Is Kershaw, South Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Kershaw, South Carolina, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Kershaw County Planning Department, as the town may require short-term rental permits or business licenses, with typical fees ranging $50-200 annually. Contact Kershaw Town Hall at (803) 475-8506 to verify specific requirements, as some residential areas may restrict short-term rentals or require conditional use permits. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings on Zillow or Realtor.com, focusing on homes near Lake Wateree or historic downtown areas, with average property prices around $150,000-300,000. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Lancaster County (since Kershaw spans counties), fire safety inspections if required, and ensure compliance with HOA restrictions if applicable. Furnish the property with essential amenities including Wi-Fi, linens, towels, kitchen supplies, and local guidebooks, budgeting approximately $5,000-15,000 for complete furnishing. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting proximity to Lake Wateree recreation, Camden's historic attractions, and easy access to Columbia (45 minutes away), setting competitive rates around $75-150 per night based on local market analysis. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, installing keyless entry systems, maintaining responsive communication with guests, and considering hiring local cleaning services like those found through Kershaw area Facebook groups or Thumbtack, while monitoring occupancy taxes that may apply at the county level.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Kershaw, South Carolina, focus on properties within 15-20 minutes of Lake Wateree and Camden Historic District, as these areas attract tourists and business travelers visiting nearby Fort Jackson and Columbia metro area. Target 3-4 bedroom homes built after 1990 with modern amenities, outdoor spaces, boat parking capabilities, and proximity to fishing/water activities, as properties near the lake can command $120-180 per night compared to $80-120 for inland properties. Analyze comparable STR rates using AirDNA and Mashvisor, examining seasonal demand patterns where summer months (May-September) typically see 20-30% higher occupancy due to lake activities and Fort Jackson graduations. Research competition by monitoring active Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 10-mile radius, noting that Kershaw currently has limited STR inventory creating opportunity for well-positioned properties. Utilize tools like Rabbu and PriceLabs for dynamic pricing, partner with local property management companies familiar with Kershaw County regulations, and leverage the South Carolina Association of Realtors MLS data to identify undervalued properties under $200,000 that can generate 12-18% annual returns after renovation and furnishing costs of $15,000-25,000.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Kershaw, South Carolina, you must first contact the Kershaw County Planning and Zoning Department at 1121 Broad Street, Camden, SC 29020, as the town likely falls under county jurisdiction for short-term rental regulations. Submit a completed short-term rental permit application along with a copy of your property deed, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage), floor plan of the rental property, septic system inspection certificate if applicable, and a $150-200 application fee. You'll also need to provide contact information for a local property manager if you live more than 50 miles away, obtain a business license from Lancaster County (approximately $50), and ensure the property meets all fire safety codes including smoke detectors in each bedroom and common areas. The review process typically takes 30-45 days, during which time a county inspector may visit the property to verify compliance with zoning requirements and safety standards. Once approved, the permit must be renewed annually for a fee of approximately $100-150, and you must display the permit number in all online listings and maintain a guest registry for inspection purposes.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Kershaw, South Carolina, as the town does not appear to have specific municipal ordinances prohibiting them as of 2024. However, operators must comply with South Carolina state regulations including business license requirements and tax obligations through the South Carolina Department of Revenue. Kershaw County may have zoning restrictions that limit STRs in certain residential areas, and properties must meet basic safety and health standards. The town likely requires STR operators to obtain proper business licenses and may have noise ordinances that affect rental operations. Recent trends in South Carolina show increasing local regulation of STRs, with some municipalities implementing registration requirements, occupancy limits, and parking restrictions, though Kershaw has not enacted comprehensive STR-specific legislation. Property owners should verify current zoning compliance and check with Kershaw town officials for any recent ordinance changes, as small municipalities in South Carolina have been increasingly addressing STR regulations since 2022-2023.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Kershaw, South Carolina include the historic downtown district near Main Street, which attracts visitors interested in the town's railroad heritage and antebellum architecture, and properties near the Kershaw County area that benefit from proximity to Camden's equestrian events and Revolutionary War historic sites just 15 minutes away. The residential neighborhoods along Highway 1 and near Kershaw Elementary offer good investment potential due to their accessibility and appeal to families visiting for youth sports tournaments and school events. Areas close to the Wateree River provide opportunities for guests seeking fishing and outdoor recreation, while properties within walking distance of local restaurants and the town center appeal to visitors exploring South Carolina's rural charm and those attending events at nearby venues like the Carolina Cup steeplechase races in Camden, which draws thousands of visitors annually and creates spillover demand for accommodations in surrounding communities like Kershaw.

Airbnb properties in Kershaw, 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 and remitted monthly to the South Carolina Department of Revenue by the 20th of the following month. Lancaster County, where Kershaw is located, imposes an additional 2% local accommodations tax, bringing the total accommodations tax to 9%, with the local portion also collected by hosts and remitted to Lancaster County on the same monthly schedule. Properties must also collect the state's 6% sales tax on the rental amount, which is remitted through the standard sales tax return process. Hosts are required to register for both accommodations tax and sales tax licenses before beginning operations, with accommodations tax registration costing approximately $50. Exemptions include stays exceeding 90 consecutive days, rentals to permanent residents, and certain government or charitable organization bookings, though documentation is required to substantiate exempt transactions.

To start an Airbnb in Kershaw, South Carolina, the total estimated costs would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in rural South Carolina markets. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property would cost $8,000-$12,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and appliances from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local furniture stores. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations would be $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registration would cost $300-$800 depending on local Kershaw County requirements. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage would cost $1,200-$2,000 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable would be $500-$800. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600-$900), cleaning supplies and services ($1,200-$1,800), maintenance ($800-$1,200), marketing ($300-$600), and platform fees to Airbnb and VRBO ($2,000-$3,000 assuming 40% occupancy) would total approximately $4,900-$7,500.

Airbnb properties in Kershaw, South Carolina typically generate modest profitability with average annual revenues ranging from $8,000-$15,000 for whole-home listings, primarily driven by the area's proximity to Camden's equestrian events and Lake Wateree recreational activities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($75-$100 per turnover), property management costs (15-25% if outsourced), utilities ($150-$200 monthly), insurance premiums ($800-$1,200 annually), and maintenance expenses averaging $1,500-$2,500 per year. Properties within 10 miles of Lake Wateree or historic Camden command premium rates of $80-$120 per night during peak seasons (spring equestrian season and summer lake activities), while standard properties average $60-$85 nightly. Success factors include strategic location near recreational amenities, professional photography showcasing outdoor access, competitive pricing during Carolina Cup events in April, and maintaining high cleanliness standards to achieve Superhost status. A typical 3-bedroom lake-adjacent property in nearby Camden generates approximately $18,000 annually with 65% occupancy, yielding net profits of $7,000-$9,000 after expenses, representing profit margins of 35-45% for well-managed properties in desirable locations.

Based on Kershaw, 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 near Lake Wateree and downtown Kershaw tend to perform at the higher end of this range, achieving 10-12% annual returns, while suburban properties average 8-10%. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months of operation, with full investment recovery typically achieved in 7-10 years. The market benefits from proximity to Charlotte (45 minutes) and Columbia (1 hour), attracting weekend visitors and business travelers, with average daily rates of $85-120 and occupancy rates of 55-70% annually. Properties requiring minimal renovation show faster profitability timelines of 12-18 months, while extensive rehabs may extend the break-even period to 24-36 months.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors in Kershaw, South Carolina. Local real estate agents serving the Kershaw area include Coldwell Banker Realty, RE/MAX, and Keller Williams agents who focus on investment properties. National services like BiggerPockets, Mashvisor, and AirDNA provide market analysis and property identification tools for the Kershaw market. Regional companies such as Carolina Investment Properties and Palmetto State Investors have experience with vacation rental acquisitions in South Carolina markets. Additional services include RedAwning for property management consultation, Awning for turnkey Airbnb investments, and local property management companies like Kershaw County Property Management and Lake Wateree Vacation Rentals who can provide insights on profitable rental properties. Real estate investment firms such as HomeVestors and We Buy Ugly Houses also operate in the Kershaw area and may have suitable properties for Airbnb conversion.