Horry County, South Carolina

Tax Lien413,391 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 (S.C. Code §12-51). Horry County Treasurer Delinquent Tax Department runs an annual live open-bid distressed-property sale (typically early December after three consecutive Thursday newspaper ads in November). 12-month post-sale redemption. Unsold parcels may go to the Forfeited Land Commission. Myrtle Beach / Grand Strand inventory can be competitive; research flood zones and HOA carefully.

Auction logistics

Format

In-person (live open-bid)

Frequency

Annually (typically early December; exact date/time/location in November newspaper ads and county notices)

Platform

Horry County Treasurer — Delinquent Tax Department ↗

Deposit rules

Pre-registration required (online window closes before sale; in-person registration may close earlier — e.g. Nov 2025 online end Fri Nov 21). Registration fee historically ~$25 (confirm current year). Bring ID and funds sufficient for winning bids per published sale rules; default risks sanctions. Contact Delinquent Tax at 843-915-5472 before sale day.

Title risk

Liens that survive the sale

Redeemable tax deed with 12-month redemption (tiered interest typically 3%/6%/9%/12% by quarter under SC practice, confirm current statutory schedule). Federal liens can survive. HOA, municipal liens, and interests of parties not properly noticed may remain. Flood/insurance and short-term rental rules matter on Grand Strand parcels.

Quiet title

After redemption expires, many buyers still pursue quiet title before free-and-clear refinance or institutional resale insurance.

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

Horry County Treasurer — Delinquent Tax ↗

843-915-5472

Clerk of court

Horry County Register of Deeds / Clerk of Court ↗

Property appraiser

Horry County Assessor ↗

GIS / parcel map

Horry 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.

Carolina Forest / Forestbrook

Inland Grand Strand household growth with stronger year-round demand than pure beach strips

North Myrtle Beach / Little River

Tourism and second-home liquidity with entry inventory versus central Myrtle Beach cores

Conway / US-501 corridor

County seat employment and more affordable workforce housing absorption