Is Bethune, South Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Bethune, South Carolina, begin by researching local regulations through Kershaw County and the Town of Bethune, as most small South Carolina municipalities don't have specific short-term rental ordinances but may require business licenses ($25-50 annually). Contact Kershaw County Planning Department to verify zoning compliance and obtain any necessary permits, typically requiring a business license and potentially a fire safety inspection. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings, considering proximity to attractions like Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site (20 minutes away) or Lake Wateree, with average property prices ranging $80,000-150,000 for suitable homes. Furnish the property with essential amenities including quality bedding, kitchen supplies, WiFi, and local guidebooks, budgeting approximately $5,000-10,000 for complete furnishing. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting unique features, competitive pricing around $75-125 per night based on regional comparisons, and detailed descriptions emphasizing the rural charm and proximity to Columbia (45 minutes). Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating key exchanges through lockboxes or personal meetings, and maintaining the property regularly while building positive reviews to increase bookings in this emerging market area.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Bethune, South Carolina, focus on properties within 15-20 minutes of major attractions like the Historic Bethune area and proximity to Highway 1 for easy access to Charlotte (45 minutes) and Columbia (1 hour). Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or cabins with unique features like porches, fireplaces, or rural charm that appeal to visitors seeking authentic small-town experiences, with properties priced between $80,000-$200,000 offering the best ROI potential. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify optimal nightly rates of $75-$150, while researching competition through Airbnb and VRBO searches within a 10-mile radius to identify gaps in amenities or property types. Leverage tools like STR Helper for market analysis, connect with local real estate agents familiar with Kershaw County investment properties, and monitor the Bethune Tourism Board and nearby Camden's equestrian events calendar since visitors often seek accommodations in surrounding areas. Consider properties near Lake Wateree (20 minutes away) or with easy access to outdoor recreation, as these command premium rates during peak seasons from spring through fall when tourism activity increases in the greater Columbia-Charlotte corridor.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Bethune, South Carolina, you must first contact the Kershaw County Planning and Zoning Department at 515 Walnut Street, Camden, SC 29020, as Bethune falls under county jurisdiction for zoning matters. Submit a completed short-term rental application along with a copy of your property deed, site plan showing parking areas, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage), fire safety inspection certificate from Kershaw County Fire Department, and septic system inspection if applicable. The application fee is approximately $150 with an additional $75 annual renewal fee. You'll need to schedule inspections for fire safety, building code compliance, and health department approval, which typically take 2-3 weeks to complete. The entire permit process generally takes 4-6 weeks from submission to approval. Bethune requires STR properties to maintain adequate off-street parking (minimum 2 spaces), comply with occupancy limits based on septic capacity, display the permit number in all advertising, and maintain a local contact person available 24/7 for emergencies. Properties must also meet all residential building codes and cannot operate in areas zoned exclusively residential without a special use permit, which requires a public hearing and additional fees of approximately $300.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Bethune, South Carolina are generally legal under state law, as South Carolina does not prohibit STRs at the state level and has been relatively accommodating to the vacation rental industry since around 2018-2019. However, Bethune, being a small town in Kershaw County, likely operates under basic zoning ordinances that may not have specific STR regulations in place, meaning rentals would typically be permitted in residential areas unless explicitly prohibited by local ordinance. The town probably requires standard business licenses for commercial activities, and property owners would need to comply with state tax requirements including collecting and remitting accommodations taxes. Given Bethune's small size and rural character, there are likely no designated prohibited areas or complex permitting processes like those found in larger tourist destinations, though operators should verify current local requirements with the town clerk as regulations can change and small municipalities sometimes adopt new rules without widespread notice.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Bethune, South Carolina include the historic downtown district near Main Street, which attracts visitors interested in small-town charm and antique shopping, and properties within a 10-mile radius of McLeod Farms, one of the largest peach operations in the state that draws agritourism visitors during harvest season from May through August. The area near Bethune Elementary School and residential neighborhoods along Highway 1 offer good potential due to their proximity to both I-20 (providing easy access for business travelers commuting to Columbia or Charlotte) and the annual Bethune Founder's Day Festival held each October. Properties near the Lynches River corridor appeal to outdoor enthusiasts seeking fishing, kayaking, and nature photography opportunities, while locations within 15 miles of Darlington Raceway capture overflow demand during NASCAR events when nearby accommodations fill up. The residential areas around Bethune-Bowman High School also present opportunities for families visiting for school events, sports tournaments, and graduations, with these properties typically commanding higher rates during the academic year from August through May.

In Bethune, South Carolina, Airbnb properties are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The South Carolina state accommodations tax is 2% of gross proceeds from short-term rental bookings, which applies to rentals of less than 90 consecutive days. Lee County, where Bethune is located, imposes an additional local accommodations tax of approximately 2-3% on lodging rentals. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking and remitted to the appropriate tax authorities on behalf of hosts through Airbnb's automated tax collection system, which began around 2019-2020 for South Carolina. Hosts may still need to register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue and obtain a retail license if they handle any direct bookings outside of Airbnb's platform. Monthly or quarterly remittance is required depending on the volume of rentals, with returns due by the 20th of the month following the reporting period. Exemptions may apply for rentals to permanent residents or stays exceeding 90 consecutive days, and some properties rented for fewer than 15 days per year may qualify for certain tax exemptions under federal guidelines.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Bethune, South Carolina is approximately $185,000-$225,000. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$150,000 based on median home prices in rural South Carolina markets. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $15,000-$25,000 for quality furniture, appliances, linens, and décor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations total $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registrations cost approximately $500-$1,000 annually. Insurance for short-term rentals runs $2,000-$3,000 per year, significantly higher than standard homeowner's insurance. Utilities including electricity, water, internet, cable, and trash service average $300-$400 monthly or $1,800-$2,400 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services, supplies, maintenance, marketing, platform fees, and property management total $8,000-$12,000. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees, property taxes of $1,200-$2,000 annually, and a recommended cash reserve of $10,000-$15,000 for unexpected repairs and vacancy periods.

Airbnb properties in Bethune, South Carolina, face challenging profitability conditions due to the town's small population of approximately 350 residents and limited tourist attractions, resulting in average daily rates of $45-65 and occupancy rates typically below 35% annually. Property owners in this rural Kershaw County location generally generate gross revenues of $4,000-8,000 per year for typical 2-3 bedroom homes, while facing expenses including mortgage payments ($600-900/month), utilities ($150-200/month), cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), property management (20-25% of revenue), insurance ($1,200-1,800/year), and maintenance costs ($1,000-2,000/year). Most properties operate at break-even or slight losses, with profit margins rarely exceeding 5-10% due to low demand from the lack of major employers, tourist destinations, or proximity to larger cities like Columbia (45 miles away). Success factors for the few profitable properties include targeting hunting and fishing enthusiasts visiting nearby Wateree River areas, offering competitive pricing below $60/night, maintaining exceptional cleanliness standards, and marketing to workers on temporary assignments at regional industrial facilities, though even successful operators typically achieve net profits of only $1,000-3,000 annually after all expenses.

Airbnb investments in Bethune, South Carolina typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, though these figures are modest due to the town's small size and limited tourist infrastructure. Properties in this rural Kershaw County community, with a population under 400, face challenges from low demand and limited attractions, requiring initial investments of $80,000-$150,000 for suitable properties. Most investors achieve profitability within 18-24 months, primarily serving travelers passing through on Highway 1 or visiting nearby Camden for equestrian events. The market benefits from proximity to Columbia (45 minutes) and Charlotte (90 minutes), but occupancy rates typically remain around 40-50% annually. Properties that cater to longer-term stays or corporate travelers may see slightly higher returns of 10-14% ROI, while those focusing solely on leisure tourism often struggle to exceed 8% annual returns in this limited market.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental investment properties and provides comprehensive market analysis for Airbnb investors in Bethune, South Carolina. Local real estate agents serving the Bethune area include Century 21 Boling & Associates, Coldwell Banker McMillan and Associates, and RE/MAX Professionals who have experience with investment properties in rural South Carolina markets. National services that can assist with Airbnb property acquisition in Bethune include Awning (formerly RedAwning), which offers property management and investment analysis, Mashvisor for rental property analytics, AirDNA for short-term rental market data, and Roofstock for turnkey rental property investments. Regional companies like Carolina Investment Properties and Palmetto State Property Group specialize in South Carolina investment real estate, while national firms such as HomeUnion, Mynd, and Arrived Homes provide comprehensive investment property services that extend to smaller markets like Bethune. Additionally, local property management companies such as Kershaw County Property Management and services like Vacasa and RedAwning can provide ongoing management support for Airbnb properties in the Bethune area.