897 Fording Island Rd #2705 · Bluffton, SC 29910

$229,500

2 bd · 2.0 ba · 1,076 sqft · Condo public records · 38 Days on market

Built 1997 $213/sqft · at area comps Est $223k · at est.

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Why this score? — see what drove the F 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 +7.4/30.0
• ARV discount +6.2/15.0
• Schools +4.1/10.0
• 1% rule +4.0/10.0
• Rent growth +3.5/5.0
• Livability +3.4/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• DSCR +1.5/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Spacious bright upstairs villa with high ceilings, lots of closets and covered patio accessed from living room. Recent carpet, paint, lights, fans and LVP additions. This villa is also sold partially furnished! Gated community with easy walk to community amenities, including 2 pools, 2 fitness centers and clubhouse. Located close to shopping & restaurants, this can make the perfect primary residence or investment property. Easy drive to HHI, Savannah & Beaufort. Fitness Center, pool, landscaping, pest control, trash service and security gate included in regime fee.

Key facts

• Split-bedroom layout
• Fitness center
• Community pool

Tags

• PRIVATE PATIO
• SPLIT-BEDROOM LAYOUT
• HIGH CEILINGS
• ABUNDANT NATURAL LIGHT
• COMMUNITY POOL
• FITNESS CENTER

Property features AI

Finance

• Other: Pets allowed (dogs OK; owner only; size limit applies)
• HOA & community: Association amenities include fitness center, pool, guard service, and trash; Association fees cover management, common areas, insurance, grounds and structure maintenance, pool(s), reserve fund, sewer, trash, and pest control

Exterior

• Parking: Unassigned parking
• Security: Security gate; Key card entry; Security guard; Smoke detectors
• Utilities: Public water
• Home design: 2-story property
• Construction: Block and stucco construction
• Exterior features: Balcony; Patio; Community pool

Interior

• Kitchen: Dishwasher; Microwave; Refrigerator; Stove
• Flooring: Carpet; Vinyl
• Bathrooms: 2 full bathrooms
• Heating & cooling: Central heating (heat pump); Central air conditioning
• Interior features: Unfurnished; Ceiling fans; Cathedral and vaulted ceilings; High ceilings; Smooth ceilings; Entrance foyer; Upper-level primary; Eat-in kitchen
• Laundry & utility: Washer; Dryer; Utility room; Laundry room

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 2-bed/2.0-bath condo listed at $230k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $-301 ($-4k/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 $206k (10.0% below list).
• Recommended offer: $206k (10.0% below list) — sets the bar for 1% rule.
• Cap rate 4.7% 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.
• Zoned schools: Okatie Elementary (math 67% / reading 62%, grade B, #56 of 597 statewide, top 10%, 609 students, 26% FRL); Bluffton Middle (math 40% / reading 46%, grade D-, #60 of 229 statewide, top 26%, 872 students, 45% FRL); Bluffton High (math 69% / reading 85%, grade A-, #28 of 196 statewide, top 16%, 1,350 students, 38% FRL).
• Zoned-school proficiency averages 62% at this address vs 46% district-wide (+15 pts) — the actual schools serving this property are materially stronger than the Beaufort 01 average implies; a family-tenant draw the district grade alone would hide.
• Market conditions: Rents rising fast (+4.1%/yr); 760 active listings in the ZIP; 6 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 16d on market — plan ~3-4 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 38 days — a 3% lower offer ($223k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 4 sale attempts since 11y 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.

Recommended offer $206,496 (10.0% 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 38 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 10% 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. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
6. 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?
7. 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?
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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: 0.90% ✗
• Cap rate: 4.72%
• Cash-on-cash: -5.61%
• DSCR: 0.75
• GRM: 9.3

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $223,001
• List price: $229,500
• Delta: 2.91%
• 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: -24.3%
• Equity multiple: 0.16×
• Total profit: $-53,863
• Equity at exit: $34,219

10-year hold

• IRR: -16.0%
• Equity multiple: 0.05×
• Total profit: $-61,231
• Equity at exit: $19,843

Cash invested: $64,260 (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: 9.3×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $2,065 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,204
• Tax from tax record: −$307 /mo · $3,681/yr
• Insurance: −$96
• HOA est. from 2 same-building comps: −$326
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$434
• Net cashflow: $-301

Break-even live

Break-even rent $2,445

Max offer price $176,404

Occupancy floor —

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $-171	-5% $-236	+0% $-301	+5% $-366	+10% $-430
Rent	-10% $-464	-5% $-382	+0% $-301	+5% $-219	+10% $-137
Rate	-1.0pp $-185	-0.5pp $-242	base $-301	+0.5pp $-360	+1.0pp $-421

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: $57,375
• Closing costs: $6,885
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 6 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	45d	4	0.07mi
897 Fording Island Rd Bluffton, SC	2.0	2.0	1076	$2,000	$1.86	15d	4	0.07mi
20 Simmonsville Rd Bluffton, SC	1.0–3.0	1.0–2.0	1091	$2,104	$1.93	15d	13	0.61mi
100 Kensington Blvd Bluffton, SC	1.0–3.0	1.0–2.0	908	$1,798	$1.98	15d	3	0.85mi
55 Buck Island Rd Bluffton, SC	2.0	1.0	1269	$2,200	$1.73	23d	1	1.28mi
4921 Bluffton Pkwy Bluffton, SC	1.0–3.0	1.0–3.0	1119	$1,938	$1.73	15d	23	1.49mi

HOA detail condo

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

Listing history 26 events

1. 2026-06-21
   days on market $229,500 Active 38 DOM
2. 2026-06-18
   days on market $229,500 Active 35 DOM
3. 2026-06-17
   days on market $229,500 Active 34 DOM
4. 2026-06-16
   days on market $229,500 Active 33 DOM
5. 2026-06-15
   days on market $229,500 Active 32 DOM
6. 2026-06-14
   days on market $229,500 Active 30 DOM
7. 2026-06-13
   days on market $229,500 Active 29 DOM
8. 2026-06-10
   days on market $229,500 Active 27 DOM
9. 2026-06-09
   days on market $229,500 Active 26 DOM
10. 2026-06-08
    days on market $229,500 Active 25 DOM
11. 2026-06-07
    days on market $229,500 Active 24 DOM
12. 2026-06-05
    days on market $229,500 Active 21 DOM
13. 2026-06-03
    days on market $229,500 Active 20 DOM
14. 2026-06-02
    days on market $229,500 Active 19 DOM
15. 2026-06-01
    days on market $229,500 Active 18 DOM
16. 2026-05-31
    days on market $229,500 Active 17 DOM
17. 2026-05-30
    days on market $229,500 Active 16 DOM
18. 2026-05-14
    listed $229,500 Active 492-char remark
19. 2023-08-16
    soldstatus $245,500
20. 2023-08-15
    soldstatus $245,500 Closed 583-char remark

    Show marketing remark (583 chars)

    Spacious bright upstairs villa with high ceilings, lots of closets and covered patio accessed from living room. Recent carpet, paint, lights, fans and LVP additions. This villa is also sold partially furnished! Gated community with easy walk to community amenities, including 2 pools, 2 fitness centers and clubhouse. Located close to shopping & restaurants, this can make the perfect primary residence or investment property. Easy drive to HHI, Savannah & Beaufort. Fitness Center, pool, landscaping, pest control, trash service and security gate included in regime fee.

21. 2023-07-04
    status Pending 583-char remark

    Show marketing remark (583 chars)

    Spacious bright upstairs villa with high ceilings, lots of closets and covered patio accessed from living room. Recent carpet, paint, lights, fans and LVP additions. This villa is also sold partially furnished! Gated community with easy walk to community amenities, including 2 pools, 2 fitness centers and clubhouse. Located close to shopping & restaurants, this can make the perfect primary residence or investment property. Easy drive to HHI, Savannah & Beaufort. Fitness Center, pool, landscaping, pest control, trash service and security gate included in regime fee.

22. 2023-07-01
    listed $239,000 Active 583-char remark

    Show marketing remark (583 chars)

    Spacious bright upstairs villa with high ceilings, lots of closets and covered patio accessed from living room. Recent carpet, paint, lights, fans and LVP additions. This villa is also sold partially furnished! Gated community with easy walk to community amenities, including 2 pools, 2 fitness centers and clubhouse. Located close to shopping & restaurants, this can make the perfect primary residence or investment property. Easy drive to HHI, Savannah & Beaufort. Fitness Center, pool, landscaping, pest control, trash service and security gate included in regime fee.

23. 2020-04-16
    soldstatus $137,000
24. 2020-04-14
    soldstatus $137,000

    Show marketing remark (504 chars)

    WOW! The biggest floor plan unit-1076 sf in Plantation Point, ready to move in 2 BR, 2 full BA villa with open floor plan, many closets for storage, balcony to relax and GARAGE. Well maintained, washer, dryer, newer refrigerator and microwave, newer HVAC and water heater. Unit is located at the end of complex (new roof and exterior paint), very quiet, close to one of two community pools and surrounded by beautiful landscape. Close to shopping, beaches on HHI, easy commute to Beaufort and Savannah.

25. 2020-02-03
    listed $139,000

    Show marketing remark (504 chars)

    WOW! The biggest floor plan unit-1076 sf in Plantation Point, ready to move in 2 BR, 2 full BA villa with open floor plan, many closets for storage, balcony to relax and GARAGE. Well maintained, washer, dryer, newer refrigerator and microwave, newer HVAC and water heater. Unit is located at the end of complex (new roof and exterior paint), very quiet, close to one of two community pools and surrounded by beautiful landscape. Close to shopping, beaches on HHI, easy commute to Beaufort and Savannah.

26. 2015-03-30
    listed $89,900

ⓘ 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: $3,681 · $307/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $3,681 · $307/mo
• Expected delta: $0/yr ($0/mo · 0.0%)

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

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $24,780
• − Mortgage interest: −$12,856
• − Property taxes: −$3,681
• − Insurance: −$1,148
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,982
• − Management: −$1,982
• − HOA: −$3,912
• − Depreciation: −$6,676
• Taxable loss: −$7,457
• Est. tax savings @ 24.0%: +$1,790
• After-tax cash flow: $-1,817/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

+155.3% since first listed

9 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-14 Listed $229,500 RSMLS
• 2023-08-16 Sold (Public Records) $245,500 Public Records
• 2023-08-15 Sold (MLS) $245,500 RSMLS
• 2023-07-04 Pending — RSMLS
• 2023-07-01 Listed $239,000 RSMLS
• 2020-04-16 Sold (Public Records) $137,000 Public Records
• 2020-04-14 Sold (MLS) $137,000 RSMLS
• 2020-02-03 Listed $139,000 RSMLS
• 2015-03-30 Listed $89,900 RSMLS

Property tax history

+17.8%/yr

Latest (2025): $3,681 · +1.7% YoY. Source: county tax records.