897 Fording Island Rd #1212 · Bluffton, SC 29910

$235,000

2 bd · 2.0 ba · 1,076 sqft · Condo public records · 147 Days on market

Built 1997 $218/sqft · at area comps Est $237k · at est.

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Why this score? — see what drove the D- grade

The composite is a weighted blend of 9 inputs, each scored 0–100. Each bar is that input's sub-score; the figure is the points it added to the 100-point composite (weight × sub-score).

• Cash flow +11.4/30.0
• ARV discount +7.8/15.0
• Schools +4.1/10.0
• 1% rule +3.8/10.0
• Rent growth +3.5/5.0
• Livability +3.4/5.0
• DSCR +3.3/10.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Locatеd in thе gatеd Ρlantatiοn Ρoint community, this well-рrіced 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom second-floor villa offers 1,076 square feet of functional living space with a rare private view. The unit features LVP flooring, upgraded countertops, and an open layout with excellent natural light. A private, unscreened porch overlooks a wooded buffer with Belfair Golf Course just beyond the fence, providing a quiet and private setting that is hard to find in this price range. This floor plan offers flexibility for a primary residence or investment opportunity, with 1 master bedroom. Plantation Point is a gated community offering great amenities including a pool, fitness center, and clubhouse. Tenant in place through January 31, allowing for a smooth transition for an owner-occupant or immediate rental strategy for an investor. Conveniently located just minutes from Old Town Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, shopping, dining, and golf. Priced to sell and positioned as one of the best values currently available in Plantation Point.

Key facts

• Upgraded countertops
• Natural light
• Open layout

Tags

• PRIVATE VIEW
• LVP FLOORING
• UPGRADED COUNTERTOPS
• OPEN LAYOUT
• NATURAL LIGHT
• PRIVATE UNSCREENED PORCH

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 2-bed/2.0-bath condo listed at $235k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $-80 ($-962/yr) — negative.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• To meet the 1% rule (rent ≥ 1% of price), the offer needs to be $207k (11.8% below list).
• Recommended offer: $207k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 5.9% vs local median 3.2% in Bluffton — top-decile yield for the area; either an underpriced asset or a hidden risk that comps aren't pricing in. Stress-test before assuming the spread holds.

Location & tenants

• Location reads 68/100 on livability (#76 in SC) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: crime A+, employment A+, housing A+; Watch: amenities F, commute F, cost of living D-.
• Beaufort 01 (town): math 42% / reading 51% proficiency, ranked #17 of 80 in SC (top 21%) — families likely to look elsewhere, expect single-tenant / working-renter base with shorter leases.
• Market conditions: Rents rising fast (+4.1%/yr); 760 active listings in the ZIP; 7 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals leasing fast (median 14d on market — plan ~1-2 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); solid renter incomes; 1,824 units permitted in Beaufort County in 2024 (618 in 5+ unit buildings).

Forward outlook

• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $2k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $7k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Beaufort County population projected at +30% by 2050 — long-run rental-demand tailwind backs the buy-and-hold thesis.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 147 days — a 12% lower offer ($207k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 5 sale attempts since 18y ago with the ask held roughly flat each time — persistent listings suggest the price (not the market) is what's stuck; bring a comps-based counter.
• Current owner paid $58k; list at $235k implies a 309% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.

Recommended offer $206,800 (12.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. What do current leases actually rent for vs. the listed asking? Can we see a recent rent roll and the last 12 months of T-12 income?
2. It's been on market 147 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 12% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
3. What does the HOA fee cover, when was the last increase, and are there any pending special assessments or reserve-fund shortfalls?
4. Any open or pending special assessments — roof, HVAC, plumbing, elevator, façade? What's the per-unit balance and payoff schedule, and is the seller paying it off at close or rolling it to the buyer?
5. Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
6. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
7. Schools are B-rated — typically a magnet for longer-tenancy family renters. What's the average tenant stay here, and is there a school-zone premium baked into asking?
8. The area grade is low — what's the realistic commute time and amenity access for the typical tenant pool here? Any planned neighborhood developments (good or bad) we should know about?
9. What's the average days-on-market for RENTAL listings here right now (not sales)? A rising rental-DOM trend means longer vacancies and softer asking-rent achievability than the comps imply.
10. What's the recent tenant-quality profile in this submarket — average credit score on applications, eviction rate, late-payment / NSF rate, and stable-employment percentage? A property-management company in the area should have these aggregated.
11. How much new apartment / multifamily construction is in the pipeline within 1–3 miles? Heavy new supply (>2% of stock underway) typically softens rents 12–24 months out; light construction supports rent growth.

Investment metrics

• 1% rule: 0.88% ✗
• Cap rate: 5.88%
• Cash-on-cash: -1.46%
• DSCR: 0.93
• GRM: 9.5

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $236,735
• List price: $235,000
• Delta: -0.73%
• Verdict: FAIR
• Comps: 20 within 1.0 mi

Projected returns pro-forma

-3.0% appreciation · 4.06% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: -17.4%
• Equity multiple: 0.38×
• Total profit: $-40,867
• Equity at exit: $35,039

10-year hold

• IRR: -7.4%
• Equity multiple: 0.51×
• Total profit: $-32,440
• Equity at exit: $20,319

Cash invested: $65,800 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 90 Strongly Landlord-Friendly
• State South Carolina: 90 Strongly Landlord-Friendly · R+6
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

5-day notice; preempted; landlord-favorable.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 29910

• Home prices YoY: -22.9%
• Rents YoY: 4.1%
• Active inventory: 760
• Price-to-rent: 9.5×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $2,072 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,232
• Tax from tax record: −$95 /mo · $1,139/yr
• Insurance: −$98
• HOA est. from 3 same-building comps: −$292
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$435
• Net cashflow: $-80

Break-even live

Break-even rent $2,174

Max offer price $220,831

Occupancy floor 99%

UW: 25.0% down · 7.5% · 30yr · 1.5% tax · 5.0% vac · 8.0% maint · 8.0% mgmt

Financing live

Cash to close

• Down payment: $58,750
• Closing costs: $7,050
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 7 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
897 Fording Island Rd Bluffton, SC	1.0–2.0	1.0–2.0	1038	$2,000	$1.93	44d	4	0.22mi
897 Fording Island Rd Bluffton, SC	2.0	2.0	1076	$2,000	$1.86	13d	4	0.22mi
20 Simmonsville Rd Bluffton, SC	1.0–3.0	1.0–2.0	1091	$2,104	$1.93	13d	13	0.53mi
100 Kensington Blvd Bluffton, SC	1.0–3.0	1.0–2.0	908	$1,798	$1.98	13d	3	0.81mi
55 Buck Island Rd Bluffton, SC	2.0	1.0	1269	$2,200	$1.73	21d	1	1.26mi
4921 Bluffton Pkwy Bluffton, SC	1.0–3.0	1.0–3.0	1119	$1,938	$1.73	13d	23	1.37mi
10 Sikes TRL Bluffton, SC	1.0–3.0	1.0–2.0	1061	$2,154	$2.03	13d	31	1.42mi

HOA detail condo

• Monthly dues: $0 · $0/yr
• Likely covers: poolgymsecurity
• Assessments: None detected in remarks — confirm with the listing agent.

Listing history 21 events

1. 2026-06-18
   days on market $235,000 Active 147 DOM
2. 2026-06-17
   days on market $235,000 Active 146 DOM
3. 2026-06-16
   days on market $235,000 Active 145 DOM
4. 2026-06-15
   days on market $235,000 Active 144 DOM
5. 2026-06-14
   days on market $235,000 Active 142 DOM
6. 2026-06-13
   days on market $235,000 Active 141 DOM
7. 2026-06-10
   days on market $235,000 Active 139 DOM
8. 2026-06-09
   days on market $235,000 Active 138 DOM
9. 2026-06-08
   days on market $235,000 Active 137 DOM
10. 2026-06-07
    days on market $235,000 Active 136 DOM
11. 2026-06-05
    days on market $235,000 Active 133 DOM
12. 2026-06-03
    days on market $235,000 Active 132 DOM
13. 2026-06-02
    days on market $235,000 Active 131 DOM
14. 2026-06-01
    days on market $235,000 Active 130 DOM
15. 2026-05-31
    days on market $235,000 Active 129 DOM
16. 2026-01-22
    listed $235,000 Active 1047-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1047 chars)

    Locatеd in thе gatеd Ρlantatiοn Ρoint community, this well-рrіced 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom second-floor villa offers 1,076 square feet of functional living space with a rare private view. The unit features LVP flooring, upgraded countertops, and an open layout with excellent natural light. A private, unscreened porch overlooks a wooded buffer with Belfair Golf Course just beyond the fence, providing a quiet and private setting that is hard to find in this price range. This floor plan offers flexibility for a primary residence or investment opportunity, with 1 master bedroom. Plantation Point is a gated community offering great amenities including a pool, fitness center, and clubhouse. Tenant in place through January 31, allowing for a smooth transition for an owner-occupant or immediate rental strategy for an investor. Conveniently located just minutes from Old Town Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, shopping, dining, and golf. Priced to sell and positioned as one of the best values currently available in Plantation Point.

17. 2026-01-20
    listed $235,000 Active 712-char remark

    Show marketing remark (712 chars)

    Located in the gated Plantation Point community, this well-priced 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom second-floor villa offers a functional living space with a rare private view. The unit features LVP flooring, upgraded countertops, and an open layout filled with natural light. A private, porch overlooks a wooded buffer with Belfair Golf Course just beyond the fence, creating a quiet and private setting rarely found at this price point. The floor plan works well for a primary residence or investment opportunity, with a true primary bedroom and full bath. Plantation Point offers amenities including a pool, fitness center, and clubhouse. Convenient to Old Town Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, shopping, dining, and golf.

18. 2014-05-29
    soldstatus $57,500
19. 2014-04-26
    listed $57,750
20. 2011-04-15
    listed $48,000
21. 2008-11-14
    listed $128,900

ⓘ Source: listings_history table (triggers on properties + properties_extension) + one-shot backfill from property_details.listing_events for pre-trigger history.

Tax reassessment forecast SC · Resets to sale price

• Current annual tax: $1,139 · $95/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $1,340 · $112/mo
• Expected delta: +$200/yr (+$17/mo · 17.6%)

ⓘ Screening estimate from a state-policy table — verify with the county assessor before closing.

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $24,866
• − Mortgage interest: −$13,164
• − Property taxes: −$1,139
• − Insurance: −$1,175
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,989
• − Management: −$1,989
• − HOA: −$3,504
• − Depreciation: −$6,836
• Taxable loss: −$4,931
• Est. tax savings @ 24.0%: +$1,183
• After-tax cash flow: $221/yr

For passive investors: Depreciation is non-cash, so a rental often shows a tax loss while cash-flowing — sheltering income. Rental losses are passive: they offset passive income freely, and up to $25,000/yr can offset ordinary (W-2) income if you actively participate and your MAGI is under $100k (phasing out to $0 by $150k); unused losses carry forward. On sale, claimed depreciation is recaptured at up to 25%, and gains may owe capital-gains tax (a 1031 exchange can defer both). Figures are a year-1 estimate at your 24.0% rate — not tax advice; consult a CPA.

Schools (NCES district)

• District: Beaufort 01
• NCES district ID: 4501110
• Math proficiency: 42% ▼ -8.00%
• Reading proficiency: 51% ▲ 2.00%
• Median HH income: $57,430
• Composite: 40.56/100
• National rank: #3699
• State rank: #17 of 80 in SC

Livability — Bluffton

• Score: 68/100
• State rank: #76
• US rank: #8936

Category grades

Amenities F Commute F Cost of living D- Crime A+ Employment A+ Housing A+ Health & safety F User ratings F

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• County: Beaufort County · 163,770 people
• City population: 77,022
• Metro: Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC
• Population (ZIP): 53,019
• Household income: $98,912
• Rent vs Own: 22.8% rent · 77.2% own
• Severe rent burden: 1146.0

Population outlook (Beaufort County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 211,915 people
• By 2030: 227,272 · +7.2%
• By 2040: 253,861 · +19.8%
• By 2050: 275,126 · +29.8%
• By 2075: 311,022 · +46.8%
• By 2100: 321,286 · +51.6%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly White (70%)
• Race & ethnicity: White 70% Hispanic / Latino 18% Two or more races 8% Black 7%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 7% Puerto Rican 3%
• Common ancestry: Romanian 4% Slovak 3% Lithuanian 3%
• Foreign-born: 9% · Canada, Jamaica, Dominican Republic
• Languages at home: 84% English-only · Spanish 13% Other Indo-European 1% French/Haitian/Cajun 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Beaufort

• 2024 margin: R (+14.5) · D 42.1% · R 56.6% · Other 1.2%
• 2008→2024 swing: -3.7pp toward R · 2008: -10.8pp · 2024: -14.5pp
• All cycles: 2024: R+14.5 2020: R+10.0 2016: R+14.3 2012: R+17.5 2008: R+10.8

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -72.80%
• Current HPI: 245.8086
• Rent YoY: ▲ 4.06%
• Metro: Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 4.51%
• F500 in state: 2

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in SC)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Packaging	1	$7B

Price history

+82.3% since first listed

6 events — show timeline

• 2026-01-22 Listed $235,000 RSMLS
• 2026-01-20 Listed $235,000 LRMLS
• 2014-05-29 Sold (MLS) $57,500 RSMLS
• 2014-04-26 Listed $57,750 RSMLS
• 2011-04-15 Listed $48,000 RSMLS
• 2008-11-14 Listed $128,900 RSMLS

Property tax history

+6.5%/yr

Latest (2024): $1,139 · -0.0% YoY. Source: county tax records.