What Coastal Living Realty Does and How to Work With Them

Coastal Living Realty is a property management company serving South Carolina's coastal regions

Coastal Living Realty handles rental properties, tenant placement, and maintenance coordination for owners across South Carolina's coastal areas. They manage single-family homes, condos, and small multifamily properties, typically in communities near the beach or waterfront. If you own rental property in a coastal South Carolina town and need someone to find tenants, collect rent, or arrange repairs, Coastal Living Realty is one company to contact for a management proposal.

Property management companies like Coastal Living Realty sit between property owners and tenants. They advertise vacant units, screen applicants, handle lease signing, collect monthly rent, respond to maintenance requests, and sometimes handle evictions or lease enforcement. The owner pays them a percentage of monthly rent—often 8 to 12 percent—in exchange for these services.

Key Takeaways

• Coastal Living Realty manages residential rental properties in South Carolina's coastal communities and handles tenant placement, rent collection, and maintenance coordination.
• Property managers charge a percentage of monthly rent, typically 8 to 12 percent, plus possible fees for leasing, maintenance markup, or vacancy periods.
• Before signing with any property manager, compare their fee structure, tenant screening process, maintenance response times, and communication methods in writing.
• South Carolina property managers must follow state landlord-tenant law, fair housing rules, and local rental ordinances, which vary by city and county.

What services Coastal Living Realty typically offers

Most coastal property managers, including Coastal Living Realty, offer a core set of services. Tenant placement includes advertising the property, showing it to prospects, running background and credit checks, and preparing the lease. Rent collection means receiving monthly payments and tracking them. Maintenance coordination involves responding to tenant repair requests, getting quotes from contractors, authorizing work, and paying invoices. Some managers also handle evictions, lease renewals, and tenant communication.

The scope of service varies by contract. Some owners want the manager to handle everything; others want only tenant placement and rent collection, handling maintenance themselves. Ask Coastal Living Realty directly what is included in their standard package and what costs extra. Common add-ons include property inspections, HOA coordination, utilities setup, or turnover cleaning between tenants.

How fees work with property managers

Coastal Living Realty charges a management fee—usually a percentage of the monthly rent collected, often between 8 and 12 percent. A $1,200 monthly rent might cost $96 to $144 per month in management fees. This fee covers the core services: tenant placement, rent collection, and basic maintenance coordination.

Beyond the management percentage, ask about other costs. Leasing fees (charged when a new tenant moves in) may be one month's rent or a flat amount. Maintenance work often includes a markup—the manager pays the contractor and bills you at a higher rate. Vacancy periods may be charged differently: some managers waive fees during vacancy, others charge a reduced rate. Get the full fee schedule in writing before you sign, and ask for examples of what a typical month costs and what a turnover month (when a tenant leaves and a new one arrives) costs.

Comparing Coastal Living Realty to other options

South Carolina has many property management companies, from large regional firms to independent managers handling 10 to 20 properties. Coastal Living Realty competes on service, local knowledge, and responsiveness. Before choosing any manager, get proposals from at least two or three companies. Ask each one the same questions: What is your management fee? What is your leasing fee? How quickly do you respond to maintenance requests? How do you screen tenants? What is your average vacancy rate? How often do you communicate with owners?

Some owners manage their own properties to avoid fees entirely. This works if you live near the property, have time to show units and handle calls, and are comfortable with tenant law and evictions. Most owners find that a manager's cost is worth the time saved and the reduced risk of legal mistakes. Others use a hybrid approach: a manager handles tenant placement and rent collection, but the owner arranges and pays for maintenance directly.

What to ask Coastal Living Realty before signing

Request a written management agreement that spells out fees, services, communication frequency, and how either party can end the contract. Ask how they screen tenants—do they run credit reports, criminal background checks, and employment verification? What is their eviction process if a tenant stops paying? How do they handle emergency maintenance (burst pipes, no heat) versus routine repairs? Do they have a preferred contractor list, and do those contractors offer discounts?

Ask about their communication style. Do they send monthly statements? Can you check the property status online? How quickly do they respond to your calls or emails? What happens if you disagree with a maintenance decision or a tenant screening choice? Can you terminate the contract early if you are unhappy, and what does that cost? Get references from other property owners they manage for, and call at least two to ask about their experience.

South Carolina rental law and property manager responsibilities

Property managers in South Carolina must follow state landlord-tenant law, which covers security deposits, lease terms, maintenance standards, and eviction procedures. South Carolina requires landlords (and their managers) to return security deposits within 30 days of move-out, minus documented deductions. Managers must keep security deposits in a separate account, not mixed with operating funds. Rental properties must meet basic habitability standards: working plumbing, heat, and electrical systems.

Fair housing law applies to tenant screening and placement. Managers cannot discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status. South Carolina also has local rental ordinances—some coastal cities require rental licenses, limit short-term rentals, or set rules about noise and guest policies. Coastal Living Realty should know the rules in each town where they manage properties. If you own property in multiple coastal communities, confirm that the manager understands each location's specific requirements.

How to get your free guide with a property manager

Contact Coastal Living Realty directly—by phone, email, or their website—and ask for a management proposal. Provide details about your property: address, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, current rent (or market rent if vacant), and what services you need. They will send a proposal with their fee structure and service agreement. Review it carefully, compare it to proposals from other managers, and ask questions about anything unclear.

If you decide to move forward, you will sign a management agreement, usually for one year with renewal options. Provide the manager with a copy of any existing lease, utility account information, and contact details for contractors or vendors you want to keep. They will then take over advertising, tenant placement, and rent collection. Stay in regular contact with your manager and review monthly statements to track income and expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if Coastal Living Realty finds a tenant but the property needs repairs before move-in?

Most managers coordinate repairs before a tenant takes possession. They will get quotes, present them to you for approval, and arrange the work. You pay for repairs from your account; the manager does not pay out of pocket. Agree in advance on who approves repairs under a certain dollar amount (for example, you approve anything over $500) to avoid delays.

Can I switch property managers if I am unhappy?

Yes, but check your contract for the notice period and any early termination fees. Most agreements require 30 to 60 days' notice. When you switch, the new manager will take over rent collection and tenant communication. Make sure the transition is clear to your tenant so rent goes to the right place.

Does Coastal Living Realty handle short-term rentals like Airbnb?

Some property managers do; others focus only on long-term leases. Ask directly. Short-term rental management involves more frequent turnovers, different tenant screening, and compliance with local short-term rental rules, which vary widely across South Carolina's coastal towns. Fees for short-term management are usually higher.

What if my tenant stops paying rent?

The manager will typically send a notice to pay or quit, then file for eviction if the tenant does not pay. South Carolina eviction cases go through district court and take several weeks. The manager handles the paperwork and court appearance, but you may need to appear as well. Eviction costs (court fees, attorney fees if used) come from your account. Ask the manager upfront what their eviction process is and what it costs.

How do I know if the manager's fees are fair?

Compare proposals from multiple managers in your area. Ask other property owners what they pay. South Carolina does not set standard rates, so fees vary by company and location. Coastal property management in busy tourist areas may cost more than management in quieter towns. A lower fee is not always better if the service is poor; a higher fee is not always worth it if the manager is slow to respond.