20 Years of Dedication and Partnership: The Story Behind Houses and Then Some

This year, Houses & Then Some Rentals & Realty celebrates a remarkable milestone: 20 years in business. At the heart of this success story is a fantastic team of individuals, working together with a shared vision of a thriving business. Through hard work, trust and a commitment to excellence, they’ve built more than just a company, they’ve built a legacy.

In honor of this special anniversary, we are sitting down with Robert Dayton, to learn more about the journey shared, the challenges they overcame and the passion that drives them to this day.

From Fix-and-Flips to Property Management: A Business Born from Necessity

In the early 2000s, Houses & Then Some Rentals & Realty started as a fix-and-flip company. The real estate market was booming, and the business found success in renovating and selling properties. But when the recession hit, everything changed.

“I remember getting calls from friends and fellow investors,” Robert recalls. “They couldn’t sell their properties, and they knew we were having success renting out our own. They started asking if we could manage theirs too.”

Recognizing a need in the market, Robert and his team stepped up. They got licensed, built out a rental division and shifted their focus. That pivot became the foundation of long-term success.

The First Big Win: A Turning Point in the Journey

The early years were tough. “We almost didn’t make it. For the first seven years or so, we were barely surviving,” Robert admits. “We were the new kid on the block, trying to establish ourselves in a competitive industry.”

Perseverance paid off. Referrals started rolling in, and Houses & Then Some Rentals & Realty became known for its integrity and results. The company joined key real estate networking groups like UCREIA and GGAR, which expanded opportunities.

A few key milestones marked HTSI’s growth:

• 2014: The launch of the Realty division
• 2020: Moving into their new office—ironically, a foreclosure property they rehabbed
• 2024: Recognized by Inc. 5000 for outstanding growth

Each step solidified Houses & Then Some Rentals & Realty’s place in the market and deepened its commitment to serving investors.

Overcoming Challenges: Creativity, Capital,and Commitment

Like any business, HTSI faced its share of challenges. The aftermath of the recession made securing capital difficult. Growth required extreme creativity— we leveraged investment strategies, we took risks, we got creative with financing and learned new processes through trial and error. It was a challenging time, but we learned so much.

“We didn’t just figure out how to survive; we learned how to help our clients grow, too,” Robert shares. “Today, we use those same strategies to help investors build and expand their portfolios.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of HTSI

So, what’s next for HTSI?

“We’re focused on expanding geographically—giving our clients more opportunities to grow with us,” says Robert. “Right now, we serve six counties in the Upstate of South Carolina, and we’re looking forward to even greater reach.”

But even as the company grows, HTSI remains committed to what matters most: staying true to its core values, credo and delivering a human touch in real estate. “We answer our phones. We show properties in person”, says Robert. “We believe in being a human company. That’s what sets us apart.”

Join Us in Celebrating 20 Years!

As Houses & Then Some Rentals & Realty marks this incredible milestone, we want to thank everyone who has been part of this journey—clients, team members and the community. You’ve made this possible.

Have a memory or story about working with us? We’d love to hear it! Drop a comment on social media or reach out—we’d love to connect.

Here’s to the next 20 years!