This month’s community spotlight is the community of Waterbridge in Carolina Forest. Located off of Carolina Forest Blvd, this community has all of the resort-style amenities families are looking for. Coastal cottage homes give this community a beachy vibe and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Waterbridge Amenities

First, Waterbridge has the largest residential swimming pool in South Carolina. The swimming pool is a stunning waterscape that includes junior Olympic-size swimming lanes, a swim-up refreshment area, a jetted spa and a landscaped island. The community also boasts 80+ acres of lakes, plus Palmetto Lake in the center of the community. The community lakes offer opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, row boating and more. In addition, the boat launch on Palmetto lake is great for boating and watercraft.

The village-style clubhouse features a refreshment center and a caterer’s kitchen for parties and gatherings. The 24-hour fitness center offers the latest in state-of-the-art fitness equipment for both cardio and weight training. The community offers lighted courts for tennis, basketball and pickleball as well as an official-size volleyball court that also doubles as a great place to play bocce ball.

Waterbridge Homes

The homes in Waterbridge follow a coastal cottage style and are individual family homes. The community has a recommended list of nine custom builders to choose from, including Dawol Homes, Riptide Builders, Coastal Carolina Homes, The Carrell Group, Suriano Homes and more. However, those interested in having a home built can choose any custom builder as long as the builder follows the architectural guidelines of the community. Many homes feature lake or nature views. The community is bordered by a nature preserve. In fact, about 200 acres of the property between lakes and the preserve will never be developed. To purchase an already built home, listings range between $400,000 and $600,000 for most homes, though some occasionally with a higher price point come to market.

When you’re ready to buy your new home in Waterbridge, you can rely on Bridgewater Homewatch for your thorough and complete home inspection. Your home inspection with us includes a thermal imaging inspection at no additional cost to you. When you need your home inspection done right, give us a call at 843.903.HOME (4663).

Most people don’t often think about it but your clothes dryer is the one of the most dangerous appliances in your home. According to FEMA, more than 2,900 dryer fires occur each year, resulting in an average of 5 deaths, 100 injuries and as much as $35 million in property damages. There are things you can do to help prevent a tragic house fire caused by your clothes dryer. Here are the top safety tips you need to know about your dryer.

1. Keep the lint trap clean.
Clean out the lint trap before and after every load of laundry, no exceptions. Household dust and built-up lint are the top cause of dryer fires, accounting for up to 35% of all fires originating from the clothes dryer.

2. Keep the exhaust pipe clear.
The second most common cause for dryer fires are exhaust pipes clogged with lint and dust. Remember that not all lint is removed by your lint trap. Some of that lint escapes through the exhaust pipe. This exhaust line should be cleared out and cleaned at least once per year, or twice if you have a large family and do a lot of laundry.

3. Don’t overload the machine.
Putting in loads of laundry that are larger than the machine’s recommended capacity puts stress on many of the mechanisms that make it work, such as the spindle bearings, pulleys and drum belt. The extra weight of the load causes these mechanisms to work harder than normal and result in unnecessary heat build-up, which can cause your dryer to catch fire.

4. Never run your dryer while sleeping or away from home.
Many people are guilty of this one but it’s important to be awake and aware whenever your clothes dryer is running so you can react immediately in case of a fire. You can’t react immediately and prevent a major fire if you’re asleep or worse, not even home. Always turn your dryer off before sleeping or leaving the house.

5. Keep heat vents in the back clean.
On the back of most dryers, there is a set of heat vents. These vents can collect dust, hair, lint and other debris. It’s important to pull your dryer out twice per year and use a vacuum attachment to clean these heat vents to help prevent a fire.

6. Discontinue using the machine if you notice improper operation.
Some examples of improper operation are if the machine stops repeatedly during a cycle, clothes come out hotter than usual, there is a lack of lint being caught in the lint trap, the top of the dryer is very hot to the touch and clothes take much longer than usual to dry. Have the machine inspected by a certified repair technician before using it again if you notice any of these issues.

For most people, dryer safety is not top of mind. We use the clothes dryer so often that many have forgotten that it can be a dangerous appliance to operate if the machine and connections are not cleaned and maintained properly. These safety tips will help you ensure you are operating your dryer as safely as possible.

Located across from Barefoot Landing and near several golf courses in North Myrtle Beach is North Beach Plantation. Just a walk, bike ride or golf cart ride away from the beach, this community offers condos, townhomes, cottages, beach houses and luxury estate homes. The complex features on-site rental management services for vacation rental owners and booking guests.

North Beach Plantation Amenities

The star of the amenities at North Beach Plantation is the near-three acre Caribbean-themed water park, complete with a swim-up bar. The community features an 18,000 square foot state-of-the-art fitness center and spa. The Cinzia Spa is the spa on-premises offering up a complete list of spa services for residents and visitors. Dine on-site at 21 Main or head across the way to Barefoot Landing for a plethora of dining and entertainment options. The beach is only a short walk or bike ride away.

North Beach Plantation Neighborhoods

Aside from the two condo towers overlooking the ocean, there are four more distinct neighborhoods within North Beach Plantation.

Margaret Cottages – One of the first neighborhoods to be built was The Margaret Cottages. These brightly-colored cottage style homes feature Hawaiian-themed landscaping. A variety of floor plans offer one and two story homes with three to four bedrooms. These homes are priced from the upper $300,000’s to the high $500,000’s.

Appleton Homes – This neighborhood consists of townhomes and single family homes in both one and two story options. These homes feature high ceilings, covered porches with tile flooring, large kitchens with granite counters and large baths. Floor plans range from 1,300 square feet through 2,100 square feet. These homes are priced from just under $300,000 to around $450,000.

Banyan Estates – Two story luxury homes with three to four bedrooms make up the Banyan Estates. Homes feature large windows and multiple porches. Some even come with private pools or outdoor fireplaces. Homes in this neighborhood are priced from $500,000 to $900,000.

Whitepoint – The Whitepoint neighborhood consists of luxury estates of two to three stories. This neighborhood is the closest to the beach of all the North Beach Plantation neighborhoods. Priced from $500,000 to over $1,000,000, these estates feature private pools, elevators, multiple balconies, and ocean views from the upper floors.

When you are ready to buy your new home in North Beach Plantation, Bridgewater Home Watch is your top choice home inspector. We include thermal imaging with every inspection at no extra cost to you so you can be confident in the home you’re buying. Simply give us a call at 843.903.HOME to schedule your complete and thorough inspection with us.

Did you know the average American spends as much as 87% of their time indoors? That’s just one of many reasons why your indoor air quality is so important. Contaminants such as dirt, dust, pet dander, dust mites, asbestos, lead particles, pollen, smoke, mold, mildew and carbon monoxide can make your indoor air up to five times more polluted than the air outside. If you have an asthma or allergy sufferer in your family, your indoor air could be making their respiratory issues worse. Here are some ways you can help clean it up!

1. Get indoor plants – Indoor plants are great natural air purifiers. Even small ferns or spider plants can make a big difference for your indoor air. Just be careful if you have pets. Some indoor plants can be hazardous to your pet’s health if they ingest them.

2. Change your HVAC filter – When working to clean up your indoor air, it’s best to change your HVAC filter monthly. This helps the filter work more effectively at pulling harmful pollutants out of your indoor air. It also saves you money because your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to push air through a fresh filter compared to a dirty gunky one.

3. Change other air filters – Don’t forget about the other filters in your home. The clothes dryer, overhead cooking vents and your vacuum can also have filters that need to be cleaned. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning or changing these filters.

4. Check air ducts – Your air ducts can be a trap for dust and other grime that can become airborne and travel through your vents into your home. If you have dirty ducts, have them cleaned professionally to help clean up your indoor air.

5. Keep floors clean – Walking in from outside can track a lot of dust, dirt and even pollen into your home. Normal walking and movement can cause these particles to become airborne in your home. Vacuum rugs and carpets at least weekly and be sure to sweep up hard floors weekly as well to capture all the grime that gets tracked inside.

6. Use cooking vents – Always use your vents when cooking to help filter out airborne cooking oil particles and by-products from gas stoves such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.

7. Control humidity – Humidity is a big deal in South Carolina and too much of it can lead to mold and mildew growth. Keep humidity in check to avoid mold spores in your air that can make you and your family sick. If you experience high humidity in your home, consider investing in a dehumidifier for your HVAC system to help filter excess moisture out of your indoor air.

Indoor air quality is an important issue for every home. We spend so much time indoors and many people suffer with allergies and asthma. Poor indoor air quality can also impact your health and that of your family. Use these seven tips to help clean up your indoor air.

Located in Little River, SC, Bridgewater Homes is a housing community by Chesapeake Homes. This natural gas community features 15 different home models to choose from in five unique villages within the development. Home prices range from around $250,000 to the mid $340,000s. Close to nearby attractions of Cherry Grove Beach, Barefoot Landing and Tanger Outlets North, Bridgewater Homes gives a small town feel with all the necessary shopping and entertainment right nearby.

Bridgewater Amenities

Bridgewater Homes offers a number of exciting amenities for residents. Amenities include a resort-style pool surrounded by deck chairs and private cabanas. The pool offers both lap lanes and a lounging area for swimmers of all types. The community features a large outdoor cooking area with several grills, covered pavilions, seating and televisions. Residents can also enjoy the dog parks, community gardens, and fire pits. The community also features pickleball courts, water sports, fitness trails and a kayak launch for active and adventurous residents.

The community boasts a 5,000 square foot clubhouse featuring a 2,000 square foot main room with catering-style kitchens for parties or social events. Also located in the clubhouse is a state-of-the-art fitness center and a yoga/aerobics room equipped with the Wellbeats System offering a variety of virtual fitness classes. Outside of the clubhouse is a large open park with festoon lighting, ideal for movie screenings, music, shows and other entertainment events.

Buying a Home in Bridgewater

Buying a home in Bridgewater offers a lot of variety in type of home and home sites. The Chesapeake Homes state-of-the-art Design Gallery gives you lots of options and ways to personalize and customize your new home. With 530 acres of lakes and waterways, many home sites offer views of the water. This community aims to help future homeowners incorporate all of the great features and options that match their needs and lifestyle into their new home.

When you are ready to buy your new home in Bridgewater, it’s time to call Bridgewater Homewatch for your top-of-the-line home inspection, including thermal imaging at no extra cost to you. We’re your local new construction home inspection experts. We’ll make sure your new home has every I dotted and every T crossed so you have peace of mind settling in to your newly constructed home.