Real Estate Investing in Lyman, South Carolina (29385)

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

Spartanburg County • Population: 7,809 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 29385 (Lyman, SC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (62/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Lyman, SC (29385)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $281,284
Avg Monthly Rent $1,619
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $53,428
% Renters 30.0%

Market Analysis: 29385 Lyman

ZIP 29385 inside Spartanburg County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $281K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $281K asset, 29385 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In practical terms, 29385 offers a low basis, the region around Lyman has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

A substantial renter share of 30% in 29385 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Lyman:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,619/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Spartanburg, SC Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
63 days
Average time to sell
Slow
10.6%
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 Spartanburg, SC metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 29385

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$73,769/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $147,537 $1,180 5.8% +10.4% $73,769
3BR $257,245 $1,430 4.0% +8.9% $85,748
4BR $332,884 $1,650 3.6% +8.1% $83,221

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$298K$256K$215K$174K$133K$92KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,661$1,615$1,568$1,522$1,475$1,429Feb 2026May 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 29385 Compare?

Metric 29385 Lyman Spartanburg, SC South Carolina
Home Value $281,284 $295,464 N/A $299,690
5-Year CAGR 6.7% 6.2% N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $1,619 $1,640 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.5% 4.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 29385? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 29385 (Lyman, SC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 29385 (Lyman, SC)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.7%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Spartanburg, SC metro

3/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
58%
Days Pending
2/2
63 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $281,284
Monthly Rent $1,619
Price-to-Rent 14.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.9%
Cap Rate 4.5%
5-Year IRR 11.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.5%). 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
9.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.7%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 29385

Population: 7,809

💰 Median Household Income
$53,428
This area
$53,428
State
$58,636
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.0%
This area
30.0%
State
26.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-1.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.7%
This area
17.7%
State
14.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.5 years
This area
34.5 years
State
22.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.1%
This area
9.1%
State
17.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 64.7%
Black/African American 23.1%
Other/Mixed 9.3%
Hispanic/Latino 5.3%
Asian 3.0%
👶 Under 18
31.2%
This area
31.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.5%
This area
16.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.4%
This area
8.4%
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 29385

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
11.1:1 Avg Class Size
$16,243 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Wellford Academy of Science and Technology

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
496 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,243 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

8 Nearby 2,510 Off-Campus Students
C
Spartanburg Community College
6,330 students · 6.4 mi
D
Sherman College of Chiropractic
381 students · 7.1 mi
C
Spartanburg Methodist College
1,029 students · 7.6 mi
C+
University of South Carolina-Upstate
4,946 students · 7.6 mi
C
Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Spartanburg
132 students · 8.2 mi
B
Wofford College
1,873 students · 9.6 mi
C
Converse University
1,341 students · 10.5 mi
C
Academy of Hair Technology
95 students · 14.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,510 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong are rents in Lyman, SC?

The typical rental in Lyman, SC commands about $1,619/mo monthly. That rent profile even-keeled cash flow against the $281K purchase basis.

How strict are landlord regulations in Lyman, SC?

Lyman, SC operates under SC law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect measured treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

Is vacancy a concern in Lyman, SC?

Rental vacancy in Lyman, SC is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

Which real estate strategy fits Lyman, SC?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Lyman, SC. The numbers - $281K homes against $1,619/mo rents - support that play.

How does Lyman, SC rate as a rental market?

Lyman, SC rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $281K and rents near $1,619/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

You know 29385 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 29385 ranks in Spartanburg, SC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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