Is Cassatt, South Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Cassatt, South Carolina, begin by researching Kershaw County's zoning regulations and any municipal ordinances specific to short-term rentals, as some areas require special permits or have restrictions on rental duration. Contact Kershaw County's planning and zoning department to determine if your property is zoned for short-term rentals and obtain any necessary business licenses or permits, which typically cost $50-150 annually. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings, considering factors like proximity to attractions in nearby Camden or Columbia (30 minutes away), and ensure the property meets safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress windows. Furnish the space with quality, durable furniture focusing on comfort and functionality, budgeting approximately $3,000-8,000 for a complete setup including linens, kitchen essentials, and basic amenities. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting the rural charm and proximity to Kershaw County attractions, setting competitive rates based on similar properties in the Camden area (typically $75-150 per night). For ongoing management, establish cleaning protocols between guests, respond promptly to inquiries, maintain the property regularly, collect and remit South Carolina's 7% sales tax plus any local accommodation taxes, and consider hiring a local property management company if you live far from Cassatt, as the rural location may require more hands-on maintenance and guest communication.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Cassatt, South Carolina, focus on properties within 15-20 minutes of major attractions like Camden Historic District and nearby equestrian facilities, as this rural area benefits from proximity to horse racing events and historic tourism. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or cabins with outdoor amenities like fire pits, porches, or acreage that appeal to families and groups seeking rural retreats, with properties built after 1990 typically performing better due to modern amenities. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against comparable properties in Camden and Lugoff, aiming for average daily rates between $80-150 depending on size and amenities, with occupancy rates of 60-70% being realistic for this market. Research competition by analyzing existing STR listings within a 10-mile radius on Airbnb and VRBO, noting that limited inventory in Cassatt itself creates opportunity but requires marketing to guests visiting Camden's attractions or Columbia (45 minutes away). Utilize tools like Rabbu and STR Helper for market analysis, partner with local property management companies familiar with Kershaw County regulations, and leverage the area's appeal to equestrian tourists, NASCAR fans visiting nearby tracks, and visitors to Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site to maximize booking potential.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Cassatt, South Carolina, you must first contact the Kershaw County Planning and Development Department since Cassatt is an unincorporated community within Kershaw County. Apply through the county office located at 515 Walnut Street, Camden, SC 29020, or visit their website to download application forms. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application, property deed or lease agreement, site plan showing parking areas, septic system approval if applicable, fire safety inspection certificate, and proof of liability insurance with minimum $1 million coverage. Submit a business license application to Kershaw County simultaneously, along with a $150 application fee and $75 annual renewal fee. The approval process generally takes 30-45 days after submission of complete documentation. Specific Cassatt/Kershaw County requirements include maintaining adequate off-street parking for guests, ensuring septic systems can handle increased occupancy, posting maximum occupancy limits visibly in the rental unit, providing 24-hour contact information to neighbors, and adhering to noise ordinances with quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM. Properties must also pass health department inspection if serving more than occasional guests and comply with all residential zoning restrictions, which may limit the number of rental days per year to 180 in some residential zones.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Cassatt, South Carolina are generally legal but subject to state and local regulations. As a small unincorporated community in Kershaw County, Cassatt falls under county jurisdiction rather than municipal ordinances. Kershaw County typically allows STRs in residential areas but may require business licenses and compliance with health and safety standards. Property owners must collect and remit state accommodations taxes (currently 7%) and local hospitality taxes where applicable. The South Carolina Short-Term Rental Act, enacted around 2018-2019, provides a framework for STR operations while allowing local governments to impose reasonable regulations regarding safety, taxation, and zoning. Most restrictions focus on ensuring properties meet building codes, fire safety requirements, and septic system capacity for increased occupancy. There are generally no prohibited areas specifically for STRs in rural Kershaw County locations like Cassatt, though properties must comply with any existing zoning restrictions and homeowners association rules if applicable.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Cassatt, South Carolina are primarily concentrated around the historic downtown district near the old railroad depot area, which attracts visitors interested in the town's railway heritage and antique shopping along Main Street. The residential neighborhoods within walking distance of Cassatt Park offer appeal for families visiting the area's equestrian facilities and rural tourism activities. Properties near the Cassatt-area farms and agritourism venues perform well due to visitors seeking authentic rural experiences and those attending seasonal harvest festivals. The areas close to Highway 1 provide convenient access for business travelers working with local agricultural operations or passing through to nearby Camden, while still maintaining the small-town charm that draws weekend getaway visitors from Charlotte and Columbia. Investment properties near the community's few bed-and-breakfast establishments benefit from overflow demand during peak seasons when visitors come for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation in the surrounding Kershaw County countryside.

Airbnb properties in Cassatt, South Carolina are subject to South Carolina's 7% state accommodations tax, which applies to stays of 90 days or less and is collected by the host at the time of booking through Airbnb's automatic tax collection system for most properties. Additionally, Kershaw County imposes a 2% local accommodations tax, bringing the total occupancy tax rate to approximately 9%. The state accommodations tax is remitted monthly to the South Carolina Department of Revenue by the 20th of the following month, while the county tax is typically remitted to Kershaw County's tax office on a similar schedule. Airbnb automatically collects and remits these taxes for most hosts through their platform, though some hosts may need to register directly with state and local authorities depending on their booking volume and registration status. Properties rented for 90 consecutive days or more to the same guest are generally exempt from accommodations taxes, and certain properties used for permanent residency purposes may also qualify for exemptions, though hosts should verify their specific situation with local tax authorities.

Starting an Airbnb in Cassatt, South Carolina requires approximately $180,000-220,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $150,000-180,000 based on median home prices in the rural Kershaw County area. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property with quality furniture, appliances, linens, and décor typically costs $15,000-25,000. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations runs $2,000-4,000. Permits and fees in South Carolina include business license ($50), short-term rental permit if required by county ($100-300), and potential HOA approval costs totaling $200-500. Insurance for short-term rentals costs $1,200-2,000 annually, with an upfront payment of $300-500. Utility deposits and first month service for electricity, water, internet, and cable total approximately $400-600. First six months operating costs including utilities ($150/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), marketing ($100/month), and platform fees (3% of estimated $1,500 monthly revenue) amount to roughly $4,200-5,500, bringing the complete startup investment to approximately $173,000-218,000.

Airbnb properties in Cassatt, South Carolina, a small unincorporated community in Kershaw County, face unique profitability challenges due to limited tourism infrastructure and remote location, with estimated annual revenues ranging from $8,000-$15,000 for typical 2-3 bedroom properties based on $40-65 nightly rates and 30-40% occupancy rates. Operating expenses typically consume 60-70% of gross revenue, including property management fees (15-25%), cleaning costs ($30-50 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), insurance ($1,200-1,800 annually), and maintenance reserves (5-8% of revenue), resulting in net profit margins of 15-25% or $2,000-$4,500 annually per property. Success factors in this rural market include proximity to Lake Wateree recreational activities, competitive pricing below Columbia market rates ($85-120), exceptional guest experiences to generate repeat bookings, and targeting fishing/hunting enthusiasts and family reunions rather than business travelers. Properties within 10 miles of Lake Wateree typically outperform inland locations by 20-30% in both occupancy and rates, while those offering amenities like boat parking, fishing equipment, or large gathering spaces command premium pricing and achieve higher profitability despite the area's limited commercial attractions and distance from major metropolitan centers.

Based on Cassatt, South Carolina market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property type and location within the area. Properties in Cassatt generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with initial investment recovery timeframes averaging 8-10 years. The market benefits from proximity to Columbia and Lake Wateree recreational activities, driving consistent occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. Investment properties in the $150,000-$250,000 range commonly produce monthly gross revenues of $1,800-$2,800, with net operating margins of 35-45% after accounting for cleaning, maintenance, property management fees, and local taxes. Seasonal variations show peak performance during summer months and hunting season, with winter occupancy dropping to 45-55%, making diversified marketing strategies essential for maintaining target ROI figures throughout the year.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market data. In the Cassatt, South Carolina area, local real estate agents like those at Keller Williams Fort Mill and RE/MAX Executive Realty specialize in short-term rental investments, while Century 21 Vanguard agents have experience with vacation rental properties in the greater Lancaster County region. National services include Awning for full-service Airbnb property management and investment guidance, RedAwning for vacation rental property listings, and Vacasa which provides market analysis for potential STR investments. AirDNA offers comprehensive market data and revenue projections for the South Carolina market, while companies like Roofstock and Mashvisor provide online platforms for analyzing rental property investments. Local property management companies such as Carolina Coastal Vacations and Palmetto Vacation Rentals can provide insights into profitable markets, and real estate investment groups like the Charlotte Real Estate Investors Association extend their services to the Cassatt area for networking and deal sourcing.