Is Little River, South Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Little River, South Carolina, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through Horry County planning department, as Little River falls under county jurisdiction rather than municipal control, and verify that short-term rentals are permitted in your chosen area since some residential zones may restrict commercial activities. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Horry County, register for state and local taxes with the South Carolina Department of Revenue, and ensure compliance with fire safety codes and health department requirements. Find a suitable property by searching areas near the Intracoastal Waterway, golf courses, or close to North Myrtle Beach attractions, considering properties that can accommodate 4-8 guests which perform well in this tourist market. Furnish the space with coastal-themed decor, essential amenities like high-speed internet, cable TV, full kitchen appliances, quality linens, and outdoor furniture to capitalize on the area's waterfront appeal. Create your listing on Airbnb and other platforms like VRBO, highlighting proximity to Little River's fishing charters, restaurants, and easy access to Myrtle Beach attractions, using professional photography and competitive pricing around $100-200 per night depending on size and season. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors, and consider using property management companies like Vacasa or RedAwning that operate in the Myrtle Beach area, while maintaining responsive communication with guests and monitoring local tourism patterns that peak during summer months and golf season.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Little River, South Carolina, focus on locations within 1-2 miles of the Intracoastal Waterway and close to popular attractions like Barefoot Landing, Alabama Theatre, and golf courses, while ensuring easy access to North Myrtle Beach's beaches. Target 3-4 bedroom properties with waterfront or water views, private pools, boat docks or water access, modern amenities, and outdoor entertainment spaces, as these command premium rates of $150-300 per night during peak season (May-September). Analyze comparable properties on Airbnb and VRBO within a 3-mile radius, studying their occupancy rates, seasonal pricing fluctuations, and guest reviews to identify gaps in the market, while using tools like AirDNA, Mashvisor, and Rabbu to assess revenue potential and market saturation. Research local competition by examining properties near Little River's waterfront districts, Sunset Beach access points, and golf communities, noting that successful properties typically achieve 60-75% occupancy rates and generate $40,000-80,000 annually. Utilize Little River-specific resources including the Horry County tourism data, local property management companies like Coastal Getaways and Beach Vacations, and monitor seasonal trends driven by fishing tournaments, golf seasons, and summer beach tourism to optimize investment timing and property selection.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Little River, South Carolina, you must first contact the Horry County Planning and Zoning Department since Little River falls under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal government. Begin by submitting an application for a Special Exception Use Permit through the Horry County Planning Department located at 1301 2nd Avenue in Conway, SC, or online through their permitting portal. Required documents include a completed application form, property deed or lease agreement, site plan showing parking and property layout, proof of property insurance, contact information for a local property manager if you're not local, and a $500 application fee payable to Horry County. You'll also need to obtain a business license from Horry County ($50 annually) and register for state and local taxes with the South Carolina Department of Revenue. The property must comply with zoning requirements (typically allowed in residential zones with restrictions), provide adequate parking (minimum 2 spaces), meet fire safety codes, and maintain septic system compliance if applicable. The review process typically takes 60-90 days and includes a public hearing before the Board of Zoning Appeals. Once approved, you must display the permit number in your listing, maintain a guest registry, provide 24/7 local contact information, limit occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, and ensure quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM. Annual renewal is required with a $100 fee, and properties are subject to periodic inspections to ensure ongoing compliance with health, safety, and zoning requirements.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Little River, South Carolina, as the area falls under Horry County jurisdiction, which permits vacation rentals with proper licensing and compliance requirements. Property owners must obtain a business license from Horry County and register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue for tax collection purposes. The county requires STR operators to maintain liability insurance, provide emergency contact information, and ensure properties meet safety standards including smoke detectors and occupancy limits. Recent changes around 2019-2021 have strengthened enforcement mechanisms and increased penalties for non-compliance, while some residential neighborhoods may have HOA restrictions that limit or prohibit short-term rentals. The coastal location of Little River makes it particularly attractive for vacation rentals, and the county has generally maintained a business-friendly approach while implementing reasonable regulations to address noise complaints and parking issues that can arise in residential areas.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Little River, South Carolina include the Intracoastal Waterway corridor along Highway 17, which attracts boaters and fishing enthusiasts year-round, particularly near marinas like Hague Marina and Osprey Marina. The Little River waterfront district near the historic fishing village offers strong rental potential due to its proximity to seafood restaurants, charter fishing operations, and the annual Blue Crab Festival that draws thousands of visitors each May. Properties near Myrtle Beach State Park's northern boundary benefit from overflow tourism seeking quieter accommodations while maintaining easy access to Myrtle Beach attractions just 20 minutes south. The residential areas around Little River Country Club appeal to golf tourists, especially during peak season from March through October when multiple championship courses in the greater Myrtle Beach area host tournaments. Additionally, properties within walking distance of the Little River Casino Resort capture both gaming tourists and business travelers attending conferences, while the developing areas near Highway 9 intersection provide good value investments as North Myrtle Beach continues expanding northward, creating spillover demand for vacation rentals in this more affordable coastal community.

In Little River, South Carolina, Airbnb properties are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The South Carolina state accommodations tax is 2% of gross rental receipts, while Horry County imposes an additional accommodations tax of 3%, bringing the total to approximately 5%. These taxes apply to rentals of less than 90 consecutive days and are collected from guests at the time of booking. Airbnb typically collects and remits these taxes automatically for hosts through their platform, though individual hosts may need to register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue and Horry County if they collect taxes independently. The taxes are generally remitted monthly or quarterly depending on the volume of rentals. Properties rented for 90 days or more to the same guest are typically exempt from accommodations taxes, as are rentals to permanent residents. Hosts should also be aware that gross rental income may be subject to standard state sales tax of 6% plus applicable local sales taxes, though this varies based on specific circumstances and local ordinances in the Little River area.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Little River, South Carolina is approximately $285,000-$350,000. Property purchase costs around $220,000-$280,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $15,000-$25,000 for quality furniture, appliances, linens, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials total $1,500-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees range from $500-$1,200 annually. Insurance specifically for short-term rentals costs $2,000-$3,500 per year, significantly higher than standard homeowner's insurance. Monthly utilities including electricity, water, internet, cable, and trash service average $200-$350 per month. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($1,200-$2,100), cleaning services ($1,800-$3,000), maintenance and repairs ($1,000-$2,000), property management software ($300-$600), and marketing ($500-$1,000) total approximately $4,800-$8,700. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees ($100-$300 monthly), property taxes ($2,200-$2,800 annually), and a recommended cash reserve of $10,000-$15,000 for unexpected expenses and vacancy periods.

Airbnb properties in Little River, South Carolina typically generate annual revenues between $25,000-$45,000 for well-positioned properties, with average daily rates ranging from $85-$150 depending on proximity to the beach and property amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($50-$75 per turnover), property management (15-25% of revenue), utilities ($200-$400 monthly), insurance ($1,500-$3,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $3,000-$5,000 yearly. Properties within 0.5 miles of Little River's waterfront and those featuring pools, hot tubs, or boat access command premium rates and achieve 65-75% occupancy during peak season (May-September), resulting in net profit margins of 25-35%. Success factors include strategic pricing during fishing tournaments and summer beach season, professional photography showcasing water access, and partnerships with local fishing charter companies. A typical 3-bedroom waterfront property purchased for $300,000 can generate approximately $35,000 in annual revenue with $22,000 in expenses, yielding a 13% return on investment, while inland properties show more modest returns of 8-10% due to lower demand and pricing power in this coastal vacation rental market.

Based on Little River, South Carolina market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-15% depending on property type and location proximity to the beach. Properties within 1-2 miles of Little River Inlet and Cherry Grove Beach command premium rates of $150-250 per night during peak summer months (June-August) and $80-120 during shoulder seasons, while inland properties average $100-180 and $60-90 respectively. Initial investment recovery typically occurs within 6-8 years for beachfront properties and 8-12 years for inland locations, with most investors reaching profitability within 18-24 months after accounting for mortgage payments, property management fees (typically 20-25%), maintenance, and local occupancy taxes. The market benefits from year-round tourism due to mild winters and proximity to Myrtle Beach attractions, with average occupancy rates of 65-75% annually, though properties require higher insurance costs due to coastal location and potential hurricane exposure which can impact overall returns by 2-3 percentage points.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors in Little River, South Carolina. Local real estate agents like Myrtle Beach Realty Group, Century 21 The Harrelson Group, and RE/MAX Southern Shores have extensive experience with vacation rental properties in the Little River area since around 2015-2018. National services include Mashvisor, which provides Airbnb analytics and property search tools, AirDNA for market data analysis, and Awning for full-service Airbnb property management and acquisition assistance. Regional companies such as Grand Strand Property Management and Coastal Carolina Real Estate have been helping investors identify profitable vacation rental opportunities along the South Carolina coast since approximately 2016-2019. Additional services include BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing, Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, and local firms like Little River Real Estate and North Myrtle Beach Realty that understand the specific vacation rental market dynamics in this coastal community near the North Carolina border.