Is Hodges, South Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Hodges, South Carolina, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through Greenwood County's planning department, as Hodges falls under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal regulations. Contact Greenwood County at (864) 942-8500 to verify that short-term rentals are permitted in your specific zone and obtain any required business licenses or permits, which typically cost around $50-100 annually. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings through companies like Coldwell Banker or RE/MAX, focusing on homes near Lake Greenwood or historic downtown areas that attract tourists, with average property prices ranging from $80,000-200,000. Furnish the property with essential amenities including comfortable beds, linens, towels, kitchen supplies, WiFi, and local guidebooks, budgeting approximately $5,000-15,000 for initial furnishing depending on property size. Create your Airbnb listing with high-quality photos, detailed descriptions highlighting proximity to Lake Greenwood recreational activities and Hodges' small-town charm, and competitive pricing around $75-125 per night based on local market rates. For ongoing management, establish cleaning protocols between guests (hiring local services for $40-60 per turnover), maintain responsive communication with guests, handle bookings and calendar management, and ensure compliance with South Carolina's 7% sales tax on short-term rentals by registering with the Department of Revenue and filing monthly returns.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Hodges, South Carolina, focus on waterfront or near-water locations given the town's proximity to Lake Greenwood, as these command premium rates of $150-250 per night compared to $80-120 for inland properties. Target 3-4 bedroom homes with outdoor amenities like decks, fire pits, and boat access, as families and groups seeking lake recreation drive demand from April through October. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against similar properties within 10 miles, noting that lakefront properties typically achieve 65-75% occupancy during peak season. Research competition by monitoring active listings on Airbnb and VRBO within a 5-mile radius, identifying gaps in amenities or pricing strategies, particularly focusing on properties that offer boat rentals or fishing equipment. Utilize tools like Rabbu for market analysis, STR Helper for performance tracking, and connect with local property management companies like Vacasa or RedAwning who operate in the Lake Greenwood area to understand operational costs and guest preferences, while ensuring compliance with Greenwood County's short-term rental regulations and obtaining necessary permits through the county planning department.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Hodges, South Carolina, you must first contact the Greenwood County Planning and Zoning Department since Hodges falls under county jurisdiction, as the town itself has limited municipal services. Apply through the Greenwood County offices located at 528 Monument Street, Greenwood, SC 29646, or visit their website to download applications. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, site plan showing parking areas, septic system approval if applicable, fire safety inspection certificate, and liability insurance documentation with minimum $1 million coverage. The application fee is estimated at $150-250 with an additional $75-100 for inspections. You'll need to schedule inspections with the county building department and fire marshal, ensure compliance with zoning regulations (most residential areas allow STRs with proper permits), provide adequate parking spaces (typically 2 per unit), and maintain occupancy limits based on septic capacity and square footage. The approval timeline ranges from 4-8 weeks depending on inspection scheduling and any required corrections. Once approved, you must register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue for accommodations tax collection and remit monthly taxes, while also ensuring compliance with any HOA restrictions if applicable.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Hodges, South Carolina, as the small town in Greenwood County does not have specific municipal ordinances prohibiting or heavily regulating vacation rentals as of 2024. However, STR operators must comply with South Carolina state regulations including business license requirements, sales tax collection (10.5% state and local combined), and accommodations tax (2% state rate). Properties must meet basic safety and zoning requirements, with most residential areas allowing STRs unless specifically restricted by homeowners associations or deed restrictions. Given Hodges' rural nature and small population of approximately 150 residents, there are no designated prohibited areas or recent legal changes specifically targeting STRs, though operators should verify compliance with Greenwood County zoning ordinances and obtain proper permits. The town's proximity to Lake Greenwood makes it attractive for vacation rentals, and the relatively permissive regulatory environment reflects the area's tourism-friendly approach, though this could change as STR activity increases.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Hodges, South Carolina are primarily concentrated around Lake Greenwood and the downtown historic district. The Lake Greenwood area, particularly properties with waterfront access or lake views, attracts tourists year-round for fishing, boating, and water recreation, with peak seasons during summer months and fishing tournaments hosted by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The downtown Hodges area near Main Street offers charm for visitors seeking small-town experiences and serves as a convenient base for exploring nearby attractions like Ninety Six National Historic Site and the Richard B. Russell State Park. Properties near the Hodges Community Center and local event venues benefit from family reunions, wedding parties, and community gatherings throughout the year. The residential areas along Highway 178 provide easy access for business travelers working with local agricultural operations, timber companies like Rayonier, and manufacturing facilities in nearby Greenwood, while still offering the peaceful rural setting that attracts weekend getaway visitors from Columbia, Charleston, and Atlanta metropolitan areas.

Airbnb properties in Hodges, South Carolina are subject to South Carolina's 7% state accommodations tax, which applies to stays of less than 90 consecutive days, with the tax collected by the South Carolina Department of Revenue through their online system with monthly remittance required by the 20th of the following month. Greenwood County, where Hodges is located, imposes an additional 2% local accommodations tax, bringing the total to 9% on gross rental receipts. The state tax is automatically collected by Airbnb for hosts in South Carolina and remitted directly to the Department of Revenue, while the local county tax may require separate registration and remittance by the host depending on local collection agreements. Stays of 90 days or longer are exempt from accommodations taxes, and properties rented for less than 15 days per year by the owner may qualify for certain exemptions under federal tax rules, though state accommodations taxes would still apply to each individual stay under 90 days.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Hodges, South Carolina is approximately $185,000-$225,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in rural South Carolina markets. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and appliances. Initial setup costs $2,000-$3,000 covering professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations. Permits and fees total $500-$800 including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registration with Greenwood County. Insurance runs $1,200-$1,800 annually for short-term rental coverage. Utilities average $150-$200 monthly including electricity, water, internet, and cable. First six months operating costs reach $8,000-$10,000 covering utilities ($1,200), cleaning services ($2,400), Airbnb fees (3% of estimated $24,000 revenue), maintenance supplies ($800), marketing ($600), and contingency reserves ($2,000-$4,000).

Airbnb properties in Hodges, South Carolina, a small rural community in Greenwood County, typically generate modest returns due to limited tourism demand and lower nightly rates averaging $75-120 compared to coastal markets. Properties in this area generally achieve 30-45% occupancy rates annually, resulting in gross revenues of $8,000-18,000 per year for typical 2-3 bedroom homes. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), insurance ($1,200-1,800 annually), property management (20-25% of revenue), and maintenance typically consume 60-70% of gross revenue. Net profit margins range from 15-25% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts focusing on unique rural experiences like lake access properties near Lake Greenwood or farm stays that can command premium rates of $130-180 nightly. Properties within 10 miles of Lake Greenwood State Recreation Park perform better, with some hosts reporting annual net profits of $4,000-8,000 on properties valued at $150,000-250,000, yielding returns of 2-4% annually. Success factors include competitive pricing, exceptional cleanliness, rural charm marketing, and targeting fishing/hunting enthusiasts visiting the area, though the limited population base of approximately 1,200 residents constrains overall market potential compared to Charleston or Myrtle Beach markets.

Based on Hodges, South Carolina market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14% depending on property type and location within the area. Properties near Lake Wateree and recreational areas tend to perform at the higher end of this range, achieving 15-18% annual returns, while standard residential properties average 12-15%. Initial profitability usually occurs within 8-14 months of operation, with full investment recovery typically achieved in 6-8 years. The market benefits from consistent demand from lake visitors, corporate travelers to nearby Charlotte metro area, and seasonal tourism, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually and average daily rates between $85-$140 depending on property size and amenities.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Hodges, South Carolina. Local real estate agents in the area include Coldwell Banker Caine, Keller Williams Realty, and RE/MAX agents who understand the Lake Greenwood market where many Airbnb properties are located. National services like Mashvisor, AirDNA, and Rabbu provide market analysis and property identification tools for short-term rental investments in South Carolina markets. RedAwning and Vacasa offer property management services that can help investors maximize returns on Airbnb properties in the Hodges area. Local property management companies such as Greenwood Property Management and Lake Life Rentals specialize in vacation rental management around Lake Greenwood. Investment-focused real estate companies like Roofstock and Awning (now part of RedAwning) have historically helped investors find turnkey short-term rental properties in smaller South Carolina markets. Regional firms like Carolina One Real Estate and Century 21 Blackwell & Co. have agents experienced with investment properties in the greater Greenwood County area that includes Hodges.