West Columbia is less than 100 miles from Charlotte, NC, about 200 miles from Atlanta, GA, 110 miles from the beautiful and historic coastal city of Charleston, and less than 150 miles from Myrtle Beach. Approximately 16,000 people call West Columbia home.

Several locations in West Columbia are on the National Register of Historic Places, including the New Brookland Historic District. This area is comprised of 23 buildings – commercial, institutional, and residential – as a planned residential village.

Buying a Home in West Columbia

The median home price in West Columbia is about $112,000. Many recent sales are within this range; however, homes for $500,000+ are available as well. Real estate near the river can be higher priced. About 55 percent of the homes are owner occupied. The median age of West Columbia residents is 38, and 43 percent of the population is married.

The cost of living in West Columbia is over 15 percent below the national average. While healthcare and transportation contribute to this, the real winner is the cost of housing; it’s an impressive 40 percent below the national average.

Popular Neighborhoods in West Columbia

The Sunset Blvd/Leaphart Rd. neighborhood is primarily made up of small- to medium-sized single family houses, apartment complexes and high-rise apartments. Most of the residential real estate is owner occupied, and the neighborhood is established but not old; a large number of homes were built after 1970. It’s a peaceful and quiet family-friendly area. The median home price is about $213,000.

For those who like to be where the action is, the city center is just the place. The median home price here is about $155,000. It’s a very walkable area with small- to medium-sized homes and an above-average safety record, and it’s on the river, just across from the city of Columbia. It’s an ideal location for singles, young couples and young families.

Buying vs. Rent to Own Homes

West Columbia may already be enticing you with its low cost of living and southern charm. Financing for a home, however, is a long process and requires a down payment and pre-qualification. But there is another option. Many are taking advantage of rent-to-own arrangements. Renters agree to live in a home for a specified period of time and, after that time expires, they have the option to buy. A portion of each month’s rent goes toward a down payment to eventually buy the house. It’s money in the owner’s pocket, and the possibility for tenants to become proud homeowners.

Summary

A beautiful riverfront – both in West Columbia and Columbia – along with a mild climate, low cost of living, multiple parks and green spaces, and proximity to the state capital as well as other large metropolitan centers make West Columbia a place to consider settling and putting down roots.

Rent to Own Realtors

Working with a realtor doesn’t guarantee that you will successfully complete a rent to own deal, but their knowledge and expertise can make a big difference in your success rate.

Unfortunately, not many realtors will want to work with you on a rent to own deal. There isn’t a lot of profit for a realtor in rent to own deals.

So, you’ll need to find others with the knowledge and expertise you are looking for to ensure a successful lease-option experience. Consider consulting with a realtor, a title company and a mortgage officer instead. These professionals are better than a realtor because they are experts in their respective fields, as opposed to realtors who know a good deal about each of those rent to own factors.

About Our Listings

When you rent to buy a condo or a townhouse, you’re taking the first step toward becoming a homeowner. You can take advantage of many rent to own by owner programs with no credit check. Having bad credit shouldn’t stop you from owning one of your favorite apartments or houses.

While you lease-option or lease-purchase, you’ll work on improving your credit score and saving up a down payment so that you can qualify with the bank for the house you’re interested in. The bank is frugal with mortgage approvals because they often end up selling foreclosed homes for cheap prices because people cannot afford their mortgage payments.

When you lease to purchase, you’re making yourself into a better candidate for purchasing properties. Check out Rent to Own Lab’s free listings to find properties near me that meet your family’s needs.