Foreclosure lis pendens in Horry County, SC: master-in-equity sales, bidding periods and beach condos
In South Carolina, a foreclosure starts as a court case, and the lender usually records a lis pendens with the county when it files. In Horry County, that filing is often the first public sign that an owner in Myrtle Beach, Conway, Surfside Beach or Little River is in trouble, months before any sale.
Horry County is a mix of year-round neighborhoods and beach condos, with county vacancy near 27% because of second homes and rentals. This guide uses Census figures and local search data to compare ZIP codes, explains how a case moves from lis pendens to a master-in-equity sale, and walks through deal math.
From lis pendens to master-in-equity sale in Horry County
South Carolina foreclosures go through the courts, which gives investors time to reach owners.
Lis pendens and complaint
The lender files a foreclosure complaint in circuit court and records a lis pendens, giving public notice that the property is subject to the case.
- Complaint
- Public notice
This is the earliest public sign of distress.
Court process
The owner can respond, negotiate or seek a loan workout. Many cases are referred to the master in equity, who handles the hearing and sale.
- Master in equity
- Hearing
Owners can usually still sell during the case.
Sale and bidding period
After judgment, the property is sold at a public sale. When the lender seeks a deficiency, bidding may stay open for a period after the sale, often 30 days, before the sale is final.
- Public sale
- Bidding period
Check the sale notice for bidding terms.
Tax sales and redemption
When property taxes go unpaid, the county holds a delinquent tax sale. South Carolina generally gives the owner a redemption period, often 12 months, to pay the taxes plus interest and keep the property.
Do not renovate before the redemption period ends.
Questions before buying a Horry County lis pendens property
- 1Who filed the case, a lender or an association?
- 2Has the case been referred to the master in equity?
- 3Is there a sale date or bidding period?
- 4Are there other liens or HOA balances?
- 5Is it a primary home, rental or second home?
- 6What do renovated homes nearby sell for?
Listed and sold 25 properties and personally bought and sold four fix-and-flip properties, all generated from probate leads.
Carolynn Castillo
Realtor & Broker · eXp Realty
How to work foreclosure lis pendens leads in Horry County
- 1
Get filings quickly
Fresh lis pendens leads let you reach owners early in the case, when they have the most options.
- 2
Reach out-of-area owners
Many Horry County condos and second homes belong to owners in other states, so mail and follow-up are often the best ways to reach them.
- 3
Follow up with care
Owners facing foreclosure are often stressed. Clear, respectful follow-up builds trust.
Before you make an offer
- Read the court case
- Run a title and lien search
- Check HOA balances
- Confirm occupancy
- Get insurance quotes
- Pull nearby comparables
Explore resources such as lis pendens leads and off-market property in Horry County.
Shannon Thompson
Investor · Joe Homebuyer of Atlanta
Watch Shannon Thompson share their experience using ForeclosuresDaily.com.
Horry County ZIP codes and lis pendens activity
Recent Census estimates show two markets: the beach and the inland communities.
North Myrtle Beach 29582 and Myrtle Beach 29572
Medians near $414,000 to $427,000 and vacancy near 58% to 64%, mostly condos and second homes.
Myrtle Beach 29575 and Murrells Inlet 29576
Medians near $306,000 to $340,000 and vacancy near 26% to 44%, with many seasonal homes and rentals.
Myrtle Beach 29577
A median near $300,000, owner-occupancy near 60% and vacancy near 28%, with older condos and homes near the beach.
Myrtle Beach 29579 and 29588
Medians near $268,000 to $354,000 and lower vacancy, with year-round neighborhoods west of the beach.
Conway 29526 and 29527
Medians near $218,000 to $253,000 and vacancy near 7% to 8%, with older homes and steady local demand.
Loris 29569, Longs 29568 and Green Sea 29545
Medians near $127,000 to $255,000, with rural homes, manufactured homes and inherited land.
ZIP medians are recent Census estimates and include condos and manufactured homes. Vacancy includes seasonal homes. Price every deal from renovated comparables nearby.
Andrew Litchfield
Webinar host
Andrew Litchfield hosted a ForeclosuresDaily.com monthly webinar for real estate investors.
What Horry County buyers and investors search for
Search data shows heavy use of court and land records. The Horry County public index and land records each draw about 12,100 searches a month.
Foreclosure research is common
Horry County foreclosures draw about 140 searches a month and the master in equity about 170.
Buyers want the beach
Homes for sale in Myrtle Beach draw about 4,400 searches a month and Surfside Beach about 2,900.
Inland areas draw buyers too
Homes for sale in Conway draw about 2,900 searches a month.
- 1Horry County public indexAbout 12,100
- 2Horry County land recordsAbout 12,100
- 3Homes for sale Myrtle Beach SCAbout 4,400
- 4Homes for sale Conway SCAbout 2,900
- 5Homes for sale Surfside Beach SCAbout 2,900
- 6Condos for sale Myrtle BeachAbout 1,600
- 7Homes for sale Little River SCAbout 1,600
- 8Horry County master in equityAbout 170
How investors can use this data
Use public records to find and evaluate deals:
Search volumes are approximate. Figures are recent monthly estimates and change over time. Use them to understand interest, not as exact counts.
ForeclosuresDaily.com hosts monthly webinars with investors such as Carolynn Castillo, who share how they find and evaluate distressed properties.
Anthony Coletti
Real estate investor
Watch Anthony Coletti share their experience using ForeclosuresDaily.com.
Horry County in numbers
Horry County has about 383,000 residents, a median home value near $288,000 and a median household income around $67,000 in recent Census estimates, with about 77% of occupied homes owner-occupied.
County vacancy is near 27%, mostly because of vacation homes, condos and short-term rentals along the Grand Strand.
Only about 58% of homes are single-unit houses, so condos and manufactured homes make up a large share of the housing.
Horry County has been one of the fastest-growing counties in South Carolina, drawing retirees and families from other states.
Foreclosure lis pendens in Horry County include bank cases on homes and condos and association cases for unpaid dues.
- Treat condos like houses
- Ignore insurance costs
- Skip HOA checks
- Check condo association finances
- Get insurance quotes early
- Confirm HOA balances
South Carolina resources
Jeremy Resmer
Webinar host
Jeremy Resmer hosted a ForeclosuresDaily.com monthly webinar for real estate investors.
Running the numbers on a Horry County lis pendens property
Start with renovated sales in the same ZIP code, then subtract purchase price, liens, renovation, holding and selling costs. Add HOA balances and insurance to your costs.
Profit = ARV − Purchase + liens + rehab + holding + selling
Include South Carolina deed recording fees in your costs.
Confirm title, liens, HOA balances and contractor bids before closing.
Insurance shapes coastal deals
Wind and flood insurance can be expensive near the beach, so get quotes before you set your offer.
Condo rules affect resale
Some condo buildings have rental rules, special assessments or financing limits that affect who can buy.
Rentals can work inland
Year-round rental demand in Conway and western Myrtle Beach can support a hold strategy.
Antonio Stringfield
Probate investor · Los Angeles
Watch Antonio Stringfield share their experience using ForeclosuresDaily.com.
Nancy Wallace-Laab
Investor · nearly 20 years
Nancy focuses on the best outcome for both the seller and the investor, drawing on nearly 20 years of real estate investing experience.
Phillip Warrick
Full-time investor since 2003
Full-time real estate investor since 2003, with over 20 years of experience.
Foreclosure lis pendens in Horry County: FAQ
Short answers for buyers working foreclosure lis pendens in Horry County. Tap a question to open it.
QWhat is a foreclosure lis pendens?Yes
A recorded notice that a foreclosure case affects the property.
QHow do South Carolina foreclosures work?
They go through court, often with a master-in-equity sale.
QWhat is a bidding period?
When a deficiency is sought, bidding can stay open after the sale, often 30 days.
QIs there redemption after a tax sale?Yes
Generally yes, often 12 months.
QWhy is vacancy so high?
Many homes are vacation homes and rentals.
QWhich areas have lower prices?
Conway, Loris and inland communities.
Looking for Horry County lis pendens leads? Tell us your target ZIP codes and we will help you choose off-market leads.
Work foreclosure lis pendens leads in Horry County
Horry County rewards investors who reach owners soon after a lis pendens, understand master-in-equity sales and price from same-ZIP renovated sales.
ForeclosuresDaily.com supplies lis pendens, preforeclosure, probate, tax delinquent and absentee owner leads across Horry County and South Carolina. Explore our lead products.