Real Estate Investing in Waterloo, South Carolina (29384)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Laurens County • Population: 3,440 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 29384 (Waterloo, SC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (39/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 35.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -2.5% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 6.1% in the last year.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Waterloo, SC (29384)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $184,643
Avg Monthly Rent $837
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $50,364
% Renters 16.9%

Market Analysis: 29384 Waterloo

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Waterloo's 29384 ZIP comes in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $185K pricing implies.

In practical terms, the numbers look inviting — $185K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 29384 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Statewide comparisons place 29384 among SC's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Demographically, 29384 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

The 29384 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Waterloo:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 47/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-6.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $837/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Greenville-Anderson, SC Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
59 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.9%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Greenville-Anderson, SC metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 29384

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$94,828/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $211,714 $930 3.2% $105,857
3BR $284,483 $1,120 2.8% +9.9% $94,828

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$276K$237K$199K$161K$123K$85KAug 2009Feb 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 29384 Compare?

Metric 29384 Waterloo Greenville-Anderson, SC South Carolina
Home Value $184,643 $184,643 N/A $299,690
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $837 $837 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.5% - -
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 29384 (Waterloo, SC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 29384 (Waterloo, SC)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
-2.5%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $184,643
Monthly Rent $837
Price-to-Rent 18.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.4%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 1.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -6.1% ▼
3-Year CAGR -8.7% ▼
5-Year CAGR -2.5% ▼
10-Year CAGR +2.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
35.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-2.5%
Declining
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 29384

Population: 3,440

💰 Median Household Income
$50,364
This area
$50,364
State
$58,636
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.9%
This area
16.9%
State
26.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
-1.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.2%
This area
16.2%
State
14.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
50.1 years
This area
50.1 years
State
22.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
35.8%
This area
35.8%
State
17.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 76.2%
Black/African American 16.8%
Other/Mixed 6.5%
Hispanic/Latino 4.8%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
15.9%
This area
15.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.9%
This area
21.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
17.0%
This area
17.0%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 29384

B+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
9.9:1 Avg Class Size
$13,649 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Waterloo Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
257 Students
👨‍🏫
9.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,649 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

3 Nearby 2,003 Off-Campus Students
C
Charzanne Beauty College
32 students · 9.2 mi
C
Piedmont Technical College
4,999 students · 9.3 mi
C+
Lander University
4,363 students · 10.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,003 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do landlords charge for rent in Waterloo, SC?

Expect rents around $837/mo per month in Waterloo, SC. With home values at $185K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Waterloo, SC?

Typical homes in Waterloo, SC go for around $185K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% predictable price movement.

What kind of market is Waterloo, SC for investors?

Investors tracking Waterloo, SC will find a 2.0/5 rating supported by $185K median home values and $837/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting steady returns.

Is the tenant base reliable in Waterloo, SC?

Tenant demand in Waterloo, SC is solid. The local workforce $837/mo rents across most rental classes.

How tight is the rental market in Waterloo, SC?

Waterloo, SC carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect stable absorption at market rents of $837/mo.

You know 29384 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 29384 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

Compare Plans

How 29384 ranks in Greenville-Anderson, SC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 29384 (Waterloo)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 29384 (Waterloo, SC).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.