5 Best Property Management Companies in Charleston, SC

The Charleston real estate market is ranked as one of the hottest housing markets in 2023. Residential property prices in Charleston, SC exceed the national averages and continue growing fast. Nevertheless, the diverse economy and the strong job market make this a great place to invest in long-term rental properties that benefit from a large pool of tenants. Meanwhile, the status of Charleston as a popular tourist destination turns it into a good place to buy a short-term rental too.

The 5 best property management companies in Charleston are:

1. HomeRiver Group: Best Overall
2. The Charleston Property Company: Best for Single-Family Homes and Condos
3. CREC Property Management: Best for Mixed Portfolios
4. Sloane Realty Property Management & Sales: Best for Flexible Options
5. PURE Property Management of South Carolina: Best for Landlord Protection

Let Awning find the best property management company for your rental property. Simply fill out the form and Awning will find a property manager that provides the best rates and services for your property.

How We Selected the Best Property Management Companies in Charleston

In our selection of the top property management companies in the Charleston market, we used a range of different factors and criteria in order to ensure objective results. These include:

• Property management services: Most importantly, we evaluated the types and quality of services provided by each property management company and whether they are included in their standard plans.
• Property management prices and fees: We focused on companies with clear, transparent pricing plans that include both flat fees and percentages of monthly rent.
• Location coverage: We looked for property managers that have the capacity to operate across the entire Charleston market and all surrounding areas.
• Property types coverage: We included companies working with short-term and long-term rental properties of different types to meet the needs of various kinds of investors.
• Company size and markets: We ranked both small, local companies and large property managers with nationwide coverage as each management model has its own pros and cons.
• Use of technology and human interventions: We chose companies that benefit from available technologies to streamline and automate processes without ignoring the importance of the human touch in the rental management industry.
• Online reviews by investors and renters: We checked out the reviews of short-listed companies on third-party websites to confirm if they deliver the services and results that they promise on their websites.
• Value for money: Ultimately, we selected the 5 property management companies that are able to offer the best value for money to local and remote rental property investors in the Charleston market.

We also reviewed the top South Carolina property management companies.

HomeRiver Group: Best Overall Property Management Company in Charleston

HomeRiver Group is the biggest third-party property management company in the US market, with a strong presence in Charleston. John Hirschfeld, Andrew Propst, Doug Dale, and Joshua Bangert established the company in 2016, with headquarters in New York, NY. By acquiring the best local property managers and turning them into partners, HomeRiver Group has expanded to cover multiple cities in 32 states, where it provides comprehensive services to the owners of 40,000+ single-family homes and small multifamily buildings. This is the top property management company in Charleston due to the unmatched combination of full-service management and competitive pricing.

HomeRiver Group Property Management Services

As the best Charleston property management company, HomeRiver Group provides the following comprehensive services:

• Property-specific expert market analysis to maximize income
• Property marketing
• Extensive tenant screening
• Rent collection
• Owner payout disbursements
• Routine inspections
• Maintenance work coordination
• Detailed financial reporting
• Evictions

HomeRiver Group Property Management Locations

HomeRiver Group works in the following areas of the Charleston market:

• Charleston
• Goose Creek
• Knightsville
• Ladson
• Lincolnville
• Moncks Corner
• Mount Holly
• North Charleston
• Rockville
• Summerville

HomeRiver Group Property Types

The Charleston office of HomeRiver Group manages single-family homes, small multifamily properties, and apartment communities.

HomeRiver Group Property Management Costs

The website of the Charleston branch of HomeRiver Group does not provide information on the local property management fees. However, in other markets, the company charges both flat fees and percentages of rental income to reflect local trends. Their prices are always competitive for the local market.

Besides the monthly property management fee, owners also need to pay a leasing fee, a lease renewal fee, an inspection fee, and an HVAC tune-up fee.

HomeRiver Group Property Management Terms

HomeRiver Group usually asks property owners to sign an initial management contract of 6 or 12 months. After the end of the initial agreement, monthly contracts are available too.

HomeRiver Group Property Management Reviews

There are 30+ online reviews of the work of the Charleston office of HomeRiver Group that result in a good overall rating.

You can find HomeRiver Group reviews focused on Charleston on:

• Google: Currently 3.6/5 stars based on 37 reviews

Positive reviews highlight the easy processes, the amazing experiences, the professionalism, the quick handling of repairs, the patient and caring staff, the super helpful in answering questions team, and the prompt communication. Negative reviews complain about terrible experiences, unprofessional staff members, unjustified charges, withholding security deposits without a reason, and lack of communication.

How to Get Started with HomeRiver Group Property Management

To get started with the best overall property management company real estate investors can submit an online form via HomeRiver Group.

The Charleston Property Company: Best for Single-Family Homes and Condos

The Charleston Property Company is a local, full-service property management company serving Charleston County. Ralph Tice created the company in 2011, with headquarters in Charleston, SC. The team aims to deliver the best possible renting experience to owners and residents through knowledgeable, compassionate, and responsive property management. The company has won multiple awards. The Charleston Property Company is the best Charleston property manager for single-family homes and condos as it provides comprehensive services with a clear pricing model.

The Charleston Property Company Services

As a leading rental property manager in Charleston, The Charleston Property Company covers:

• Detailed competitive market analysis to set the right rental price
• Aggressive marketing and advertising including the MLS, popular websites, and social media
• Comprehensive tenant screening including background check, criminal record check, credit check, and rental/eviction check
• Rent collection
• Bills payments
• Thorough evaluation services including HVAC filters, appliances, walls, flooring, roofing, exterior siding, decks, sidewalks, driveways, garage, landscaping, and plumbing
• Financial accounting services
• Monthly and annual accounting statements
• Evictions

The services provided by The Charleston Property Company come with a 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee. This means that owners can test the services for 60 days and get their money back if they are not entirely satisfied.

The Charleston Property Company Locations

The Charleston Property Company operates in:

• Beaufort
• Charleston
• Daniel Island
• Edisto Beach
• Georgetown
• Goose Creek
• Hanaham
• James Island
• Johns Island
• Manning
• Moncks Corner
• Mount Pleasant
• North Charleston
• Santee
• St. George
• St. Stephen
• Summerville
• Walterboro
• West Ashley

The Charleston Property Company Property Types

The Charleston Property Company works with both single-family homes and condos as well as townhomes rented out on an annual basis in the local market. They specialize in middle to upper middle income properties.

The Charleston Property Company Costs

The Charleston Property Company provides two distinct service plans to cater to varying property management needs.

Their Tenant Placement Services Only plan is designed specifically for getting a property occupied. The fees for this plan include a leasing and marketing fee equivalent to one month's rent. This plan focuses exclusively on tenant placement, making it an ideal option for property owners who prefer to manage the day-to-day operations themselves but require assistance in finding tenants.

For a more comprehensive solution, the Full-Service Management plan includes everything offered in the Tenant Placement Services Only plan, plus it covers all tasks required to run a long-term rental business successfully. The pricing structure for this plan comprises a monthly management fee, which is 10% of the monthly rent with a minimum charge of $100. Additionally, the leasing and marketing fee under this plan is reduced to 50% of one month's rent. There is also a one-time setup fee of $299.

These two plans from The Charleston Property Company offer property owners the flexibility to choose between solely tenant placement services and complete property management, depending on their specific needs and level of involvement desired in the management of their rental properties.

The Charleston Property Company Terms

Under the 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee, property owners can test the property management services of The Charleston Property Company for 60 days and get their money back if they are not fully satisfied.

The Charleston Property Company Reviews

There are 500+ online reviews of the services delivered by The Charleston Property Company that show generally positive experiences.

You can find The Charleston Property Company reviews on:

• Google: Currently 4.1/5 stars based on 533 reviews
• Yelp: Currently 1.5/5 stars based on 49 reviews
• BBB.org: Currently 1.0/5 stars based on 2 reviews

Satisfied property owners and renters praise the comprehensive services, the outstanding experiences, the thorough, yet smooth processes, the awesome and helpful team members, the prompt addressing of issues, the full responses to questions, and the good communication. Dissatisfied customers mention overcharged services, dishonest and corrupt practices, managers’ absence in tough situations, and lack of proper communication.

How to Get Started with The Charleston Property Company

To get started with the best property management company in Charleston for single-family homes and condos, real estate investors can submit an online form via The Charleston Property Company website.

CREC Property Management: Best for Mixed Portfolios

CREC Property Management is a Charleston-based full-service property manager working with different property types across the local rental market. The company aims to make the property ownership and renting process as relaxing and carefree as possible. Property owners can choose between marketing, tenant placement, and full management services. This is the best Charleston property management company for investors with mixed portfolios as they work with various types of properties, both furnished and unfurnished.

CREC Property Management Services

The full-service management delivered by CREC Property Management includes:

• Marketing including high-quality photos, MLS listing, company website listing, social media, and visible signage at the property
• Property showings
• Tenant screening including background check, credit check, and rental history
• Lease writing and negotiating
• Rent collection
• Owner payouts
• Move-in and move-out inspections
• Handling move-ins and move-outs
• 6-month inspections
• Handling maintenance calls and repairs
• Yearly statements
• 1099s

CREC Property Management Locations

CREC Property Management serves the following areas in the Charleston market:

• Charleston
• Daniel Island
• Goose Creek
• Hanahan
• Isle of Palms
• James Island
• Johns Island
• Moncks Corner
• Mount Pleasant
• North Charleston
• Summerville
• Sullivan’s Island
• West Ashley

CREC Property Management Property Types

CREC Property Management works with single-family homes, townhouses, condos, bungalows, furnished penthouses, and multifamily complexes. This diversity makes them the best property management company for different property types in Charleston.

CREC Property Management Costs

CREC Property Management has tailored three distinct service plans to suit the diverse needs of property investors.

The first plan, Property Marketing, focuses on showcasing a property effectively. It includes high-quality photography, listing the property on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), marketing through the company's website and social media channels, and placing visible signage at the property. The cost for this plan is a flat marketing fee of $500.

The next level up is the Marketing and Tenant Search plan, which encompasses all the services required to find and place a tenant in the property. This plan is more comprehensive, with a tenant placement fee set at 60% of one month’s rent, subject to a minimum charge of $1,000.

For those seeking an all-inclusive approach, the Full-Service plan offers the most comprehensive coverage. This plan includes everything from the Marketing and Tenant Search plan and extends to cover all aspects of managing a rental property. The pricing for the Full-Service plan includes a monthly management fee of 10% of the monthly rent and a leasing fee of 30% of one month’s rent.

Each of these plans by CREC Property Management is designed to meet different levels of investor involvement and management needs, ranging from basic marketing to complete property management solutions.

CREC Property Management Terms

CREC Property Management does not specify the terms of the management contract that investors need to sign. Thus, owners should contact the team and ask for a copy to review before deciding if this is the best property management company in Charleston for their needs.

CREC Property Management Reviews

More than 400 real estate investors and tenants have reviewed the services provided by CREC Property Management. Their reviews reveal very positive overall ratings.

You can find CREC Property Management reviews on:

• Birdeye: Currently 4.5/5 stars based on 185 reviews
• Google: Currently 4.6/5 stars based on 159 reviews
• ChamberofCommerce.com: Currently 4.7/5 stars based on 89 reviews
• Yelp: Currently 2.0/5 stars based on 10 reviews

Positive reviews praise the great comprehensive services, the smooth processes and practices, the abundant available information, the kind and responsive staff, the professional and helpful team members, and the generous customer service. Negative reviews discuss false advertising, properties not being ready for move-in, dishonest practices, unsatisfactory solutions to problems, and condescending staff.

How to Get Started with CREC Property Management

To get started with the best property management company in Charleston for mixed portfolios, landlords can fill in an online form on the CREC Property Management website.

Sloane Realty Property Management & Sales: Best for Flexible Options

Sloane Realty Property Management & Sales is a family-owned and operated property manager in the Charleston real estate market. Anita Sloane started the company in 1997, with headquarters in Charleston, SC. The team aspires to provide a fantastically stress-free landlord experience for property owners along with an outstanding living experience for residents. Sloane Realty Property Management & Sales offers 3 monthly management service plans, and this makes them the best Charleston property manager for flexibility.

Sloane Realty Property Management & Sales Services

Sloane Realty provides the following comprehensive property management services in the Charleston rental market:

• Pre-marketing including assessment of the property condition and marketability
• Detailed market analysis to maximize the rent potential
• Marketing including Zillow, Trulia, Hotpads, Homes.com, Realtor.com, Move.com, DoorSteps, Apartments.com, Apartment Finder, ApartmentHomeLiving, RentJungle, Craigslist, and others
• Tenant applications
• Extensive tenant screening including credit reports, criminal background, eviction records, and judgment history
• Rent collection
• Owner payout disbursements
• All bills payments
• Move-in and move-out inspections
• Handling maintenance requests
• Maintenance work managing
• Lease renewals
• Move-outs
• Financial reporting
• Year-end 1099s
• Eviction processes

Sloane Realty Property Management & Sales Locations

The services offered by Sloane Realty Property Management & Sales are available in:

• Charleston
• Columbia
• Downtown Charleston
• Goose Creek
• James Island
• Johns Island
• Hanahan
• Ladson
• Moncks Corner
• Mount Pleasant
• North Charleston
• Ravenel
• Ridgeville
• Summerville
• Walterboro
• West Ashley

Sloane Realty Property Management & Sales Property Types

Sloane Realty focuses on the management of residential properties rented out on a long-term basis. They also work with some short-term rentals.

Sloane Realty Property Management & Sales Costs

Sloane Realty, known for its flexibility, offers three distinct service packages designed to cater to the varying needs of property investors in Charleston.

The Silver plan is geared towards covering all the basic services essential for managing a rental property. It includes a monthly management fee of 10% of the monthly rent, a leasing commission of 35% of one month’s rent, and a lease renewal commission of $100. Additional services under this plan include professional marketing photos at $75, a technology fee of $45 per year, an annual condition report at $55 per year, routine repairs using a home warranty costing $55, and an animal protection multiplier of $10.

The Gold plan builds upon the Silver plan by offering discounted fees for some additional services. This plan has a monthly management fee of 12% of the monthly rent and a reduced leasing commission of 12% of one month’s rent. The fees for professional marketing photos, the technology fee, the annual condition report, routine repairs using a home warranty, and the animal protection multiplier remain the same as in the Silver plan.

The most comprehensive package, the Platinum plan, includes everything available in the Gold plan, with some additional services incorporated into the monthly fee. The monthly management fee for the Platinum plan is set at $499. The technology fee, annual condition report fee, and routine repairs using a home warranty fee are consistent with the other plans.

These diverse plans from Sloane Realty offer a range of options for investors, from basic property management services to more comprehensive packages, demonstrating why they are a top choice for property management flexibility in Charleston.

Sloane Realty Property Management & Sales Terms

The website of Sloane Realty Property Management & Realty does not offer a copy of the management agreement. Thus, investors need to ask for it to know if this is the most appropriate Charleston property management company for their needs.

Sloane Realty Property Management & Sales Reviews

Over 800 property owners and renters have written online reviews of Sloane Realty Property Management & Sales. These reviews show very positive overall experiences.

You can find Sloane Realty Property Management & Sales reviews on:

• Birdeye: Currently 4.2/5 stars based on 458 reviews
• Google: Currently 4.3/5 stars based on 337 reviews
• Yelp: Currently 2.0/5 stars based on 26 reviews

Happy landlords and renters discuss the impeccable services, the exceptional management, the ability to navigate through complicated situations, the attention to customer needs, the knowledge of the staff, and the extremely responsive and helpful team members. Unhappy customers highlight poorly maintained properties, horrible processes, unprofessional attitudes, withholding of security deposits, and the absence of prompt communication.

How to Get Started with Sloane Realty Property Management & Sales

To get started with the best property management company in Charleston for flexible options, property owners can submit an online form via the Sloane Realty Property Management & Sales website to schedule a free consultation.

PURE Property Management of South Carolina: Best for Landlord Protection

PURE Property Management is the fastest growing residential property management and technology company in the US. Joseph Polverari and Michael Catalano founded the company in 2020, with headquarters in Los Gatos, CA. The company operates through a network of branches in multiple markets in the US. PURE Property Management of South Carolina is the only Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC) in South Carolina. The company offers more guarantees to property owners than other property managers in the Charleston market, which makes it the best choice for landlord protection.

PURE Property Management of South Carolina Services

PURE provides full-service property management in Charleston including:

• Property competitive pricing
• Aggressive marketing including online strategies, professional yard signs, local resources, and networks
• Showings
• Thorough and rigorous tenant screening
• Lease signing
• Move-in inspections
• Rent collection
• Communication
• Handling repairs requests
• Maintenance work ranging from simple repairs to extensive remodeling via licensed, insured, and bonded vendors
• Financial reporting
• Detailed accounting statements

In addition to comprehensive property management services, PURE offers multiple guarantees, exceeding the protections provided by other best rental property management companies in Charleston. That’s why they are the best local property manager for landlord guarantees. These guarantees include:

• Leasing Guarantee: The company will not charge a marketing fee if a tenant leaves before the end of the initial lease terms.
• Pet Guarantee: PURE Property Management of South Carolina will cover up to $2,000 in pet damage above the security deposit amount for pets approved by them.
• Maintenance Guarantee: The property manager guarantees maintenance services performed by their in-house maintenance company for 1 year for workmanship.
• Satisfaction Guarantee: Property owners can cancel services if they are not fully satisfied and PURE cannot make it right.

PURE Property Management of South Carolina Locations

The PURE market coverage includes:

• Blythewood
• Chapin
• Charleston
• Columbia
• Goose Creek
• Irmo
• Lexington
• Moncks Corner
• Mount Pleasant
• Newberry
• North Charleston
• Orangeburg
• Summerville
• West Columbia

PURE Property Management of South Carolina Property Types

PURE Property Management works with single-family homes rented out on a long-term basis.

PURE Property Management of South Carolina Costs

PURE Property Management provides a straightforward and comprehensive full-service plan, designed to meet the needs of a wide range of property owners and investors.

This plan includes a monthly management fee that is set at 10% of the monthly rent. For leasing services, the fee is 50% of one month’s rent. Additionally, when it comes to lease renewals, a fee of 25% of one month’s rent is charged.

An attractive feature of PURE Property Management's pricing structure is the availability of discounts on the monthly management fee. These discounts are offered to investors who own multiple rental properties, acknowledging the increased business they bring to the company. Moreover, PURE Property Management extends a special discount to active duty military service members, demonstrating their support and appreciation for those serving in the military.

This single, all-encompassing plan, combined with the opportunity for discounts, makes PURE Property Management an appealing option for a variety of clients, from individual property owners to large-scale investors, including those serving in the military.

PURE Property Management of South Carolina Terms

Under the Satisfaction Guarantee, real estate investors are free to cancel the property management agreement at any time if they are not 100% satisfied with the provided services and PURE Property Management of South Carolina cannot make it right.

PURE Property Management of South Carolina Reviews

Only around 20 rental property investors and tenants have reviewed PURE Property Management on third-party websites, which can be explained by the short history of the company. Their reviews show positive experiences.

You can find PURE Property Management reviews on:

• Google: Currently 4.2/5 stars based on 26 reviews

Satisfied property owners and renters praise the fantastic experiences, the fast and easy processes, the wonderful houses, the clear information, the prompt handling of maintenance requests, the detailed and caring team, the great customer service, and the quick communication. Dissatisfied customers write about troublesome processes, subpar maintenance, and poor communication.

How to Get Started with PURE Property Management of South Carolina

To get started with the best property management company in Charleston for landlord protection, rental property investors can fill in an online form on the PURE Property Management of South Carolina website.

Takeaway

Due to the high property prices, investors in the Charleston residential real estate market have to be particularly careful in the management of their rental properties to be profitable. To optimize performance without turning real estate investing into a full-time job, owners can resort to hiring one of the best property management companies in Charleston. HomeRiver Group and Awning are the best property managers for long-term and short-term rentals, respectively. The Charleston Property Company is the top option for single-family homes and condos, while CREC Property Management is ideal for different property types. Investors who enjoy flexibility should consider Sloane Realty Property Management & Sales, and landlords who value guarantees and protection should check out PURE Property Management of South Carolina.