Real Estate Investing in Varnville, South Carolina (29944)

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

Hampton County • Population: 4,242 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 29944 (Varnville, SC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

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

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

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 19.0% 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 Varnville, SC (29944)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $164,392
Avg Monthly Rent $1,026
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $40,707
% Renters 28.6%

Market Analysis: 29944 Varnville

The 29944 ZIP covers a section of Varnville that demands careful diligence. Prices near $164K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

From an investor standpoint, the numbers look inviting — $164K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 29944 is substantial and deserves full respect.

The gap between 29944 and stronger Varnville ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Resident income in 29944 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategically, 29944 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Varnville:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,026/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
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
80 days
Average time to sell
Slow
8.0%
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 Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$190K$170K$151K$131K$112K$92KJun 2015Jan 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 29944 Compare?

Metric 29944 Varnville Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC South Carolina
Home Value $164,392 $164,392 N/A $299,690
5-Year CAGR 3.2% 3.2% N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $1,026 $1,026 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.9% 4.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 29944? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 29944 (Varnville, SC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.2%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $164,392
Monthly Rent $1,026
Price-to-Rent 13.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.5%
Cap Rate 4.9%
5-Year IRR 8.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR -0.6% ▼
5-Year CAGR +3.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.9%). 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
19.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 29944

Population: 4,242

💰 Median Household Income
$40,707
This area
$40,707
State
$58,636
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.6%
This area
28.6%
State
26.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.8%
This area
5.8%
State
-1.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.3%
This area
16.3%
State
14.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.7 years
This area
38.7 years
State
22.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
19.0%
This area
19.0%
State
17.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 45.4%
Black/African American 44.5%
Other/Mixed 8.5%
Hispanic/Latino 7.8%
Asian 1.6%
👶 Under 18
26.6%
This area
26.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.5%
This area
16.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.1%
This area
12.1%
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 29944

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
14.4:1 Avg Class Size
$16,919 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

North District Middle

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
250 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,919 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Varnville Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
249 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$16,919 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Hampton County High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
676 Students
👨‍🏫
17.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,919 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 do rentals go for in Varnville, SC?

Rental rates in Varnville, SC average $1,026/mo. Tenant demand and $164K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Varnville, SC?

Occupancy in Varnville, SC runs consistent with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,026/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

What kind of market is Varnville, SC for investors?

Our data puts Varnville, SC at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $164K and rents around $1,026/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Varnville, SC?

For rental operators, Varnville, SC rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

Where do home prices stand in Varnville, SC?

Varnville, SC home values average about $164K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,026/mo in monthly income.

You know 29944 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 29944 ranks in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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