Real Estate Investing in Saint Helena Island, South Carolina (29920)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 29920 (Saint Helena Island, SC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 38.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 33.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Saint Helena Island, SC (29920)?
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Market Analysis: 29920 Saint Helena Island
On the rental side, ZIP 29920 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $601K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
Rent of $1,476/mo on a $601K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 29920 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
In the broader SC picture, 29920 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.
Stepping back, 9,918 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.
trends toward 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Saint Helena Island:
Property Strategy for 29920
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $371,812 | $1,490 | 2.9% | +9.1% | $371,812 |
| 2BR | $407,520 | $1,640 | 2.9% | +10.8% | $203,760 |
| 3BR | $622,772 | $1,980 | 2.3% | +13.3% | $207,591 |
| 4BR | $919,598 | $2,530 | 2.0% | +13.4% | $229,899 |
| 5BR | $1,292,412 | — | — | +14.0% | $258,482 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 29920 Compare?
| Metric | 29920 | Saint Helena Island | Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $600,535 | $600,535 | N/A | $299,690 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 9.1% | 9.1% | N/A | 7.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,476 | $1,476 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.9% | 1.9% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 29920 (Saint Helena Island, SC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $600,535 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,476 |
| Price-to-Rent | 33.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.0% |
| Cap Rate | 1.9% |
| 5-Year IRR | 11.0% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +2.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +9.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.9%). 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.
Demographics in 29920
Population: 9,918
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 29920
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Investor Insight: With 904 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is Saint Helena Island, SC for real estate investors?
Saint Helena Island, SC scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $601K and rents near $1,476/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.
Which real estate strategy fits Saint Helena Island, SC?
The best-fit strategy in Saint Helena Island, SC is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.
What do rentals go for in Saint Helena Island, SC?
Average rent in Saint Helena Island, SC is approximately $1,476/mo per month. Against $601K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.
How strong is tenant demand in Saint Helena Island, SC?
Working renters make up the core of the Saint Helena Island, SC tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.
Do landlords face vacancy issues in Saint Helena Island, SC?
Expect elevated vacancy in Saint Helena Island, SC. Rents at $1,476/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.
You know 29920 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 29920 ranks in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC
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