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1. Do you handle TAX SALES?

NO. We do not handle sales of real property for delinquent taxes. Those are handled by the delinquent tax collector. You may contact that office by calling 803-909-7272.

2. Where do I file pleadings, motions, petitions or other documents?

All records are maintained by the Clerk of Court. Please contact the Clerk of Court at (803) 684-8507 for questions regarding the filing of pleadings, motions, petitions, or other documents.

3. How do I view court records online?

Click HERE to be directed to the South Carolina Public Index Search Page. Enter the case number, name of a party, or tax map number and click the search tab. Click on a case number. Locate the tabs in the middle of the page. Select the tab labeled Actions. Click on a page icon to view a record. If you do not see the page icons on the right, select the Associated Cases tab, and click on the case number. Select the tab labeled Actions. You should now see the icons to select and view documents.

4. How do I access a SALES Roster?

Click HERE to be directed to the Civil Court Rosters Page. Find and select a roster described SALES. The sale rosters will have case numbers on the left and property descriptions on the right. You may access the case file from the roster by clicking on the case number. Locate the tabs in the middle of the page. Select the tab labeled Associated Cases. Click on the case number. Find and select the tab labeled Actions. Click on the page icon to view a record. If you clicked on the Actions tab and see no documents, find and select the Associated Cases tab and proceed as instructed above.

5. Where and when are foreclosure sales held?

All sales are held at Equity Court located at 2 South Congress Street, York, South Carolina, 29745, Courtroom 2 on the second floor. Please check the SALES ROSTER and Notice of Sale for the date and time. You may view the Notice of Sale online by following the instructions in FAQ No. 3 and selecting the document.

6. Do I have to register to attend the sale?

Yes, please contact Terra Rose by email at te[email protected], or by phone at (803) 628-3930 to inquire about registration.

7. What is the bidding process?

The Judge will read the case number, the name of the case, the tax map number of the property, the street address of the property, and the terms of the sale. Plaintiff’s bid begins the process, and the bidding continues until there are no more bids. If Plaintiff fails to appear at the sale, the sale will be cancelled. Unless otherwise stated by the Court at the sale, bids are made in $1000.00 increments, except you may round up to the nearest dollar over Plaintiff’s bid. You are deemed by the Court with knowledge of all records contained in the case file, so please review the case file prior to making a bid at sale. See FAQs 8-13 for more details about the terms of sale.

8. May I inspect the property prior to foreclosure sale?

Without permission from the owner or occupant, you have no legal right to enter the property for inspection. It is your responsibility to be aware of the condition of the property, or the structures thereon, prior to making a bid. There are no guarantees made regarding the condition of the property, or any structure, including any mobile home.

9. How does a request for a deficiency judgment affect the bidding process?

If the Plaintiff seeks a deficiency, the only bid taken at the sale will be the Plaintiff’s bid. The property will then be auctioned again 30 days from the original sale date. Only bids higher than the Plaintiff’s bid (“upset bids”) will be taken, and the sale will be final on that date.

10. How and when do I make payments if I am the highest bidder?

Unless otherwise stated by the Court at the sale, the following rules apply to all payments: (1) at least 5% of your bid must be paid by 4:00 p.m. on the date of the sale; (2) the remaining balance of the bid must be paid within 20 days from the date of sale; (3) all payments must be made by certified check; and (4) all checks must be made payable to the “Master in Equity” and delivered to the Court. By placing a bid, you are deemed by the Court with having the read the Notice of Sale and all other documents contained within the case file. See FAQ No. 3 for instructions on how to view the case file online.

11. If I do not make payment(s) by the required time, what happens?

If you fail to make the required 5% deposit on time, you will forfeit your bid and lose your right to purchase the property. If, after making your deposit, you fail to pay the balance of the purchase price when due, you will lose your right to purchase the property. You will also lose your deposit, which shall be forfeited, without a hearing, and paid to the costs of the sale and to Plaintiff. In either scenario, you may also be held in contempt of court, which may result in a fine or an order prohibiting you from participating in future sales.   

12. Will I receive title to the property free and clear of all other liens?

There is no guarantee regarding the status of title, or existence of other liens, which may be superior, or remain, after foreclosure sale. Real property tax liens are not extinguished by a foreclosure sale and will remain as a lien on the property. It is your responsibility to determine the status of all liens or claims by a proper examination of the title by you or your attorney.

13. If I am the highest bidder, when may I take possession of the property?

You may only take possession of the property when you have been issued a deed by the Court. If the property is still occupied, you must go through the legal process of evicting the occupant(s). Equity Court does not prepare or file documents to assist in the eviction process. Please consult an attorney for further details on how to proceed with an eviction.

14. How do I contact Plaintiff’s counsel?

You may access contact information for Plaintiff’s counsel by reviewing documents within the case file online. Please refer to FAQ No. 3 for instructions on how to view documents online.