Charleston Market
Charleston is South Carolina's economic crown jewel. The Port of Charleston — the 10th-largest container port in America and the fastest-growing on the East Coast — drives logistics, warehousing, and distribution. Downtown Charleston is consistently ranked a top US tourism destination with $10B+ in annual tourism spending.
MUSC Health is the state's largest healthcare employer. The hospitality industry is enormous — King Street, East Bay, and the historic district support hundreds of restaurants, hotels, and retail businesses. Downtown commercial real estate is the hottest market in the Southeast with rapid appreciation.
For Charleston business owners, speed is everything. CRE opportunities in the historic district disappear in days. Restaurant spaces on King Street don't wait for bank financing. Construction demand from tourism infrastructure, port expansion, and residential growth is constant.
Real Results
Real financing scenarios for Charleston businesses through our lender network.
$5.8M acquisition of a 32,000 sq ft mixed-use building in downtown Charleston. Ground-floor retail plus 12 boutique hotel rooms. Capital stack: $3.8M SBA 504, $1.5M conventional, $500K renovation. DSCR: 1.51x.
$5.8M capital stack → downtown Charleston → 24 days
$750K for a restaurant group opening on King Street. Full buildout + equipment + working capital. Part of Charleston's thriving food scene.
$750K funded → 10% down → King Street open
$2M medical practice acquisition near MUSC campus. 8 providers, $3.2M annual revenue. SBA 7(a) with 10% down.
$2M funded → 10% down → MUSC area practice
$1.5M line of credit for a commercial contractor working on downtown Charleston renovation projects. Mobilization capital and payroll bridging across 3 active sites.
$1.5M LOC → downtown projects → 3 sites active
“Downtown Charleston properties move fast. I had a 32,000 sq ft mixed-use building under contract and my bank wanted 90 days. Basecamp structured a $5.8M capital stack across three products and closed in 24 days. That building would have gone to someone else.”
— Commercial property investor, Charleston SC
Get Started
One application — 60 seconds. 70+ lenders compete. Your dedicated specialist presents your best options.
Slide to your average monthly bank deposits.
Estimated Approval Range
Based on 100-150% of monthly revenue
No hard credit pull · No obligation · Estimate only
Industries We Fund
$10B+ annual tourism economy. Hotels, event venues, tours, entertainment.
🍽️King Street, East Bay, historic district. Charleston's food scene is nationally ranked.
🏗️Tourism infrastructure, port expansion, downtown renovation, residential growth.
🦷MUSC Health, Roper St. Francis. Medical practice acquisitions and equipment.
🚛Port of Charleston logistics. Container transport, freight, distribution.
🏢Hottest CRE market in the Southeast. Mixed-use, hospitality, retail.
Market Data
Key business cost metrics for Charleston, SC.
| Category | Charleston Data |
|---|---|
| Commercial Rent | $28–$55/sq ft (office) · $8–$14/sq ft (industrial) |
| Average Wages | $62,800 median household income |
| Permits & Licensing | $400–$5,000+ depending on project scope |
| Commercial Property Prices | $200–$450/sq ft (commercial office downtown) |
Why Basecamp
Here's why Charleston business owners choose Basecamp over their local bank.
| Category | Traditional Bank | Basecamp Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Number of lenders | 1 bank, 1 answer | 70+ lenders compete for your business |
| Application time | 60–90 minutes in-branch | 60 seconds online |
| Time to funding | 45–90 days | Same day to 30 days |
| Capital available | Limited to bank's appetite | Capital stacks up to $10M+ |
| Credit requirements | 700+ FICO typical | No minimum — lenders for every profile |
| Specialist support | Loan officer managing 50+ files | Dedicated specialist for your transaction |
Whether you're a growing startup or a multi-million-dollar operation, we match you with the right product and amount.
$10K – $1M
Revenue-based funding for working capital, equipment, and growth. Most fund in 1–3 days.
See What You Qualify For →$1M – $5M
Structured financing with capital stacking. Dedicated commercial specialist.
Talk to a Commercial Specialist →$5M – $10M+
Complex transactions. Multi-lender capital stacks. Acquisitions, CRE, fleet buildouts.
Request a Financing Review →Recommended Products
The most popular funding types for businesses in Charleston. Each links to a detailed product page.
Charleston's CRE market is booming. SBA 504 and conventional mortgages with 10% down.
View Product Details →Lowest rates for restaurant buildouts, practice acquisitions, and mixed-use property.
View Product Details →Bridge seasonal tourism cash flow. Fund in 1–3 days.
View Product Details →Flexible capital for contractors managing multiple downtown renovation projects.
View Product Details →FAQ
Our team works with Charleston business owners who understand that this market moves fast. The restaurant owners opening on King Street, the investors acquiring downtown mixed-use properties, the contractors renovating historic buildings — they all need capital faster than Charleston banks are willing to move. This is a city where commercial real estate opportunities disappear in days, not months.
Here's what works in Charleston: capital stacking. A $5.8M downtown mixed-use acquisition doesn't have to come from one bank. SBA 504 handles the building, conventional financing covers the gap, and renovation capital finishes the project. Three lenders, optimized rates, one application. For restaurant owners building out on King Street, SBA 7(a) at 10% down means you keep your cash for operations. Run your numbers through our loan cost calculator to see what the payments look like.
Bobby Friel
Founder, Basecamp Funding
One application. 70+ lenders compete. Your dedicated specialist presents your best options.
No credit impact · No obligation · 60 seconds
