Is Taylors, South Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Taylors, South Carolina, begin by researching Greenville County's zoning regulations and homeowners association rules, as Taylors falls under county jurisdiction and many neighborhoods have HOA restrictions on short-term rentals. Contact Greenville County Planning Department to verify your property is zoned for short-term rentals and obtain necessary permits, which typically include a business license ($50-100 annually) and may require a special use permit depending on your zone. Find a suitable property by analyzing local market demand through AirDNA or similar platforms, focusing on areas near Greenville-Spartanburg Airport, BMW manufacturing plant, or downtown Greenville (20 minutes away), with average nightly rates ranging $80-150. Purchase or lease a property considering proximity to major employers like Michelin, BMW, and Fluor Corporation, then furnish it with quality basics including comfortable beds, full kitchen amenities, high-speed internet, and local guidebooks highlighting nearby attractions like Falls Park and Paris Mountain State Park. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos, competitive pricing based on comparable properties in Greer and Greenville, and highlight proximity to business centers and outdoor activities. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, installing keyless entry systems, maintaining responsive communication with guests, and consider hiring local property management companies like RedAwning or Vacasa if you live out of area, while ensuring compliance with South Carolina's 7% sales tax and any applicable local accommodation taxes.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Taylors, South Carolina, focus on locations within 15-20 minutes of downtown Greenville and near major attractions like Paris Mountain State Park, BMW Zentrum, and Furman University, as these drive consistent demand from business travelers and tourists. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or townhomes built after 1990 with modern amenities, outdoor spaces, and parking, as families and groups prefer these features when visiting the Greenville area. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties where nightly rates of $120-180 can generate 60-70% occupancy rates, ensuring gross rental yields exceed 8-10% annually. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 3-mile radius, identifying gaps in amenities or underserved price points, while monitoring seasonal demand patterns driven by Furman University events, BMW plant activities, and summer tourism to Paris Mountain. Utilize tools like Rabbu, PriceLabs for dynamic pricing, and local MLS data through Greenville Board of Realtors to identify properties under $300,000 in neighborhoods like Greer Station, Wade Hampton corridor, or near Travelers Rest, while partnering with local property managers familiar with Greenville County STR regulations and tax requirements.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Taylors, South Carolina, you must first apply through Greenville County since Taylors is an unincorporated community within the county jurisdiction. Contact the Greenville County Planning and Development Department at 301 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601, or apply 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, parking plan, contact information for a local responsible party within 30 minutes of the property, and proof of liability insurance with minimum $1 million coverage. You'll also need a business license from Greenville County, which costs approximately $50-75 annually, plus the STR permit fee of around $200-300. The application process generally takes 30-45 days for review and approval. Specific Taylors/Greenville County requirements include maintaining occupancy limits based on bedrooms and square footage, providing adequate parking (typically 2 spaces minimum), ensuring the property meets all building and fire codes, having working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, posting the permit number in all advertisements, and maintaining a complaint log. Properties must also comply with noise ordinances and cannot be used for events or parties exceeding the stated occupancy limit.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Taylors, South Carolina operate under Greenville County's jurisdiction, where they are generally legal but subject to specific regulations implemented around 2020-2021. The county requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning restrictions that typically prohibit STRs in certain residential areas, particularly R-6 and R-10 zoning districts, while allowing them in commercial and some mixed-use zones. Properties must meet safety requirements including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and occupancy limits, with parking requirements of at least two spaces per unit. Recent changes have included stricter enforcement of noise ordinances, mandatory registration with the county, and enhanced penalties for violations, with some neighborhoods in Taylors seeing increased scrutiny due to resident complaints about party houses and parking issues. The county has also implemented a complaint-driven enforcement system and requires STR operators to provide 24/7 contact information for guests and neighbors.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Taylors, South Carolina include the neighborhoods near Greer City Park and downtown Greer (adjacent to Taylors), which attract visitors due to proximity to BMW Manufacturing plant bringing consistent business travel, and the areas around Paris Mountain State Park which draw outdoor enthusiasts and families seeking recreational activities. The districts close to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport are highly attractive for short-term stays due to flight crew layovers and travelers needing convenient airport access. Neighborhoods near Furman University benefit from visiting families, prospective students, and academic conference attendees throughout the year. The residential areas around Eastside High School and along Wade Hampton Boulevard offer good investment potential due to their central location providing easy access to both Greenville's downtown attractions and Spartanburg's business district, making them appealing to tourists exploring the greater Greenville area, business travelers, and visitors attending events at venues like Bon Secours Wellness Arena and Peace Center.

Airbnb properties in Taylors, South Carolina are subject to South Carolina state accommodations tax of 7% on gross rental receipts, which applies to all short-term rentals under 90 days and is collected by the host and remitted monthly to the South Carolina Department of Revenue by the 20th of the following month. Greenville County imposes an additional 2% accommodations tax, bringing the total to 9%, with the county portion also collected by hosts and remitted to Greenville County on the same monthly schedule. The City of Greer, which encompasses parts of the Taylors area, may impose an additional 1-2% local accommodations tax depending on the specific location, making the potential total tax rate 10-11%. Hosts must register with both state and local tax authorities, obtain tax identification numbers, and file returns even if no rentals occurred during the reporting period. Exemptions typically apply to rentals exceeding 90 consecutive days, rentals to permanent residents, and properties rented for less than 15 days per year by the owner, though hosts should verify current exemption criteria as regulations have evolved since 2019 when South Carolina began requiring platforms like Airbnb to collect and remit these taxes on behalf of hosts in many jurisdictions.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Taylors, South Carolina is approximately $285,000-$315,000. Property purchase costs around $220,000 based on median home prices in the Greenville County area where Taylors is located. Furnishing a 3-bedroom property runs $15,000-$25,000 including beds, sofas, dining sets, appliances, linens, and decor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local furniture stores. Initial setup costs $3,000-$5,000 covering professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations. Permits and fees total $1,500-$2,500 including business license, short-term rental permit from Greenville County, tax registration, and potential HOA approvals. Insurance costs $2,000-$3,000 annually for short-term rental coverage through companies like Proper Insurance or CBIZ. Utilities average $200-$300 monthly including electricity, water, internet, cable, and trash service. First six months operating costs reach $8,000-$12,000 covering utilities ($1,800), cleaning services ($2,400), supplies and maintenance ($2,000), Airbnb host fees (3% of bookings), marketing, and emergency repairs, assuming 60-70% occupancy rates typical for the Greenville-Spartanburg tourism market.

Airbnb properties in Taylors, South Carolina typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for entire home listings, with average daily rates ranging from $85-$150 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($50-$80 per turnover), property management (15-25% of revenue), utilities ($150-$300 monthly), insurance ($1,200-$2,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-$4,000 yearly. Properties within 15 miles of downtown Greenville command premium rates, with successful hosts like those operating 3-bedroom homes near Paris Mountain State Park achieving 70-80% occupancy rates and net profit margins of 25-35%. Key success factors include professional photography, rapid guest communication, proximity to Greenville's business district and BMW Manufacturing, and targeting corporate travelers and weekend tourists visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains. Properties with hot tubs, fire pits, or mountain views typically achieve 15-20% higher revenues, while those lacking these amenities or located further from major attractions often struggle with occupancy rates below 50% and profit margins under 15%.

Airbnb investments in Taylors, South Carolina typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, based on the area's proximity to Greenville and growing tourism market. Properties in Taylors generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with average daily rates of $85-120 and occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. The market benefits from corporate travelers visiting nearby BMW Manufacturing, Michelin, and other Upstate businesses, plus leisure visitors exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains region. Initial investment costs average $180,000-280,000 for suitable properties, with monthly operating expenses typically running 25-35% of gross rental income. The timeframe to break-even on initial investment usually occurs within 2-3 years, assuming consistent marketing efforts and property maintenance, with stronger performance during spring and fall seasons when outdoor activities and corporate events peak in the greater Greenville area.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Taylors, South Carolina, using data analytics to evaluate potential returns. Local real estate agents specializing in Airbnb investments in the Taylors area include Keller Williams Greer, RE/MAX Moves in nearby Greer, and Coldwell Banker Caine in Greenville who serve the greater Greenville County market including Taylors. National services like Awning (founded 2017), RedAwning, and Mashvisor provide market analysis and property management solutions for Airbnb investors in the region. AirDNA offers comprehensive short-term rental data and market insights for the Taylors market, while companies like Vacasa and AvantStay provide full-service property management for investors. Local property management companies such as Upstate Property Management and Greenville-based STR managers like Carolina Coastal Vacations extend services to the Taylors area. Investment-focused real estate companies including Roofstock and Arrived Homes occasionally feature properties in the greater Greenville market, and platforms like BiggerPockets connect investors with local professionals experienced in short-term rental investments throughout South Carolina's Upstate region.