The best countertops make a statement in your home that other features cannot. You've worked hard to incorporate unique designs and flavors throughout your home, so why should your countertops be any different?
At Real Deal Countertops, we aspire to combine the beauty and durability of natural stone with unrivaled, personalized attention to all customers. With the highest quality materials and the most helpful customer service, we give our clients the opportunity to make informed decisions that they feel good about for years. Our story in the countertop fabrication and manufacturing industry began more than 19 years ago, when Rafael Quedevez started out as a sales representative in Massachusetts. Working his way up through the ranks, Rafael soon made his way to South Carolina to open and manage his own companies. In 2013, we created real Deal Countertops. Since that time, we are proud to have served more than 5,000 customers in South Carolina and beyond.
Our leadership team combines more than 40 years of experience in the home remodeling service industry. Always striving to create a better product for our customers, we use the latest in robotics technologies and the sharpest minds in the business to craft countertops of unparalleled quality. Unlike other countertop companies in Nexton, SC, we only source the finest stone slabs in the world.
At Real Deal Countertops, we offer a wide range of styles and materials to choose from, including:

Quartzite

Caesarstone

Silestone

Marble

Sensa

Pollar White

Vicostone

Quartz
We are committed to ensuring that granite, marble, and other unique, exotic stones are attainable to all who desire them. If you're in search of a trustworthy counter company with a team of knowledgeable, helpful experts, you have come to the right place!
Most Popular Countertops in Nexton, SC
Choosing the best countertops for your kitchen is an important decision, but it doesn't have to be a hard one. One of the best ways to narrow down your search is to find out what kind of countertop material you'd like to use. While it's true that material and style trends change over time, there are several counters that have always been top sellers.
Some of the most popular countertops we sell include:
Marble Countertops in Nexton, SC

There's no way around it - marble adds jaw-dropping beauty to just about any room and is known for its good looks. It is a dense stone that comes in many different hues like greens, browns, pinks, greys, whites, and more. While marble countertops often have otherworldly beauty, they can be susceptible to stains and cracks. Marble is also considered one of the most expensive counters to choose from, though the truth is marble comes in a wide range of qualities and prices.
- Pros: Stunning beauty, plenty of beautiful choices.
- Cons: Not always used in kitchens due to chance of staining.
- Popular Colors: Portinari, Shadow Storm, Super White, Lumen, Calacatta Linconni, Nobulato Honned, Shadow, Grey Imperiale Honed.


Granite Countertops in Nexton, SC

When it comes to popularity, granite countertops take the cake. Granite countertops usually contain a blend of quartz, feldspar, mica, and other minerals. Granite can add an edge of elegance and even a country-chic feel to your kitchen, making it a well-rounded stone. Granite is durable and scratch-resistant, though it can require sealing and DIY chip repair.
- Pros: Luxurious, rich look featuring natural stone that is durable, heat resistant, and scratch-resistant.
- Cons: Hard material that may require DIY chip repair and sealing.
- Popular Colors: Blue Jeans, Creama Pearl, Alure, Galaxy White, Luna Pear, Steel Grey, Ubatuba, Oro Brazil.
Quartz Countertops in Nexton, SC

Quartz is a manufactured material that represents one of our favorite four-letter words: easy! If you're looking to add a high-end feel to your kitchen or bathroom, quartz is an excellent material to consider. Like granite, quartz countertops can add a decadent vibe to any room. Unlike granite, you may not have to seal quartz quite as often (if ever).
- Pros: Quartz countertops come in plenty of colors to choose from and are easy to clean. They are also strong, scratch-resistant, and don't require sealing.
- Cons: Quartz is not as heat resistant as other materials like granite counters. Sharp corners tend to crack, but that can be remedied with rounded corners.
- Popular Colors: Noble Grey, Raw Concrete, Frosty Carrina, Shitake, Pebble, Pietra Grey, Sierra Madre, Arctic.


Silestone Countertops in Nexton, SC

A manufactured material made from quartz crystals, Silestone countertops are equal parts gorgeous and practical. Known for being a durable, non-porous choice, Silestone is resistant to stains, scratches, and even some forms of bacteria. Homeowners who choose Silestone do so because they can get a high-end look without having to worry too much about maintenance. Silestone counters look great in many different homes, from contemporary abodes with modern accents to vintage-looking kitchens.
- Pros: Silestone countertops are non-porous, meaning germs and bacteria can't lodge themselves inside this material. This makes Silestone counters great for kitchens and bathrooms alike. This material also comes in a wide variety of colors and resists scratches and chips. Overall, Silestone is an excellent choice if you want to make a solid long-term investment without much upkeep.
- Cons: While Silestone is great if you're looking for a low-maintenance counter option, it can be sensitive to harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia. Silestone is also not recommended for outdoor use since the resins used to make the material do not do well with UV light.
- Popular Colors: Daria, Gray Expo, Lagoon, Calacatta Gold, Arctic, Blanco City, Gris Expo, Desert Silver
Quartzite Countertops in Nexton, SC

Not to be confused with quartz countertops, which are manmade, quartzite is a naturally occurring stone that is quarried much in the same way that granite is. If you're a fan of marble counters, quartzite mimics its looks without as much upkeep. Like granite, it is a very durable choice and adds an upscale feeling to almost any room you choose.
- Pros: Since it doesn't require any special cleaners, quartzite looks great without much maintenance. When it gets dirty, soap and water should be all you need to clean. Quartzite is also a great long-term option since it doesn't wear down quickly at all.
- Cons: Heat is required to form quartzite. However, you should avoid putting hot pots and pans on your quartzite countertops. Because quartzite comes in many different varieties, some forms of quartzite need to be sealed more often than others.
- Popular Colors: Maya, Fusion, Locomotion, Callacata, Airy Concrete, Cocada White

Which Countertop is Right for You?
If you're just beginning your search for new countertops, it can be a little overwhelming trying to whittle down your options. We've got good news - with over 19 years in the industry, our team of experts has learned a thing or two about countertops. When you come to the Real Deal Countertops showroom, one of our goals is to educate you about our products and your countertop options, so you can make an educated purchasing decision.

How Will You Use Your Countertops in Nexton?

The first and perhaps most crucial part of your countertop choice should stem from how you and your family use your countertops. For example, if you have kids, your counters will probably see a lot of activity. Between standard eating times and "in-between" meals that teens are known for, your counters might double as food prep stations. As such, you might need a countertop material that is resistant to most food and beverage stains. If you own a rental property that sees a lot of foot traffic from strangers, you might want to consider an economical material that is also durable.
- Do you cook a lot?
- Do you host a lot of parties?
- How long will you be living in your home?
- How long will you be living in your home?
Once you figure out exactly how you'll be using your countertops, you can begin to narrow down your choices.

How Much Upkeep Is Too Much?
Be realistic and honest with yourself about this question. Before you fall in love with how a countertop material looks, be sure you understand how much upkeep is needed. Some materials require more care, while others don't need much at all.
Keep these points in mind:
- Materials like quartz only need to be wiped down occasionally.
- Materials like granite, marble, and limestone will need to be sealed at least once a year.
- Some materials may be durable but aren't stain resistant.
The bottom line is this: Assess the maintenance demands that come along with the materials you're looking at. Marble countertops in Nexton, SC are elegant, but if you'e unwilling to keep them looking their best, why bother buying the material?
You should be aware that most countertop materials will require some form of upkeep, even if it' minimal. To help keep your counters in pristine condition, consider these care and precaution tips:
- Many common foods contain acids that will dull or even damage the surface of stone countertops.Use coasters to protect your counters, especially if you'e drinking something with citrus juices or alcohol.
- Do not place scalding hot pots or pans directly on your countertops.
- Use mats or trivets to place under hot dishes.
- If you spill liquid on your countertops, blot the spill with a paper towel ASAP. Wiping the spill will cause it to spread.
- Use mild soap and plain water to clean up stains.
Which Colors and Materials Match Your Home's Aesthetics?
For many homeowners, this question is almost always top-of-mind. After all, you want to choose colors and materials that fit well with other features in your home. When selecting your countertop materials, try to choose a tone that contrasts with your other amenities, like your cabinets. Don't go for a perfect match. As an example, black granite is a beautiful contrast to white cabinets.
Consider these questions when choosing your countertop materials:
- Are there one or two colors that you love more than others?
- Does your choice go well with the color of your kitchen's walls?
- Do you want to switch up your kitchen's style or keep it the same?
- Will you be painting your kitchen a different color in the future?
- Will you be replacing your appliances soon?


Real Deal Countertops Pro Tip:
Because your home's accessories and paint job may change with time, your countertops should have a versatile color. That way, you won't have problems matching them with new paint colors or appliances.


Countertop Remodeling Done Right
At Real Deal Countertops, our #1 priority is your satisfaction. Unlike some countertop companies in Nexton, we make it a point to exceed our customer's expectations. We strive for excellence with every transaction we complete and pledge to faithfully implement innovative techniques to ensure that our products remain affordable. With the help of Real Deal Countertops, remodeling your kitchen and bath will be painless and easy.
The appearance of a kitchen or bath depends on the right countertop selection, proper fabrication, and expert installation. Are you interested in granite countertops in Nexton, SC? Maybe quartzite is a better choice for your family. Whatever you choose, know that our skilled installers and fabricators will make a template so that all custom pieces fit perfectly in your home.
Ready to get started? Have questions about our inventory?
We're here to help answer all your questions. Please feel free to give our office a call today at 866-707-1414 Before you know it, you will be ready for your new set of Real Deal Countertops!
Contact UsLatest News in Nexton, SC
Chasing a cure for Alzheimer’s: Speaker shares strategies with S’ville Rotary
Ralph Mancinihttps://www.postandcourier.com/journal-scene/news/chasing-a-cure-for-alzheimers-speaker-shares-strategies-with-sville-rotary/article_dcfa6ec0-a514-11ed-a7f7-fbbeaf5f8ec3.html
While Alzheimer’s disease has traditionally been a painful subject that many have previously kept in the shadows, Lake Murray-Irmo Rotary officer Rod Funderburk is pulling out all stops to shine a light on the incurable — and highly pervasive — malady.As the President of The Cart Fund, Funderburk is visiting with several organizations in the quest to raise monies for research that will lead to permanently thwarting Alzheimer’s. One of his most recent public appearances saw the USC graduate share his knowledge a...
While Alzheimer’s disease has traditionally been a painful subject that many have previously kept in the shadows, Lake Murray-Irmo Rotary officer Rod Funderburk is pulling out all stops to shine a light on the incurable — and highly pervasive — malady.
As the President of The Cart Fund, Funderburk is visiting with several organizations in the quest to raise monies for research that will lead to permanently thwarting Alzheimer’s. One of his most recent public appearances saw the USC graduate share his knowledge at the Rotary of Club of Summerville’s Feb. 1 session at the Nexton Hilton Garden Inn.
Funderburk invited the audience to imagine a few all-too-common scenarios that some of our parents, grandparents, friends and relatives unexpectedly encounter on a frequent basis.
“You’re in a parking lot, I don’t care what parking lot, and you are looking around. You can’t figure out where you are and you don’t remember how you got there,” he began.
“You are in a room. Somebody is talking to you and you’re studying their facial expression and studying their voice inflection — and trying to figure out who this person is.”
When introducing a third scenario, he asked listeners to picture themselves at a table filled with sumptuous food. But despite being hungry, they are paralyzed by the fact that they don’t know how to feed themselves despite the presence of kitchen utensils.
“Any of these three can be an Alzheimer’s patient. Alzheimer’s is a dreaded disease. It affects families just like it does a patient, and so it’s a cloud that hangs over our heads. And it’s a cloud we don’t want to deal with.”
While people typically equate Alzheimer’s with the deterioration of one’s memory, Funderburk depicted the condition as a series of neurological hiccups emanating from the brain.
When the million or so neurons — functioning as the connectors that move messages from the brain down to other parts of the body — misfire, he explained, those mental directives experience a lag or get diverted, resulting in the affected individual’s inability to perform mundane tasks.
“That happens millions of times a day with all kinds of decisions you try to make. If the neurons are not working, the messages get slowed down. Sometimes that’s not a big deal and sometimes that’s critical,” continued the guest speaker who also serves as a independent energy consultant.
Local Rotarians also learned that even though Alzheimer’s disease was initially identified in Frankfurt, Germany in 1906, it took about 90 years before a concerted effort was made to examine the affliction, which ranks as the sixth leading cause of death nationwide behind heart disease, accidents, COVID, stroke and chronic lower respiratory diseases.
Funderburk noted, however, that while the five diseases ahead of it all have preventions and cures, Alzheimer’s currently has neither.
The reason for this, according to Ten-Star Rotarian and benefactor, is that back in 1996 fewer than two cents for every medical research dollar was being invested in Alzheimer’s.
It wasn’t until former Rotary Club of Sumpter member Roger Ackerman — who passed in 2018 — inspired his fellow Rotarians to begin collecting change for research that extensive studies took flight.
Those donated monies, recounted Funderburk, were tucked away into research grants that are annually awarded to scientists/physicians who are plugging away in hopes of unearthing a silver bullet that can ultimately neutralize the form of dementia afflicting one in eight people 65 and older.
It was noted that Ackerman was the driving force behind creating what would be known as The CART (coins, checks, credit cards, cash for Alzheimer’s research trust) Fund, which reportedly dedicates 100 percent of monetary contributions to research.
The first grant in 1999 poured money into Dr. Allan Levey’s discovery of LR 11, a human gene mutation recognized as the greatest risk factor in predicting the late onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
What the conclusive study proved is that every Alzheimer’s patient possesses the LR 11 gene (sometimes referred to as SR 11). On the note, Funderburk clarified that not every individual with the LR 11 gene will develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
“We Rotarians in CART do not give money to our friends. We have a science and review panel that tells us who to pay because of their propensity of success,” he added.
Over the years, inroads have been achieved relative to doctors now using innovative methods to detect this most prevalent form of dementia, including placing anything from spinal and eye fluid under the microscope to analyzing blood samples.
But until a cure is found, certain measures only serve to delay the progress of Alzheimer’s in folks at risk of contracting the life-altering disorder. To that end, Funderburk advised adopting a diet rich in greens, fruits and fish, as well as recommending that people embark on a “vigorous” cardio exercise routine.
In the meantime, the numbers only continue to increase for the insidious disease, as there’s been a 145 percent rise in diagnosed Alzheimer’s cases in the U.S. over the past decade. Moreover, two-thirds of current Alzheimer’s patients are women.
What’s more, though the total of Alzheimer’s patients in the U.S. is about 6.5 million, The CART Fund president and spokesperson estimates that twice as many are victims of Alzheimer’s who have yet to be diagnosed.
“I’m sure you’ve read in the paper or in magazines [about] wonderful breakthroughs in the Alzheimer’s area,” concluded Funderburk. “Some of those are in trials, some of those have already failed. We’re looking forward to one of them succeeding.
“We are chasing a cure; we really are. You can be the power of one. Your contribution can put us over the hump and fund the researchers who can actually find the cure.”
Greater Charleston Industrial Campus Nears Completion
Simona Tudosehttps://www.commercialsearch.com/news/greater-charleston-industrial-campus-nears-completion/
Clarius Partners and Stonemont Financial Group have announced that Buildings 3 and 4 are available for lease at the partnership’s Omni Industrial Campus in Summerville, S.C. The two speculative buildings total nearly 971,000 square feet of Class A industrial space.Bridge Commercial is the exclusive leasing agent in charge of the 1.3 million-square-foot industrial park, expected to be delivered in June 2023.Omni Industrial Campus is situated on nearly 100 acres, within the...
Clarius Partners and Stonemont Financial Group have announced that Buildings 3 and 4 are available for lease at the partnership’s Omni Industrial Campus in Summerville, S.C. The two speculative buildings total nearly 971,000 square feet of Class A industrial space.
Bridge Commercial is the exclusive leasing agent in charge of the 1.3 million-square-foot industrial park, expected to be delivered in June 2023.
Omni Industrial Campus is situated on nearly 100 acres, within the Jedburg Industrial Corridor, close to Interstate 26, 22 miles from North Charleston Port, 26 miles from Hugh Leatherman Terminal and within 32 miles of the Port Charleston, one of the fastest-growing ports in the U.S. over the last decade. The development is also situated close to the 4,500-acre, master-planned community Nexton, and other residential areas, allowing future tenants easy access to the market’s workforce.
Designed to serve a variety of users
Bridge Commercial’s team led by Executive Vice Presidents Hagood Morrison and Simons Johnson, President Peter Fennelly and Associate Vice President Will Crowell are the appointed leasing brokers in charge of the development.
The project’s initial building, Building 2, encompassing 360,320 square feet of space is fully preleased to a long-term, build-to-suit tenant. The remaining two buildings will feature 36-foot clear heights, LED lightning and ESFR sprinkler systems. The 364,700-square-foot Building 3, designed to accommodate multiple tenants, will have 305 vehicle parking spots, 79 trailer parking spots, four drive-in doors and 36 dock high doors, while the 606,880-square-foot Building 4, designed for large volume distribution, will have 350 vehicle parking spots, 157 trailer parking spots, four drive-in doors and 64 dock-high doors. Additionally, all three properties will also have a speculative office component, available for occupancy starting June of this year.
READ ALSO: Heightened Industrial Demand Boosts New Lease Rates
The industrial project is the largest option near the Port of Charleston for companies looking for an intermodal distribution point in the Southeast region, noted Stonemont Financial Group’s Managing Principal & Chief Executive Officer, Zack Markwell, in a prepared statement.
Earlier this month, Avison Young was tapped as leasing agent in charge of another industrial property under development in the Charleston area. The firm will market for lease a 545,000-square-foot project in Ridgeville, S.C., that is part of Camp Hall Commerce Park, a 6,800-acre master-planned development.
SC Rep. Pace calls for more options for internet access
Katy Solthttps://abcnews4.com/news/local/sc-rep-pace-calls-for-more-options-for-internet-access-dorchester-county-berkeley-county-south-carolina-representative-jordan-pace-internet-cable-providers-home-telecom
State Rep. Jordan Pace says he, like so many others, felt the frustration when his internet and cable went out nearly two weeks ago. (WCIV)BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — There is a question of should there be some sort of oversight on internet providers if and when there's an extended outage.State Rep. Jordan Pace says he, like so many others, felt the frustration when his internet and cable went out nearly two weeks ago.Read more: ...
State Rep. Jordan Pace says he, like so many others, felt the frustration when his internet and cable went out nearly two weeks ago. (WCIV)
BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — There is a question of should there be some sort of oversight on internet providers if and when there's an extended outage.
State Rep. Jordan Pace says he, like so many others, felt the frustration when his internet and cable went out nearly two weeks ago.
Read more: Several Home Telecom customers still experiencing internet issues 6 days later
"About 5 or 6, I think once the load on the network started expanding and people started coming home from work, started experiencing outages and inconsistencies," he said. "That kind of thing for several days in a row."
Pace knows for many of his neighbors, Home Telecom is their only option because big name companies don't offer services.
"In the bulk of my statehouse district Nexton, Carnes Crossroads and Cane Bay - those other options haven't expanded out that way yet," he said.
Pace says free broadband initiatives presented by President Joe Biden's administration and by politicians like Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina help out people living in rural areas, but they don't guarantee people in his district more options. He says the issue is too much involvement from the government.
State Rep. Jordan Pace says he, like so many others, felt the frustration when his internet and cable went out nearly two weeks ago. (WCIV)
"It makes it very inherently expensive for competitors to come in and operate because of the overregulation," Pace said.
Pace says South Carolina has a lot of expensive hurdles for smaller companies that may want to come in and create internet access.
"If they're out of state, they're going to pay 13.5% on all the equipment they own, all of the assets they have that isn't real property every year forever, unless they're big enough to have lobbyists to get them special deals," he said.
Read more: Home Telecom responds to recent internet outage
Pace says he's filed a bill to eliminate the state income tax to make it easier for businesses to move into the area.
"What we can do on the state level is make it as business friendly as possible," Pace said. "Lower that corporate income tax, personal business property tax. Lower the state income tax."
"Allowing entrepreneurs to bring about different alternatives (is) the solution," he continued. "Not more involvement or more scrutiny from the government."
Other internet providers were asked if they have any plans to expand services to portions of Berkeley and Dorchester counties. Xfinity says its working to do that now with its 10G network and finished an expansion to Moncks Corner.
Coastal SC condo owners could see hazard insurance rates skyrocket
Warren Wisehttps://www.postandcourier.com/business/real_estate/coastal-sc-condo-owners-could-see-hazard-insurance-rates-skyrocket/article_1aaef2a0-a0dc-11ed-8c96-97cc85aed417.html
Mount Pleasant condominium owner Jay Smith recently saw his monthly regime fee rise 10 percent to nearly $400 a month.The price hike came after the company that provides hazard insurance for the eight-building, 64-unit complex off Shem Creek where the retiree lives hiked its premium by $27,000 this year, or 52 percent, to renew the policy.Other condo owners along the South Carolina coast soon could see similar spikes for the monthly fee they pay in association dues to cover expenses such as landscaping, roof repairs, painting, ...
Mount Pleasant condominium owner Jay Smith recently saw his monthly regime fee rise 10 percent to nearly $400 a month.
The price hike came after the company that provides hazard insurance for the eight-building, 64-unit complex off Shem Creek where the retiree lives hiked its premium by $27,000 this year, or 52 percent, to renew the policy.
Other condo owners along the South Carolina coast soon could see similar spikes for the monthly fee they pay in association dues to cover expenses such as landscaping, roof repairs, painting, amenities and insurance when their policies come up for renewal.
Insurance brokers who help condo associations try to find competitive rates from carriers blame the surging costs on the rash of natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires and other calamities across the U.S. during the past few years. Recent storms, to name a few, include Harvey in 2017, Michael in 2018, Dorian in 2019, Laura in 2020, Ida in 2021 and Ian in 2022.
Last year was the eighth consecutive year when 10 or more billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events affected the U.S., according to the National Centers for Environmental Information, an arm of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. During the previous three decades, the government logged five similar years.
That’s led to fewer companies serving the coastal condo market because they can no longer afford to cover all of the potential losses from structural damage.
“We are down to four or five providers that can be competitive when three years ago we had 12 or so,” said Isaac Matthews, a broker with Brown & Brown Insurance in North Charleston which helps condominium management companies try to find the best rates when it’s time for their association clients to renew coverage each year.
“The past five years in a row of catastrophic losses have affected their underwriting profits, so they are going to pull away from that sector of business or move out of the territory altogether,” he said.
Paying a premium
Matthews and other brokers are sounding the alarm that some condo owners could be in for sticker shock when their policies come up for renewal this year. To offset the higher premiums, governing boards have few alternatives other than cutting services, raising dues or imposing special assessments.
“The best-case scenario is a 30-35 percent increase in premiums,” Matthews said. “We are facing one of the most challenging years in the last decade.”
He pointed to a 36-unit condo complex on Daniel Island as a recent example. The annual premium for hazard insurance to cover damage from fire, wind, hail, earthquakes and hurricanes more than tripled to $223,000 from $71,000.
“The previous provider is no longer writing (hazard coverage) that close to the coast,” Matthews said.
He cited another example, saying rates for a 153-unit complex in North Charleston more than doubled to $181,000 a year.
The rising insurance rates are not confined to the Lowcountry.
“It’s a problem along the entire coast,” Matthews said.
In the Myrtle Beach area, some condo associations could see rates balloon by 300 percent, said Mike Almond, a broker with Acentria Insurance on Pawleys Island.
Some of the main carriers for areas within three to five miles of the coast have exited the market because of the hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters affecting the U.S. last year.
“Hurricane Matthew (in 2016) and Hurricane Michael (in 2018) started the strain on carriers, and Hurricane Ian (in 2022) put the nail in the coffin,” Almond said.
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Underwriters are now being picky.
“They want to insure a building that can withstand a Category 4 or Cat 5 hurricane,” he said.
He noted that “most of the construction on the coast” dates back to mid-1980s, “and a lot of the carriers don’t want to touch it.”
‘No end in sight’
Matthews of Brown & Brown said some of the factors pushing rates higher include the increased demand for coverage, the rising costs of rebuilding homes and higher appraised values of older structures. That’s in addition to other standard considerations, such as the distance to the shoreline, the year a property was built and claims history.
“The few insurance companies that are still willing to place coverage are being very selective on risk quality,” Matthews said.
Like Matthews, Almond called the current premium increases the largest he’s seen in quite a few years.
“If our hurricane season this year is bad, you will definitely feel (the financial impact) even more at the end of the year,” Almond said.
Another pricing wrinkle for the industry is the so-called reinsurance market, which provides policies that carriers buy to cover some of their risks. It’s tapped out.
Matthews said the reinsurance money supply is down $50 billion while demand last year was up about $30 billion.
“This means there is currently an $80 billion gap between insurance companies’ capacity and insurable property values,” he said.
Owners of single-family homes along the coast aren’t feeling as much of a price sting because that market isn’t short on carriers, making it easier to obtain coverage.
“There are only so many companies willing to insure a 200-unit property valued at $50 million, for instance, rather than a house for $500,000,” Matthews said.
He also pointed out hazard insurance does not include flood protection, which is another policy altogether. It also does not cover problems with structural integrity, which is a maintenance issue.
Jason Besse, a broker with Correll Insurance Group of Summerville, said the market for hazard insurance is cyclical, with rates typically rising after major disasters. He doesn’t see costs coming down anytime soon.
“There is no end in sight this go round,” Besse said. “It’s a bad deal. We don’t have the capacity to fill the risk, and there are fewer players in the carrier and reinsurance markets.”
For condo owners such as Smith in Mount Pleasant, who retired and moved to the Lowcountry from West Virginia several years ago, the trend is troublesome.
“If the rates keep going up, it’s going to become unaffordable for some people,” he said.
Summerville approves $21M Maple Street extension project
Madeline Quonhttps://www.postandcourier.com/news/summerville-approves-21m-maple-street-extension-project/article_be77e210-a899-11ed-994f-2f8dcbd0e60d.html
SUMMERVILLE — After years of traffic concerns, the town is getting started on a $21 million road project to improve Maple Street.The road runs from West Richardson Avenue downtown to Nexton Parkway. The project includes widening Maple Street from two to four lanes just east of Shamrock Drive to West Richardson Avenue; adding turn lanes at all approaches to U.S. Highway 78; installing a traffic signal at West Richardson Avenue; and adding a new alignment from West Richardson to Parsons Road, where it will transition from three la...
SUMMERVILLE — After years of traffic concerns, the town is getting started on a $21 million road project to improve Maple Street.
The road runs from West Richardson Avenue downtown to Nexton Parkway. The project includes widening Maple Street from two to four lanes just east of Shamrock Drive to West Richardson Avenue; adding turn lanes at all approaches to U.S. Highway 78; installing a traffic signal at West Richardson Avenue; and adding a new alignment from West Richardson to Parsons Road, where it will transition from three lanes to two lanes at the Parsons Road connection.
Even mid-morning traffic on Maple Street is notable; it becomes easily congested due to it being a two-way street. If one car needs to turn left, several cars will be held up waiting for the vehicle to turn.
The Maple Street extension has been in the works since 2015 and is one of many road projects the Dorchester County 1 percent sales tax will fund. The tax, which voters elected to continue last year, began in 2004 and has paid for improvements to several roads such as Bacons Bridge Road, S.C. Highway 27 and Patriots Boulevard.
The town of Summerville and Dorchester County are partnering on the project.
Officials said the project will help alleviate congestion in a town beset by traffic concerns as its population has exploded in recent years.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town’s population has jumped from 27,752 in 2000 to 50,915 in 2020. The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments projects the 2030 population to exceed 97,000.
“The Maple Street Extension Project will help alleviate traffic congestion and improve safety,” Mayor Ricky Waring said. “I am grateful for the support from our agency partners and the Dorchester County voters who supported the transportation sales tax referendum that helped fund this project.”
Up to $11 million of the project — including construction and engineering/inspection — will be funded by the town’s midtown tax increment finance district funds. Dorchester County sales tax referendum funds will cover the rest, totaling the construction costs to just under $21 million and engineering costs around $1.2 million.
“This project will be one of the first opportunities the county has to utilize funds made available to us through the continuation of the Transportation Sales Tax,” Dorchester County Council Chairman Todd Friddle said. “The Maple Street Extension Project is a great example of what can be accomplished when we collaborate to improve our community, and we look forward to working together again on future projects.”
Construction will start in April or May, with the goal of completion by spring 2025.
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