The Myrtle Beach Grand Strand — 60 miles of Atlantic coastline, massive tourism infrastructure, and one of the fastest-growing counties in South Carolina. Horry County's coastal areas carry very high hurricane and flood exposure that makes ownership-intent bidding complex on most beachfront and near-shore parcels. The inland county — Conway, Loris, and surrounding communities — offers more viable ownership opportunities alongside the coastal income play that characterizes most of the county's lien market.
Horry County's Delinquent Tax Collector holds one of South Carolina's largest annual tax sales each October. The county's population growth and large vacation/investment property market generate significant lien volume — typically among the highest in SC. Register with the Delinquent Tax Collector well before October. With 8,000–12,000 parcels, the list is large — prioritize your target parcels and complete all due diligence before auction day.
Horry County was significantly impacted by Hurricane Florence (2018) and Dorian (2019). Many properties that were not in official FEMA AE zones still flooded. Before bidding any coastal or near-coastal Horry County parcel with ownership intent: check FEMA flood zone, research Florence flood inundation maps, estimate flood insurance cost, and verify wind mitigation insurance cost. For many beachfront and near-shore parcels, the income play is the only viable strategy.
Horry County has two meaningfully different lien markets. Coastal / Grand Strand (Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach) — high competition, compressed rates, income play focus; flood risk makes ownership path difficult on most parcels. Inland Horry (Conway, Loris, Aynor, Galivants Ferry) — lower competition, better win rates, more viable ownership path; working-class communities with genuine housing demand from county service workers.
Working-class residential market, 12 miles from the beach. Conway Medical Center and county government employment base. Lower competition than coastal areas. More viable ownership economics. Florence flooding affected some low-lying Conway areas — verify individual parcel elevation.
78%+ redemption rates across coastal lien inventory. Tourism demand keeps property values high and owners motivated to redeem. Income play at 5–8% works consistently. Ownership path complex given flood/wind costs — most experienced investors stay on the income side in coastal Myrtle Beach.
Rural inland communities with lower competition and rates approaching 10–12%. Working-class and agricultural. More limited market demand than Conway but genuine housing market exists. Research specific parcel proximity to flood-prone waterways before bidding.
Suburban Grand Strand areas between Myrtle Beach and Surfside. Mix of vacation property and permanent residential. Flood risk varies significantly by specific parcel. Research Florence flood inundation maps before any ownership-intent bid in these areas.
Parts of Conway near the Waccamaw River flooded severely during Florence. Even inland Conway parcels near the river or in low-lying subdivisions require careful Florence flood map research before bidding with ownership intent.
Very high hurricane wind and storm surge risk. Wind mitigation insurance required in addition to flood insurance. Annual insurance costs on oceanfront properties can be extraordinary. Income play only — ownership requires specialized coastal property insurance analysis well beyond standard FEMA flood checks.
| County seat | Conway (12 miles inland from Myrtle Beach) |
| Population | ~384,000 — one of SC's fastest-growing counties |
| Grand Strand | 60+ miles of Atlantic coastline — tourism, retirement, and investment property market |
| Annual lien parcels | ~8,000–12,000 (among the largest in SC) |
| Max interest rate | 12% per annum (SC Code § 12-51) |
| Typical win rate | 4–8% coastal; up to 10% inland Conway/Loris |
| Auction month | October |
| Redemption period | 12 months from date of sale |
| Hurricane history | Florence (2018) — catastrophic inland flooding; Dorian (2019) — additional coastal impact |
| Coastal flood risk | Very High — check FEMA maps AND SC EMD Florence inundation maps |
| Primary strategy | Income play coastal; ownership viable in Conway and inland communities with verified flood safety |
| Delinquent Tax Collector | horrycountysc.gov/delinquent-tax → |
| Governing statute | SC Code § 12-51 → |
Annual October sale information, property lists, registration requirements, and deposit procedures. One of SC's largest annual sales — register early.
horrycountysc.gov/delinquent-tax →Property assessments, ownership records, and parcel data for both coastal and inland Horry County properties.
horrycountysc.gov/assessor →Check FEMA flood zone before bidding any parcel. AE and VE zones require mandatory flood insurance. Do this step first, before any other diligence.
msc.fema.gov →Research Florence (2018) actual flood extents for Horry County. Areas that flooded in Florence but are outside official FEMA AE zones remain at real flood risk.
scemd.org/florence →Research wind mitigation insurance requirements and costs for coastal Horry County properties. Oceanfront properties require separate wind/hail coverage beyond standard flood insurance.
scwind.com →Deed history, mortgages, IRS liens, and all recorded encumbrances. Identify all parties needing month-11 certified notice for any ownership-intent certificate.
horrycountysc.gov/register-of-deeds →Federal liens survive SC's tax sale. Search county records for IRS filings before bidding any commercial or investment property parcel.
irs.gov/liens →Parcel maps, aerial imagery, and zoning data. Use alongside FEMA and SC EMD maps to assess flood exposure for target parcels.
horrycountysc.gov/gis →Find a South Carolina real estate attorney for ownership-path certificates. Month-11 notice and quiet title process require SC-licensed counsel.
scbar.org/find-a-lawyer →Estimate annual flood insurance costs before bidding any coastal parcel with ownership intent. High-risk zone premiums can make coastal SC ownership financially unworkable.
floodsmart.gov →South Carolina's governing statute — bid format, 12% max rate, 12-month redemption, month-11 notice requirement, and tax deed procedures.
scstatehouse.gov/code →Model income returns on coastal certificates and ownership-path returns on Conway/inland parcels. Factor in flood insurance costs on any ownership-intent parcel.
ROI Calculator →Income play coastal or Conway ownership path — run the numbers including hurricane insurance costs.