What Realty Link Does and How to Use It in South Carolina
Realty Link is South Carolina's statewide real estate database for property records and transaction information
Realty Link is a public database operated by the South Carolina Department of Revenue that lets you search property records, deed information, and tax assessment data across the state. You can look up who owns a property, when it last sold, what the sale price was, and what the county assessor values it at—all from one online search. The database is free to use and does not require registration.
The system pulls information from county records offices and assessor databases statewide, so the data reflects what each county has recorded. This makes it useful if you are buying or selling property, researching a neighborhood, checking on a rental, or simply curious about a specific address. The records are public information, meaning anyone can view them.
Key Takeaways
- Realty Link is a free, public database where you can search property ownership, deed history, and tax assessments for any South Carolina address.
- You can find sale prices, ownership changes, and county assessor valuations without creating an account or paying a fee.
- The database is updated regularly but may lag behind very recent transactions by a few weeks or months, depending on the county.
- Information on Realty Link comes directly from county records, so accuracy depends on what each county has filed and entered into the system.
How to search for a property on Realty Link
Go to the Realty Link website and select the county where the property is located. You can then search by street address, owner name, or parcel number—whichever you have on hand. The search will return a list of matching properties with basic details like the owner's name, the property address, and the parcel identification number.
Click on the property you want to view, and you will see more detailed information: the current assessed value, the land use classification, the square footage, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms (if residential), and recent sale history. Some records also show the deed book and page number where the original document is filed at the county courthouse, which you can use to request a certified copy if you need one.
The search results are instant, and you can print or save the information for your records. There is no limit to how many searches you can run or how much data you can view.
What information you will and will not find on Realty Link
Realty Link shows you ownership history, assessed value, property dimensions, and recent sale prices. It also displays the property's zoning classification and land use category, which tells you whether it is residential, commercial, agricultural, or industrial. If the property has been sold recently, you will see the sale date and, in many cases, the sale price.
What Realty Link does not show: mortgage details, liens, code violations, flood zone status, or utility information. It also does not include photos of the property or details about the condition of the building. If you need information about liens, mortgages, or judgments against the property, you will need to search the county clerk's office records directly or request a title search from a title company. Flood zone information is available through FEMA's flood map tool, and code violations can usually be found through the city or county building department.
Why sale prices sometimes do not appear on Realty Link
South Carolina does not require all real estate transactions to be recorded with a sale price. Some sales are recorded as "gift deeds" or with no consideration listed, which means the price does not show up in the public record. Other transactions, like transfers between family members or transfers into trusts, may not include price information even though they are recorded.
Additionally, the data on Realty Link is updated on a schedule that varies by county. Some counties update their records weekly, while others may take several weeks to enter new transactions into the system. If you sold a property recently and the sale price is not showing yet, it may simply be waiting to be entered into the database.
Using Realty Link to research a neighborhood or rental property
Realty Link is useful for understanding what properties in a neighborhood have sold for and how often they change hands. You can search multiple addresses on the same street to see sale prices over time, which gives you a sense of the market in that area. This information can help you decide whether a rental price is reasonable or whether a neighborhood is stable or experiencing rapid turnover.
If you are considering renting from a landlord, you can search the property address to see who owns it and whether there have been recent sales or ownership changes. You can also check the assessed value to get a rough idea of the property's worth, though assessed value and market value are not always the same.
Limitations of Realty Link data and when to seek additional records
Realty Link is a starting point, not a complete picture. The assessed value shown is what the county assessor believes the property is worth for tax purposes—it is often lower than the actual market value and is updated on the county's schedule, not in real time. Sale prices shown are historical and may be several months old by the time they appear in the database.
If you are buying a property, do not rely on Realty Link alone. Work with a real estate agent or title company who can order a full title search, which will uncover liens, mortgages, easements, and other encumbrances that Realty Link does not show. If you are researching a property for legal reasons—such as a boundary dispute or a question about ownership—request certified copies of the deed and any relevant documents from the county clerk's office.
Accessing county records beyond Realty Link
If Realty Link does not have the information you need, you can contact the county clerk's office or assessor's office directly. Most South Carolina counties now offer online access to deed records, tax records, and parcel maps through their own websites. Some counties charge a small fee for certified copies of documents, but viewing records online is usually free.
You can also visit the county courthouse in person to search the deed books and other public records. The clerk's office staff can help you locate the right document if you know the property address or owner name. For very old properties or complex ownership histories, a title company or real estate attorney can do a thorough search and explain what the records mean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the information on Realty Link current?
Realty Link is updated regularly, but the timing varies by county. Some counties update weekly, while others may take several weeks to enter new transactions. Very recent sales may not appear for a month or more after closing. If you need current information about a very recent transaction, contact the county clerk's office directly.
Can I learn about a property has a mortgage or lien on it through Realty Link?
No. Realty Link shows ownership and assessed value but not mortgages, liens, or judgments. To find that information, search the county clerk's records directly or request a title search from a title company. Liens and mortgages are recorded separately from deed records and require a different search.
Why does the assessed value on Realty Link seem so different from the sale price?
Assessed value and market value are not the same. The assessor's value is used for property tax purposes and is often lower than what a property actually sells for. Assessed values are updated on the county's schedule, usually every few years, so they can lag behind market changes. The sale price shown on Realty Link is more recent but may still be several months old.
Can I use Realty Link to find out who owns a rental property?
Yes. Search the property address and you will see the owner's name and mailing address. Keep in mind that the owner listed may be a company or trust rather than an individual, and the mailing address may not be the property itself. If you need to contact the owner or landlord, you may need to search further or contact the county assessor's office.
What should I do if I find an error in the Realty Link records?
Contact the county assessor's office or county clerk's office where the property is located. They can investigate errors in assessed value, ownership information, or property details. Errors in deed records usually require a formal correction deed filed by the property owner or their attorney, which then gets recorded at the county courthouse.