South Carolina is home to many picturesque lakes, perfect for vacation or permanent housing. Some of these lakes offer real estate with great ROI potential and steady rates compared to other housing options. Whether you want a getaway home or a solid investment, these properties are great choices.

The 4 most beautiful and advantageous lakes in South Carolina to buy lakefront homes are Lakes Greenwood, Hartwell, Lanier, and Keowee. Among these Lakes, Hartwell and Keowee offer high ROI properties, while Lake Lanier offers the best properties to live in.

To help you choose your perfect lakeside house, I’ll talk briefly about each lake and analyze the real estate markets. I’ll be focusing on the key advantages of buying property on each lake, so you can find exactly what you need.

Lake Greenwood

Lake Greenwood is a man-made lake between Laurens, Greenwood, and Newberry counties. It’s a quiet, serene 4,600-hectare lake surrounded by 212 miles of shoreline, and never assaulted by rambunctious crowds. The lake provides opportunities for water skiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, and boating.

In December 2022, the median list price for housing options around Lake Greenwood is $284,900. The median list price for new listings is $5,590 higher, with the possibility of a further rise. However, properties close to the lake will cost significantly higher, from $466,229 to $675,000. The MAI score right now is set at 28, which makes the market slightly in the buyers' favor.

Lake Greenwood is a great option if you’re looking for a quiet place after retirement or a second home you’ll spend a lot of time on. As in investment, you shouldn’t expect much ROI considering the repairs you’ll have to do over time, and the median rent is only $1,400.

Lake Hartwell

Lake Hartwell is one of the most luxurious options in South Carolina to buy lakefront homes. Located near Anderson, it’s much larger than Lake Greenwood, covering up to 56,000 acres. According to local real estate agent Constance Kilgore, it’s owned and maintained by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and is immensely popular for swimming, water skiing, boating, and wakeboarding. Unlike many other lakes, this lake permits fishing.

Because of rigorous lake management and conditions, a 4-bed, 3-bath house close to the lake can reach up to $1,475,000. The median price for lakeside housing in December 2022 is $299,550. Thankfully new listings have a median price of around $18,000 lower, forecasting a lowering price in the coming months. The MAI score is set at 35, making this market favor the sellers slightly.

Lakeside properties have stable or rising value, and luxury properties can sell for high prices. You can also make $100 to $442 or higher per night on Airbnb. As a second home that you intend to live in, it’s far from the optimal choice.

Lake Lanier

Lake Lanier is on the smaller side when compared to other lakes in South Carolina. It’s a 130-acre mountain lake constructed by Tryon Development Company in Greenville County with only 6 miles of shoreline. While it’s only 50 feet deep at its deepest point, it’s still a great place for fishing, swimming, and kayaking. 

Lake Lanier’s houses are mostly bought up, and only a few can be found for sale. These properties are right near the water’s edge and offer a brilliant view of the lake and the surrounding mountain range. Depending on the proximity, houses will cost from $449,500 to $1,000,000. 

Lake Lanier has the most peaceful and quiet space among all South Carolina lakes. Over 300 families call this lake their home. More than half the houses are managed by the Lake Lanier Civic Association, which is a small community full of hospitable and kind people. Almost all the houses are right by the lake, so if you want a lakeside home to live in, you won’t find any better option.

Lake Keowee

Lake Keowee is a 49,919-acre man-made lake owned by Duke Power. It offers highly developed lots across 18,500 acres with breathtaking mountain views. Its clear water offers opportunities to scuba dive along with every other aquatic recreational activity and is a popular destination for family vacations.

Properties on Lake Keowee are highly developed, luxury properties that top the amenities and price of Lake Hartwell’s real estate. Depending on size, amenities, and proximity to the lake houses can range from $375,000 to $4,500,000 and higher. The median list price in December 2022 is $730000, with the new median list price being $12,600 more.