Living In

Saturday, October 16, 2021

Your Spartanburg, SC Real Estate Questions Answered

The Appalachian foothills are rich in natural beauty, friendly people, and diverse career opportunities. In Spartanburg, SC, this bounty is at its peak. Living here places mountain recreation at your doorstep while you benefit from the city’s urban development and the modern conveniences it brings. For those interested in living in Spartanburg, you’ve picked a great place that suits a range of lifestyles.

Are you wondering about the real estate market in Spartanburg? Gain information about the homes in Spartanburg and what life is like. Some common questions about Spartanburg, SC, real estate:

What is the average home price in Spartanburg, SC?

In July 2024, there were 206 real estate listings. For the homes for sale in Spartanburg, the median list price was $268,360, up 4% year-over-year. The median home prices have been trending upward over a decade, with more notable growth since around mid-2019. Still, pricing growth seems to have stabilized since January 2023. It’s also well above the national average of $412,300 at that time.

The lowest-priced property on the Spartanburg Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in August 2024 was a vacant lot listed at $3,599. At the high end of the market was farm inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, on the market for $4.5M. It had five bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, and over 10,000 square feet on 48 acres of property.

EZ Home Search updates its database every 15 minutes with new and current listings for the most recent information on Spartanburg real estate.

Are there any condos or townhomes available in Spartanburg, SC?

Yes, you can find condominium and townhome properties in Spartanburg. These properties are not as plentiful on the market as single-family homes. In August 2024, only 11 condominiums were actively for sale. Prices of homes at lower end of the market started at $125,000 for three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. The high-end had a condo listing for $244,500 with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. It was across the street from Converse University. A local real estate agent can help you find the right condominium or townhouse property.

What are the neighborhoods in Spartanburg, SC?

Not only do you get a low cost of housing in the Spartanburg real estate market, but you also gain some incredible neighborhoods. As you start your home search, here a few friendly and well-maintained neighborhoods you’ll see pop up:

Hampton Heights: A downtown historic district with residences dating to the 19th century. Eclectic styles add to its charm. Residents live near Morgan Square, and two parks are in the neighborhood.
Converse Heights: A beautiful location with historic homes built in a bungalow and craftsmen architectural style. Expect mature trees on generous lots. It has no homeowner’s association. Families are within walking distance of an elementary school.
Fernwood: a midcentury-developed neighborhood that blends the ranch style with contemporary design styles. It’s beside the Cottonwood Trail system, Griffin Nature Preserve, and Spartanburg High School. All your essential shops are right on Main Street.
Duncan Park: Developed in the 1930s, it has incredible outdoor recreation access with a lake and trails. The featured park has mountain bike trails, playgrounds, and an ampitheater. Housing styles range from traditional to split-levels.
Woodland Heights: About four miles from downtown with a suburban feel and easy public school access. Interstate 26 is nearby for easier commuting, and it’s convenient for shopping.
Wadsworth Hills: A 1960s master-planned community set in rolling hills and valleys. Find interesting tri-level and ranch homes. Retail and Interstate-26 form the borders.
Grain District: This area, which has a rich history in Spartanburg, has been redeveloped over the last decade. Textile mills are giving away to new businesses, while a stadium and nightlife are encouraging people to visit. It could be a neighborhood to check out if you’re a real estate investor.

What are Spartanburg property taxes?

All South Carolina homeowners pay property tax on 4% of the assessed value for a primary residence. For non-primary residential homes, the property tax rate is 6%. Spartanburg County charged a base tax rate of 0.775 in 2023. School district taxes ranged between 0.2077-0.9710. an average effective property tax rate of 0.64%. In 2023, the town of Spartanburg had a 0.1032 millage rate. City residents are also charged a stormwater and residential garbage fee with their taxes. Depending on home’s location and school district, the various special taxing districts charged a millage between 0.00690-0.0143.

Are there any waterfront properties found in Spartanburg, SC?

You can find some waterfront property in Spartanburg, South Carolina. A few streams and creeks that run through the city’s borders and some retaining ponds and lakes. These waterfronts often have parks, which limits the available residential waterfront real estate.

Some notable streams running through Spartanburg include Fairforest Creek, Lawsons Fork, Butterfly Creek, and Halfway Branch. Several other unnamed runs flow into these creeks.

Your best bet for waterfront properties is to look outside the Spartanburg city limits into greater Spartanburg County, where you’ll find the Pacolet, Tyger, and Enoree Rivers, plus assorted lakes and reservoirs.

Is there lakefront or riverfront property in Spartanburg, SC?

Although these listings are rare, you can find some lakefront or riverfront property in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The waterfront on these properties is often not extensive or ideal for out-the-door water recreation. You could cast a line for flyfishing or maybe launch a kayak, but chances of a private dock with a motorized boat are rare. In August 2024, six properties for sale had a waterfront, usually a creek adjoining the back of a property. If you want to find a riverfront home, look in the Park Hills, Highland, Duncan Park, or southwestern areas.

What county is Spartanburg, SC in?

The city of Spartanburg lies in the county of the same name, Spartanburg County. This Upcountry region is known for its rolling hills and the low Appalachian Mountains. It borders North Carolina, Greenville, Cherokee, Laurens, and Union counties. Residents appreciate its affordable cost of living, with an overall 84.8 cost of living index. That makes it less expensive than most South Carolina, which reported an 89.3 overall index score. The local housing market is a big reason why life is more affordable in Spartanburg.

Spartanburg played a pivotal role in historical events, being the site of several Revolutionary War battles. It also served as a commercial and educational center for the Upcounty region. It had a military training camp during World War I and II.

Contemporary Spartanburg has several foreign trade zones that have attracted foreign industries to the area. Industry is vital for the area’s economy. Some leading employers include Denny’s, BMW Manufacturing, Sage Automotive Interiors, Michelin North America, and Amazon.com.

Spartanburg is home to five colleges. For this reason, Spartanburg is known as a college town. Education institutions include Wofford College, Converse College, Spartanburg Community College, University of South Carolina-Upstate, and Spartanburg Methodist College.

As the hub for the entire Spartanburg County and the surrounding region, you’ll find a lot of festivals and events taking place throughout the year when you decide to live in Spartanburg. You also have the most choices locally when it comes to dining and lifestyle amenities.

Is Spartanburg, SC growing?

Yes, Spartanburg is part of a growing area in South Carolina. The good news is that its growth rate is relatively stable. The US Census Data for 2020 showed that Spartanburg had 38,732 residents inside city limits. It added 1,719 new residents since the April 2010 census, a growth rate of 4%.

Looking at Spartanburg County, the local population was 327,997 in April 2020. The county is projected to have 331,200 residents by 2030. An Upstate Alliance study found that most people moving into the Upstate and Spartanburg area are from within South Carolina and other regions in the southeastern United States, such as Georgia and North Carolina. There were also notable gains from Texas and Florida.

What areas are near Spartanburg, SC?

Surrounding Spartanburg are numerous small-town communities and manufacturing hubs for the region. The historic town of Inman is near Lake Bowen, providing the area with water recreation opportunities and a historic Main Street District. Greer is one of the fastest-growing cities in the region. Residents live in the foothills of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains.

Other small-town communities to explore include Boiling Springs, Woodruff, Landrum, Duncan, Campobello, Cowpens, and Pacolet.

If you follow Interstate 85 to the west, you’ll run into the city of Greenville, a popular tourist destination and another jumping-off point for outdoor mountain recreation. If you head east, you’ll land in Gaffney, a town known for its peaches.

Lake Blalock and Lake Bowen are to the north of the city limits. Both lakes are connected to the Pacolet River, providing residents with ample water recreation.

Looking even further beyond, Spartanburg residents can be in the capital, Columbia, in an hour-and-a-half car ride. Charlotte, North Carolina, is approximately the same distance by car.

How is golf in Spartanburg, SC?

If you are interested in keeping your golf skills sharp and enjoy scenic views during your play, Spartanburg has options. Four golf courses are within the city, and another 14 are located within 20 miles of Spartanburg. These include public, semi-private, and private courses.

The Country Club of Spartanburg is a private course just four miles from the city center. Best of all, this is a challenging and championship-level facility, having hosted the Carolinas PGA, Carolinas Open, and SCGA Championship. It has 18 holes and over 6,239 yards of play.

The Creek Golf Club is the highest-rated public course, with 18 holes at 6,653 yards from the back tees. The Carolina Country Club is a private course seven miles from Spartanburg’s center with 18 holes and 6,875 yards. The longest course is at Woodfin Ridge Golf Course at 7,022 yards.

Heddles Hideaway Golf Course is another popular facility in the greater Spartanburg area. George Cobb, creator of Augusta National’s Par-3 course, designed its undulating 18 holes and 6,190 yards of play.

Are there golf course communities in Spartanburg, SC?

If you are interested in a golf course community lifestyle, your best bet is the Woodfin Ridge Community, built around the Woodfin Ridge Golf Club. Some lots overlook the course, while others have waterfront along a creek. The Woodfin Ridge Golf Course clubhouse includes a full-service restaurant, bar & grill, junior Olympic-size swimming pool, playground, and tennis courts.

You can also find some golf course community homes near The Carolina Country Club. The clubhouse also offers tennis, fitness, swimming, and dining options. The nearby homes are in an ungated community but do have fairway views and proximity to the course.