Is Cross, South Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Cross, South Carolina, begin by researching Berkeley County's zoning regulations and short-term rental ordinances, as Cross falls under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal codes. Contact Berkeley County Planning Department to verify your property is zoned for short-term rentals and obtain any required business licenses, which typically cost $50-100 annually. Since Cross is unincorporated, you'll primarily deal with county and state requirements including South Carolina business registration ($110) and collecting state accommodations tax (7%). Find a suitable property by searching rural areas near Cross or nearby Moncks Corner, focusing on properties with 2-3 bedrooms priced between $150,000-$250,000 that offer country charm or lake access. Furnish the space with comfortable, durable furniture from retailers like Ashley Furniture or Wayfair, budgeting $8,000-$15,000 for a complete setup including linens, kitchen essentials, and outdoor furniture to highlight the rural setting. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos showcasing the peaceful countryside location, proximity to Lake Moultrie (15 minutes), and Charleston access (45 minutes), pricing competitively at $80-$120 per night. For management, establish cleaning protocols between guests, install keyless entry systems, create a guidebook highlighting local attractions like Cypress Gardens and Santee Cooper lakes, and consider hiring local cleaning services in nearby Moncks Corner. Ensure you have proper insurance coverage through companies like Proper Insurance or CBIZ, and maintain responsive communication with guests to achieve Superhost status and maximize bookings in this rural market.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Cross, South Carolina, focus on properties within 10-15 minutes of Lake Marion and Santee Cooper lakes, as waterfront or water-view locations command premium rates of $150-250 per night compared to $80-120 for inland properties. Target 3-4 bedroom homes with boat parking, fishing access, outdoor spaces, and modern amenities like updated kitchens and WiFi, as these features attract the area's primary market of fishing enthusiasts and lake vacationers. Analyze comparable properties using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify optimal pricing strategies, with peak seasons during spring fishing months (March-May) and summer lake activities (June-August) generating 70-80% occupancy rates. Research competition by monitoring existing STRs within a 5-mile radius, noting that Cross has approximately 15-25 active listings with successful properties averaging $2,500-4,000 monthly revenue. Utilize tools like Rabbu and AllTheRooms for market analysis, partner with local property management companies familiar with Berkeley County regulations, and consider properties near Santee State Park or Old Santee Canal Park to capture both fishing and family recreation markets, ensuring compliance with Berkeley County's STR permitting requirements established in 2019.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Cross, South Carolina, you must first contact the Berkeley County Planning Department since Cross is an unincorporated community in Berkeley County, typically by visiting their office at 1003 Highway 52 in Moncks Corner or calling (843) 719-4073. Required documents generally include a completed short-term rental application, property deed or lease agreement, site plan showing parking and septic system details, septic tank inspection certificate, and proof of liability insurance with minimum $1 million coverage. The application fee is estimated at $150-300 with potential additional inspection fees of $75-150. You must also register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue for accommodations tax collection and obtain a business license from Berkeley County costing approximately $50-100. The approval timeline typically ranges from 4-8 weeks depending on inspection scheduling and application completeness. Specific Cross area requirements likely include compliance with rural residential zoning setbacks, adequate septic capacity for increased occupancy, designated off-street parking for guests, and adherence to Berkeley County's noise ordinances and occupancy limits which typically restrict rentals to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Cross, South Carolina, but operate under regulations that vary by county jurisdiction since Cross is a small town that typically follows county-level ordinances. As of 2021-2022, STR operators in Berkeley County (where Cross is located) generally must obtain a business license and comply with state tax requirements, with properties typically limited to rental periods under 30 days. The area allows STRs in most residential zones with proper licensing, though specific zoning restrictions may apply in certain subdivisions or planned communities. Cross and Berkeley County require STR operators to maintain contact information for guest issues and comply with basic safety standards including smoke detectors and emergency egress requirements. Recent regulatory developments include increased coordination between state and local tax collection agencies and enhanced reporting requirements for rental income. Properties must meet standard residential building codes and maintain appropriate insurance coverage, while homeowners associations and neighborhood covenants may impose additional restrictions beyond municipal requirements. Given Cross's small size and rural character, enforcement tends to be complaint-driven rather than proactive inspection-based.

Cross, South Carolina is a small rural town in Berkeley County, making it challenging for traditional Airbnb investments due to limited tourism infrastructure and attractions. However, the most promising area would be properties near Lake Moultrie, particularly along the western shore closest to Cross, as this provides fishing, boating, and water recreation opportunities that attract weekend visitors and fishing enthusiasts year-round. The Highway 6 corridor connecting Cross to larger cities like Charleston (45 minutes away) could attract travelers seeking affordable accommodations outside the city while maintaining reasonable access to Charleston's tourism and business districts. Properties near Santee Cooper Country and the Santee National Wildlife Refuge, approximately 15-20 minutes from Cross, could capture nature tourists, hunters, and outdoor recreation visitors. The area around Old Number Six Highway might appeal to visitors attending events at nearby plantations or those exploring the Lowcountry's rural heritage tourism. Given Cross's proximity to Charleston and the growing popularity of rural retreats post-2020, properties offering a "country escape" experience while remaining accessible to urban amenities could find a niche market among Charleston visitors seeking quieter, more affordable alternatives to city accommodations.

In Cross, South Carolina, Airbnb properties are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The South Carolina state accommodations tax is 2% of gross proceeds, while Berkeley County (where Cross is located) typically imposes an additional 2-3% local accommodations tax, bringing the total to approximately 4-5%. These taxes are collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automatic tax collection system, which has been in place since 2019 following agreements with South Carolina tax authorities. Airbnb remits these taxes directly to the South Carolina Department of Revenue on a monthly basis, though hosts remain responsible for registering with the state and ensuring compliance. Properties rented for 90 consecutive days or more to the same guest are generally exempt from accommodations taxes, as are rentals to permanent residents. Additionally, stays of 90 days or longer may be subject to regular sales tax instead of accommodations tax, and hosts should verify their specific municipal requirements as some local jurisdictions may have additional registration or licensing requirements beyond the standard tax obligations.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Cross, South Carolina is approximately $185,000-$225,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in rural Berkeley County areas. Furnishing costs range $8,000-$12,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, and living room furniture from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local stores. Initial setup costs total $2,000-$3,000 covering professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations. Permits and fees amount to $500-$800 including business license, short-term rental permit, and potential HOA approvals. Insurance adds $1,200-$1,800 annually for short-term rental coverage through companies like Proper or CBIZ. Utilities average $150-$200 monthly totaling $900-$1,200 for six months covering electricity, water, internet, and cable. First six months operating costs reach $3,000-$4,000 including cleaning services at $75 per turnover, maintenance supplies, guest amenities, platform fees to Airbnb and VRBO, marketing expenses, and emergency repairs, assuming 40-60% occupancy during the initial period.

Airbnb properties in Cross, South Carolina, a small rural community in Berkeley County, typically generate modest returns due to limited tourism demand and lower nightly rates compared to coastal areas. Properties in this area average $45-65 per night with occupancy rates around 35-45% annually, resulting in gross revenues of $6,000-12,000 per year for a typical 2-3 bedroom home. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($25-35 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs typically consume 60-70% of gross revenue, leaving net profit margins of 30-40% or roughly $2,000-4,000 annually. Success factors in Cross include proximity to Lake Moultrie for fishing enthusiasts, competitive pricing below $60/night, and targeting extended-stay guests or workers in nearby industrial facilities. Properties within 10 miles of Moncks Corner or with lake access perform better, with some hosts reporting 15-20% higher occupancy rates. The market remains challenging due to Cross's rural location, limited attractions, and competition from established vacation rental markets in Charleston (45 minutes away) and Myrtle Beach, making it more suitable for investors seeking supplemental income rather than primary revenue streams.

Airbnb investments in Cross, South Carolina typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, though these figures are estimates given Cross's small market size and limited vacation rental data. Properties in this rural Berkley County community, located near Lake Moultrie, can expect initial profitability within 18-24 months, with seasonal fishing and hunting tourism driving occupancy rates of 45-60% annually. Investment properties averaging $150,000-$250,000 can generate gross rental income of $18,000-$35,000 per year, with net returns after expenses typically falling in the 7-9% range. The timeframe to break-even on initial investment and renovation costs generally extends 2-3 years, with stronger performance during peak fishing seasons from March through June and October through December when daily rates can reach $120-$180 compared to off-season rates of $80-$120.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors in Cross, South Carolina, offering comprehensive market analysis and property recommendations. Local real estate agents in the Charleston metropolitan area who serve Cross include Keller Williams Realty agents specializing in investment properties, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage investment specialists, and RE/MAX professionals with vacation rental expertise. National services include Mashvisor, which provides Airbnb profitability analysis and property search tools, AirDNA for market data and revenue projections, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing. RedAwning offers property management and acquisition services for short-term rentals, while Awning provides end-to-end Airbnb investment services including property identification and management. Local property management companies like Charleston Airbnb Management and Lowcountry Vacation Rentals also assist investors in finding suitable properties while offering ongoing management services. Additional national platforms include Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, HomeUnion for investment property sourcing, and Vacasa which provides both property management and acquisition assistance for vacation rental investors in the South Carolina market.