Rent to Own Homes in South Carolina

South Carolina averages nearly 52 inches of rain each year and offers mild winters without the extreme summer heat that is often encountered further south. Myrtle Beach sits on the coast and offers affordable outdoor recreation for residents and tourists much of the year. Other attractions include Hilton Head Island and the Isle of Palms. If you love taking trips to the beach but don’t want to live directly on the water, there are hundreds of South Carolina communities that you may consider your ideal home.

South Carolina state is also home to a thriving arts community, and you can’t escape the many historical landmarks scattered throughout Charleston. Columbia serves as the state’s capital and is home to several state parks, the Riverbanks Zoo and Sumter National Forest. For higher education, residents have access to the University of South Carolina and South Carolina College.

Buying a Home in South Carolina

Whether you’re moving to South Carolina from another state or you’re transitioning from renting to home ownership, consider all of your terrain options before selecting your ideal neighborhood. South Carolina allows you to live by the beach, high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, or in a suburban community with tree-lined streets. You can live in the big city or isolate your family in a rural environment. With so many options, it’s important to select the ideal living environment for your lifestyle before settling on a home.

You will easily find more than 70,000 homes for sale in South Carolina at any given time, including properties along the Atlantic coast and those bordering North Carolina with easy access to jobs in Charlotte. Home prices can vary from one neighborhood to another, so it’s easy to live in a small town with reasonable prices while remaining a short drive from the large cities and big vacation destinations.

Popular Neighborhoods in South Carolina

What makes South Carolina different from many other states is the multitude of small towns with low crime rates, excellent public schools, and no stop to the natural beauty. One example is the city of Edgefield. While this is a small town, it’s also home to many upscale restaurants and a thriving arts community. You can enjoy a touch of big city life without actually living in a big city.

If your idea of a quaint southern city is a line of old-fashioned mom-and-pop stores and a quiet community of affordable houses, you may want to take up residence in a town like Inman. While many residents take the short drive to Spartanburg to work each day, this area remains quiet and safe. It’s popular with families, and there are many community projects and events to keep residents connected.

Are you more interested in immersing yourself in nature than a small town? If so, look to the exclusive homes found on Hilton Head. You will pay higher than average home prices in this area, but you’ll also live in the midst of incredible beauty with unlimited opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. You will find many executives living in this area, but it’s also a popular retirement destination.

Buying vs. Rent to Own Homes

You dream of owning a home, but perhaps you’re not ready to jump into the loan application process at this time. This is a common dilemma for many renters because they know that owning a home will save them money in the long run, but they don’t have the down payment or credit to secure home financing. The solution to this problem is often a rent-to-own property. This is a special agreement that allows you to start out renting the home that you will eventually buy.

There are different terms that can structure this type of agreement, but the basic concept is moving in now as a renter and taking over as the homeowner at a designated time in the future. These homes offer great opportunities for anyone who needs just a little more time to select a lender and sign on the dotted line.

Cost of Living in South Carolina

The overall cost of living in South Carolina is more than 5 percent lower than the national average, and that reflects housing prices that are approximately 25 percent lower than the national average. While there are some neighborhoods where the price of a home will go far beyond the national and state averages, this is a state where you can generally stretch your dollar significantly. If you dream of living on the beach or want to buy a large home without paying a million dollars, South Carolina may accommodate your needs. Prices for utilities, goods and services remain comparable to national averages.

Summary

Where can you buy a home near the Atlantic coast or high up in the mountains without breaking your housing budget? Not many places, but South Carolina is an exception. The cost of housing in this state is substantially lower than the national average, and you can select from a diverse range of terrains. While many people live the small town life here, they also enjoy access to upscale restaurants, boutique shops, art galleries and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Residents also enjoy mild winters and easy access to big cities with thousands of job opportunities in a variety of fields.