Real Estate Investing in Walterboro, South Carolina (29488)

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

Colleton County • Population: 22,367 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 29488 (Walterboro, SC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (58/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Walterboro, SC (29488)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $216,762
Avg Monthly Rent $810
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $46,170
% Renters 33.7%

Market Analysis: 29488 Walterboro

Investors eyeing 29488 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $217K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Turning to rents, the numbers look inviting — $217K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 29488 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Nearby ZIPs in Walterboro have seen price recovery that 29488 has not matched. Colleton County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Who lives in 29488 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

The right play in 29488 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 Walterboro:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.7× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $810/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 29488

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$70,382/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $143,476 $900 4.5% +6.9% $71,738
3BR $211,147 $1,080 3.7% +7.5% $70,382
4BR $303,641 $1,470 3.5% +6.9% $75,910
5BR $423,778 $84,756

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$228K$198K$168K$138K$108K$77KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 29488 Compare?

Metric 29488 Walterboro South Carolina
Home Value $216,762 $216,762 $299,690
5-Year CAGR 5.1% 5.1% 7.3%
Avg Rent $810 $810 -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 29488? 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 29488 (Walterboro, SC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.1%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $216,762
Monthly Rent $810
Price-to-Rent 22.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 8.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
9.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.1%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 29488

Population: 22,367

💰 Median Household Income
$46,170
This area
$46,170
State
$58,636
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
33.7%
This area
33.7%
State
26.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
6.6%
This area
6.6%
State
-1.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.4%
This area
16.4%
State
14.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.3 years
This area
40.3 years
State
22.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.9%
This area
9.9%
State
17.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 56.8%
Black/African American 38.6%
Other/Mixed 3.8%
Hispanic/Latino 2.0%
Asian 0.8%
👶 Under 18
22.0%
This area
22.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.0%
This area
19.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
15.2%
This area
15.2%
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 29488

B+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
15.5:1 Avg Class Size
$14,513 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Forest Hills Elementary

📚 01 – 05 Elementary
👥
463 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,513 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Black Street Early Childhood Center

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary
👥
328 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,513 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Hendersonville Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
324 Students
👨‍🏫
16.2:1 Class Size
💰
$14,513 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Northside Elementary

📚 01 – 05 Elementary
👥
443 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,513 Per Student
B Good

Colleton County High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,396 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$14,513 Per Student
B Good

Colleton County Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
1,070 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$14,513 Per Student
C+ Average

Thunderbolt Career and Technology Center

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$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

What kind of market is Walterboro, SC for investors?

Investors tracking Walterboro, SC will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $217K median home values and $810/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting steady returns.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Walterboro, SC?

Vacancy risk in Walterboro, SC is elevated. That supports reliable cash flow for typical rental holds.

How strong is tenant demand in Walterboro, SC?

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

What is it like being a landlord in Walterboro, SC?

SC law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Walterboro inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

What investment strategy works best in Walterboro, SC?

In Walterboro, SC the notable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $217K prices and $810/mo rents suits that approach.

You know 29488 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 29488 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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