1914, 1943, 1948, 1958, 1973, 1989, 2006, 2010, 2018 and 2025.
While a curiosity for locals, the danger heading into Saturday night and Sunday evening was that the extreme cold would turn area roads, especially bridges, into ice rinks. Usually when it snows, Cromer said, it just melts. Not this time.
Saturday evening, the National Weather Service was forecasting potentially record-breaking temperatures and dangerous windchills Sunday morning. Lows could be in the upper teens to lower 20s with “feels like” temps in the single digits.
Also in the forecast was an additional 1 to 2 inches of snow.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation had snowplows on standby just in case more snow accumulated.
One was parked near William Hilton Parkway and Squire Pope Road on Hilton Head Island Saturday afternoon.
Heavy Machine Operator Trey Woods said he was on standby in case any plowing was needed Saturday night.
Even rarer than snow falling in Beaufort County is a snow two years in a row. Last January, in 2025, 3 inches was recorded in Beaufort and 2.5 inches in Port Royal.
“We’re talking an extremely rare event if this were to happen — especially considering we just had snow last year,” Brian Haines, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston, said prior to the snowfall.
The last time the area saw snow prior to 2025 was in 2018, when 3.5 inches was recorded in Beaufort and 3 inches in Port Royal.
The last time it snowed two years in a row?
In Charleston, it was 1988 and 1989, the Weather Service’s Haines said, and Savannah saw consecutive years of snow in 1917 and 1918.
The last big, memorable snowfall in the Lowcountry was the record-breaker that happened in December 1989, when more than 6 inches was recorded and the Lowcountry experienced a rare white Christmas.
Authorities urged residents to stay off the roads unless they absolutely had to venture out and to bundle up in layers.
Saturday afternoon, Gabriela Almeyda, wearing mittens and a stocking cap, scraped snow together that had accumulated on a bench in downtown Beaufort, attempting to form a snowball. The visiting girl from Florida had never seen snow before.
It was nice, she said. Her first impression: “It’s soft.”
Island Packet reporter Li Khan contributed to this story.
BLUFFTON, S.C. (WTOC) - The Lowcountry is bracing for the possibility of a winter storm that could shake up weekend plans.People are already heading to stores to stock up on supplies, and the South Carolina Department of Transportation says they are prepared and ready to go when called.From salt to plant blankets, people are trying to get a hold of whatever they can to prepare for what could be a wintry weekend in the Lowcountry.“I did the best I could by buying this little handy shovel here,” Bluffton reside...
BLUFFTON, S.C. (WTOC) - The Lowcountry is bracing for the possibility of a winter storm that could shake up weekend plans.
People are already heading to stores to stock up on supplies, and the South Carolina Department of Transportation says they are prepared and ready to go when called.
From salt to plant blankets, people are trying to get a hold of whatever they can to prepare for what could be a wintry weekend in the Lowcountry.
“I did the best I could by buying this little handy shovel here,” Bluffton resident Thomas Rowe said. “If we do get some heavy snow, I am going to be sore for many days.”
A winter storm could bring heavy snow and ice to different parts of the state.
“Travel conditions, if we do see that type of snow falling, would become hazardous,” Secretary of Transportation for SCDOT, Justin Powell, said.
With that in mind, some people are ready to take the recommended approach of staying inside.
“If it gets icy, I’m not going anywhere,” Bluffton resident Mike Nolte said. “I’m staying home, I got a nice fireplace, so I’ll just build a fire and stay home and relax.”
And while some people are planning to stay home.
SCDOT says they already have crews out pretreating major roadways, interstates, and bridges across the state by spraying brine ahead of the storm.
That brine is made using salt that SCDOT says has been restocked after using some last week.
Officials say it will help keep the roads open as long as possible, but also help SCDOT clear the roads later.
If the need arises, SCDOT says they are ready to go into 24-hour operation starting on Friday.
That means the 3,000 employees in the department will be working around the clock in shifts, and that their 1,200 pieces of equipment will be spread out across the state to respond.
“We are prepared, we are actively working to get ready for this storm, we work through the duration of this storm, and when it is over, we will continue to work until the roads are reopened and cleared,” Powell said.
WTOC spoke with officials from Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties, who told me that right now they are just monitoring the storm and are getting together potential plans that will be used if the need arises.
Longtime owner of the popular Sea Island Carriage Company on Bay Street in downtown Beaufort, Nichole Bradley, has sold her carriage tour company after nearly eleven years in business.Nichole is handing over the reins of her popular carriage tours to Charlotte Lawrence, owner of another local downtown tour company, Tales of the Lowcountry, which has been the only historic ghost tour available in downtown for several years.The change is somewhat bittersweet for Bradley, who, after nearly eleven years of ownership, decided it was...
Longtime owner of the popular Sea Island Carriage Company on Bay Street in downtown Beaufort, Nichole Bradley, has sold her carriage tour company after nearly eleven years in business.
Nichole is handing over the reins of her popular carriage tours to Charlotte Lawrence, owner of another local downtown tour company, Tales of the Lowcountry, which has been the only historic ghost tour available in downtown for several years.
The change is somewhat bittersweet for Bradley, who, after nearly eleven years of ownership, decided it was simply just time to trot on and follow other dreams.
“I have loved owning Sea Island Carriage Company. I’ve been in and out of the commercial carriage industry here in Beaufort for almost eighteen years, and sometimes I sit back and think about the thousands of guests we, as a company, have welcomed and the stories we’ve shared about Beaufort’s history along the way,” she said.
Nichole plans to enjoy other pursuits, but says although she is selling Sea Island Carriage Company, she will still be around because, “this work is in my blood. It’s part of who I am.” So much so, that she even plans to drive a carriage for Charlotte occasionally.
Being an ambassador to Beaufort, offering visitors their very first introduction to this special place, is something Bradley says she has never taken lightly. “I must give credit where credit is due, the horses have made all of this possible. There have been a handful of horses throughout the years, and each one holds a special place in my heart.” She said she will be keeping possession of her four remaining equine partners which will live on her 70 acre farm in Yemassee.
For Charlotte, it’s not the first horse rodeo for her either. In addition to operating Tales of the Lowcountry since 2015, Charlotte has been a Beaufort carriage tour guide for the past 23 years.
Charlotte, a Beaufort local whose family goes back several generations in town as firemen, farmers, grocery store owners, and shrimpers, and who is in love with the history of the area, will officially start running Sea Island Carriage Company after February 1st, and plans to leave everything as is. “It’s worked so well for Nichole all these years, there’s nothing to really change,” she said.
“This is the next big step for me. I want Sea Island Carriage Company to continue to showcase the history of Beaufort and our small town Southern charm,” she said.
“Many people have no idea how much Beaufort and its local citizens have left their mark on America’s history,” Lawrence said. “It’s always been important to me that people have an understanding of how phenomenal our history truly is. We have the founders, to the pirates, to the wars, the lovers, the natives, the movies, and so much more; there are so many stories to tell.”
Charlotte says she will still operate her historic ghost walking tours with Tales of the Lowcountry because she loves bringing light to Beaufort’s haunted past.
Handing over the reins wasn’t much of a challenge for Bradley, especially when she finally decided it was time. Handing them over to Charlotte was easier for her, because it is going from one local to another. One local Beaufort carriage tour driver to another. One local horse lover to another. One local tour professional to another. One lover of history to another. From one who has Beaufort in her blood, to another.
Nichole said the sale to Charlotte makes sense.
“I want everyone to know that Sea Island Carriage Company is in excellent hands,” Bradley added. “Charlotte is a Beaufort native as well and has been part of the carriage industry here for over twenty years. I couldn’t be more excited for her to take on this opportunity and I have all the faith in her to succeed.”
As Nichole reflected on her time at Sea Island Carriage Company, she also noted to thank everyone who has supported her along the way, including her company manager, Jennifer Defibaugh, who has been with her since day one as a best friend and a shoulder to lean on; and her husband, Nick, who she says has always supported her dreams and never asked her too many questions.
What does the future hold for Bradley? “We’ll just have to see what the future holds — but whatever it is, I know it will be bright and smell like horses.”
What does the future hold for Lawrence? Just stop into 930 Bay Street in historic downtown Beaufort and see for yourself.
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