Real Estate Investing in Ruffin, South Carolina (29475)

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

Colleton County • Population: 2,676 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 29475 (Ruffin, SC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (52/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

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

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 13.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Ruffin, SC (29475)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $204,353
Avg Monthly Rent $846
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $42,318
% Renters 14.8%

Market Analysis: 29475 Ruffin

This part of Colleton County is not an easy win. The 29475 ZIP registers softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

On the rental side, the numbers look inviting — $204K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 29475 is substantial and deserves full respect.

In the broader SC picture, 29475 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Stepping back, 2,676 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

The right play in 29475 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Ruffin:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 58/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $846/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 29475

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.2% cap rate
Best Overall Value
3BR
$64,510/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $193,531 $1,140 4.2% $64,510
4BR $291,359 $1,510 3.7% $72,840

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$216K$185K$155K$125K$95K$65KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 29475 Compare?

Metric 29475 Ruffin South Carolina
Home Value $204,353 $204,353 $299,690
5-Year CAGR 4.4% 4.4% 7.3%
Avg Rent $846 $846 -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 29475? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 29475 (Ruffin, SC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.4%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $204,353
Monthly Rent $846
Price-to-Rent 20.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.0%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 7.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). 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
13.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 29475

Population: 2,676

💰 Median Household Income
$42,318
This area
$42,318
State
$58,636
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.8%
This area
14.8%
State
26.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
State
-1.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.5%
This area
15.5%
State
14.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.5 years
This area
39.5 years
State
22.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.8%
This area
13.8%
State
17.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 59.3%
Black/African American 35.5%
Hispanic/Latino 5.2%
Other/Mixed 5.2%
👶 Under 18
19.3%
This area
19.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.7%
This area
24.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.3%
This area
5.3%
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 29475

B+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
14.6:1 Avg Class Size
$14,513 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Bells Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
278 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,513 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do experienced investors play Ruffin, SC?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Ruffin, SC. The numbers - $204K homes against $846/mo rents - support that play.

Is SC a landlord-friendly state?

Landlord-friendliness in Ruffin, SC is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Ruffin, SC?

Ruffin, SC vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Are tenants stable in Ruffin, SC?

Working renters make up the core of the Ruffin, SC tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

How much is rent in Ruffin, SC?

Ruffin, SC rentals go for roughly $846/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $204K acquisition costs.

You know 29475 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 29475 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.

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