Grand Strand Real Estate Investor Due Diligence Checklist

Use this checklist before committing capital to a Grand Strand investment property. The goal is not to eliminate risk. The goal is to identify the risks you are actually being paid to take.

Legal use and rental rules

• Confirm zoning and jurisdiction.
• Verify short-term or long-term rental eligibility.
• Read HOA or condominium documents.
• Check lease minimums, rental caps and registration requirements.
• Confirm bedroom count and unit count are legal.

Association review

• Current dues and all recurring fees
• Budget and reserve information
• Recent meeting minutes
• Pending or recent special assessments
• Insurance responsibilities
• Litigation or major planned projects when disclosed

Insurance and hazard exposure

• Property-specific homeowners or landlord quote
• Wind and hail coverage
• Flood-zone review and flood quote when relevant
• Deductibles
• Loss-of-rent coverage
• Condo master-policy gaps

Physical condition

• Roof
• HVAC
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Water heater
• Windows and exterior
• Moisture and drainage
• Appliances and furnishings

Income verification

• Executed leases or rental statements
• Trailing monthly revenue where available
• Occupancy history
• Management statements
• Comparable rents
• Concessions and owner-use dates

Expense verification

• Taxes
• Insurance
• HOA
• Utilities
• Management
• Cleaning
• Landscaping or pool service
• Pest control
• Repairs and capital reserves

Financing

• Loan classification matches intended use
• Rate and points
• Required reserves
• Prepayment terms
• Debt-service coverage requirements if applicable

Exit strategy

Identify at least two plausible future buyer types. If the property only works under one narrow set of assumptions, price that risk into the acquisition.

Bring the appropriate professionals into the process for legal, tax, insurance, inspection, financing, zoning and property-management questions. Good investing is collaborative due diligence, not heroic guessing.