Aiken County, South Carolina

Tax Lien179,245 residents

County research last verified 2026-07. Office holders, platforms, and deposit rules change — re-confirm anything time-sensitive.

Sale typestate default

Tax Lien

Redemption periodstate default

1 year from sale (12 months)

Investor returnstate default

3–12% per annum depending on when redeemed, tiered quarterly

Governing statutestate default

South Carolina Code Title 12, Ch. 51

Notes

South Carolina redeemable tax-deed county. Aiken County Delinquent Tax Collector holds an annual Delinquent Tax Sale generally in November (2026 sale details posted on/after September 1, 2026 per county page). Distinct from Master-in-Equity monthly judicial foreclosure sales (first Monday ~11:00 a.m.) which are not tax sales. Twelve-month redemption under SC Code §12-51-90 for defaulting taxpayer, grantees, or mortgage/judgment creditors. Certified funds for redemptions. Sold AS IS.

Auction logistics

Format

In-person

Frequency

Annually in November (confirm exact date when 2026 packet posts ~Sept 1); not the monthly Master-in-Equity docket

Platform

Aiken County Delinquent Tax Collector — Annual Delinquent Tax Sale ↗

Deposit rules

Full payment typically required day of sale in certified funds per SC tax-sale practice (confirm 2026 bidder packet). Pre-registration often required; no sale-day tax payoffs after published deadline. Redemption within 12 months: certified funds/cash/cashier’s check/money order (or attorney/mortgage checks) payable to Aiken County Tax Collector with proper ID. Defaulting bidder penalties under SC Code §12-51-70. Do not request bid amounts or overage info during redemption except as statute allows.

Title risk

Liens that survive the sale

SC tax sale subject to one-year redemption. Federal tax liens and some governmental interests can survive. Proper Title 12 Chapter 51 process generally affects junior mortgages — verify notice quality and run full title. HOA and municipal liens need independent search.

Quiet title

After redemption expires and tax deed issues, quiet title is commonly used for insurable marketable title.

Deal maths for South Carolina

Assessment ratio: 0.06× of market value
Typical quiet title: $1,800–$5,000 · 5 mo
Recording and transfer: $250

S.C. Code § 12-43-220(e): all other real property not otherwise provided for is assessed at six percent of fair market value. South Carolina assesses by property class rather than by county — 4% legal residence (c), 4% agricultural held by individuals (d)(1)(A), 6% agricultural held by corporations (d)(1)(B), 10.5% manufacturing and utility (a)(1).

Offices and records

Tax collector

Aiken County Delinquent Tax Collector ↗

Clerk of court

Aiken County Clerk of Court / Register of Deeds ↗

Property appraiser

Aiken County Assessor ↗

GIS / parcel map

Aiken County GIS / parcel map resources ↗

Areas trending up

Directional read from dated market analysis — not a guarantee, and not a substitute for your own comps.

North Augusta / Riverfront

Augusta metro cross-river growth with retail and SF demand into 2026

Aiken / downtown historic core

Equestrian tourism and downtown revitalization supporting liquid higher-end inventory

Graniteville / Hitchock Parkway edge

Workforce housing near industrial employers with relative value versus North Augusta