Is Six Mile, South Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Six Mile, South Carolina, begin by researching local regulations through Pickens County and the Town of Six Mile, as most South Carolina municipalities require short-term rental permits and business licenses, with Six Mile likely requiring registration with the town clerk and adherence to zoning ordinances that typically allow short-term rentals in residential areas with proper permits. Obtain necessary permits including a South Carolina business license ($110 annually), local business license from Six Mile (approximately $50-100), and short-term rental permit if required, plus ensure compliance with fire safety codes and occupancy limits. Find a suitable property by researching the local market where median home prices range around $150,000-250,000, focusing on areas near Table Rock State Park or downtown Pickens for tourist appeal, considering properties with 2-3 bedrooms that can accommodate families visiting nearby attractions. Furnish the property with essential amenities including quality mattresses, linens, kitchen appliances, WiFi, and local guidebooks, budgeting approximately $5,000-10,000 for complete furnishing depending on property size. List your property on Airbnb and VRBO platforms with professional photography highlighting proximity to Blue Ridge Mountains and local attractions, setting competitive rates based on comparable properties in the area (typically $75-150 per night). Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating key exchanges or installing smart locks, maintaining the property regularly, and keeping detailed records for tax purposes while collecting and remitting South Carolina's 7% sales tax and any applicable local accommodation taxes.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Six Mile, South Carolina, focus on properties within 15-20 minutes of Lake Keowee and Clemson University, as these drive primary demand from lake visitors and university-related travelers. Target 3-4 bedroom homes with lake access, boat docks, or scenic views, built after 1990 with modern amenities like updated kitchens, WiFi capability, and outdoor spaces including decks or fire pits. Pricing analysis should benchmark against similar properties in nearby Seneca and Clemson, typically ranging $150-300 per night depending on lake proximity and amenities, with peak seasons during Clemson football games and summer lake season. Research competition using AirDNA and Mashvisor to analyze occupancy rates and revenue potential, while monitoring existing STRs within a 5-mile radius to identify gaps in amenities or pricing. Utilize tools like Rabbu and AirDNA for market analysis, Zillow and Realtor.com for property searches, and connect with local real estate agents familiar with Pickens County lake properties, while ensuring compliance with Pickens County short-term rental regulations and HOA restrictions in lakefront communities.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Six Mile, South Carolina, you must first contact the Pickens County Planning and Development Department since Six Mile is an unincorporated community within Pickens County. Apply at the Pickens County Administration Building located at 222 McDaniel Avenue, Pickens, SC 29671, or submit applications online through their permitting portal. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application, property deed or lease agreement, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, proof of liability insurance ($1 million minimum), septic system inspection if applicable, fire safety inspection certificate, and a $150-200 application fee. You'll also need to register for business license with South Carolina Department of Revenue and obtain a state sales tax license. The approval timeline is generally 30-45 days after submitting complete documentation. Specific Six Mile/Pickens County requirements include maximum occupancy limits based on septic capacity (typically 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional), parking requirements (1 space per bedroom), noise ordinance compliance with quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, and annual renewal with $75-100 fee. Properties must meet all building codes, have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and maintain a local contact person available 24/7 within 30 minutes of the property.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Six Mile, South Carolina are generally legal but subject to state and local regulations. As an unincorporated community in Pickens County, Six Mile falls under county jurisdiction rather than municipal ordinances. Pickens County typically allows STRs in residential areas but may require business licenses, tax registration, and compliance with zoning regulations. Property owners must collect and remit state accommodations taxes (currently around 2%) and local hospitality taxes where applicable. The county may impose restrictions on occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances to address neighborhood concerns. Recent trends across South Carolina have seen increased regulation of STRs, with some counties implementing registration requirements and safety standards including smoke detectors and emergency contact information. Properties in residential neighborhoods may face additional scrutiny regarding commercial use in residential zones, and homeowners associations may have their own restrictions. While no specific prohibited areas exist in Six Mile itself, operators should verify current Pickens County regulations and obtain proper permits before operating, as enforcement has become more stringent statewide since 2020-2022 following growth in the STR market.

The most promising areas for Airbnb investment in Six Mile, South Carolina include properties near Table Rock State Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains foothills, which attract outdoor enthusiasts year-round for hiking, camping, and scenic tourism, particularly during peak fall foliage season from September to November. The downtown Six Mile area along Highway 11 (Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway) offers excellent potential due to its proximity to multiple state parks, wineries, and the growing agritourism sector, drawing visitors exploring the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway corridor. Properties within 10-15 minutes of Clemson University (approximately 20 miles away) capture overflow demand during football season, graduation weekends, and academic conferences when campus accommodations are saturated. The area near Lake Robinson and surrounding recreational facilities provides strong summer rental potential for families and groups seeking lakefront activities and water sports. Additionally, locations close to BMW Manufacturing's Spartanburg plant (within 45 minutes) can attract business travelers, contractors, and relocated employees needing temporary housing, while the proximity to Greenville's growing business district expands the potential guest base for weekend getaways and corporate retreats seeking rural settings with urban accessibility.

Airbnb properties in Six Mile, South Carolina are subject to South Carolina state accommodations tax of 2% on gross rental receipts, which is collected by the South Carolina Department of Revenue and must be remitted monthly by hosts who exceed $1,200 in annual rental income. Pickens County imposes an additional 3% accommodations tax that applies to short-term rentals under 90 days, bringing the total tax rate to approximately 5%. The state tax is typically collected directly by Airbnb through their platform for participating hosts and remitted to the South Carolina Department of Revenue, while county taxes may need to be collected and remitted directly by property owners to Pickens County on a monthly basis by the 20th of the following month. Exemptions generally apply to rentals of 90 days or longer, rentals to permanent residents, and properties rented for less than 15 days per year with gross receipts under $1,200 annually, though hosts must register with both state and county tax authorities and obtain the necessary licenses before operating short-term rentals in the area.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Six Mile, South Carolina is approximately $185,000-$225,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in rural Pickens County areas. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for beds, sofas, dining sets, appliances, linens, and décor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs include $1,500-$2,500 for professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations or repairs. Permits and fees total approximately $500-$800 covering business licenses, short-term rental permits from Pickens County, and tax registrations. Insurance runs $1,200-$1,800 annually for short-term rental coverage beyond standard homeowner's policies. Utilities average $150-$200 monthly including electricity, water, internet, cable, and trash service. First six months operating costs reach $8,000-$12,000 covering utilities ($900-$1,200), cleaning services ($1,800-$2,400), supplies and maintenance ($1,500-$2,000), platform fees to Airbnb and VRBO ($2,000-$3,000), marketing ($500-$1,000), and property management software ($300-$500). Additional considerations include potential HOA fees, landscaping maintenance, and emergency repair funds for this rural Upstate South Carolina location near Table Rock State Park.

Airbnb properties in Six Mile, South Carolina typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for whole-home listings, with average daily rates ranging from $80-$150 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($30-50 per turnover), property management (15-25% if outsourced), utilities ($150-300 monthly), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-4,000 yearly. Properties within 20 minutes of Clemson University command premium rates during football season and graduation periods, with some hosts reporting 70-85% occupancy rates and profit margins of 25-40%. Success factors include proximity to Lake Keowee recreational activities, modern amenities like hot tubs or fire pits, and professional photography showcasing mountain views. A typical 3-bedroom cabin near the lake might gross $28,000 annually with $16,000 in expenses, yielding $12,000 profit (43% margin), while smaller properties closer to town average 20-30% margins due to lower nightly rates but steadier occupancy from business travelers and university visitors.

Based on Six Mile, South Carolina market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14%. Properties in this rural Pickens County area, located near popular destinations like Table Rock State Park and Caesars Head, can achieve profitability within 18-24 months due to lower property acquisition costs ($150,000-$250,000 average) and steady tourism demand from outdoor enthusiasts visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains. Seasonal occupancy rates average 65-75% with nightly rates of $120-$180, while operating expenses including cleaning, maintenance, and property management typically consume 35-45% of gross rental income. The proximity to Greenville (30 minutes) and attractions like Paris Mountain State Park creates consistent demand, though investors should expect higher returns during peak fall foliage and summer hiking seasons, with winter months showing 40-50% lower occupancy rates.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Six Mile, South Carolina. Local real estate agents in the Greenville-Pickens area who focus on investment properties include Keller Williams agents specializing in vacation rentals, RE/MAX agents with STR experience, and Coldwell Banker professionals who understand the Airbnb market dynamics in the Blue Ridge Mountains region. National services like Mashvisor, BiggerPockets, and AirDNA provide market analysis and property identification tools for the Six Mile area, while companies such as RedAwning, Vacasa, and AvantStay offer property management services that can help investors identify profitable opportunities. Local property management companies like Blue Ridge Mountain Rentals and Upstate SC Vacation Rentals have expertise in the Six Mile market and often work with investors to find suitable properties. Additional services include STR financing specialists like Visio Lending and Lima One Capital who understand the vacation rental investment market in South Carolina, and platforms like Roofstock and Arrived Homes that occasionally feature properties in the greater Pickens County area suitable for short-term rental conversion.