Pender County, NC Property Records: Search Deeds, Owners, Tax Records, and Maps

Located along the state’s southeastern coast, Pender County is the fifth-largest county in North Carolina. Pender County has an estimated population of about 72,000 residents, and its county seat is Burgaw. The county's property records cover approximately 55,000 individual parcels across about 871 square miles of land. If you need to access these records, start with the Register of Deeds and the Tax Administration. These offices maintain and provide access to property records in accordance with North Carolina's Public Records Law.

An average home in Pender County typically remains on the housing market for about 61 days. Population growth, coastal development, tourism, construction, retail trade, and healthcare influence the local real estate market. Single-family detached homes in communities such as Hampstead, Burgaw, Surf City, Rocky Point, and Topsail Beach make up a significant portion of the housing stock.

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How to Look Up Pender County Property Records

You can view or download copies of property records in Pender County through several county offices, with each responsible for different types of records:

Who Keeps Pender County Property Records

Under the North Carolina Public Records Statute, anyone who wants to view or obtain copies of Pender County property records can approach the custodians. The agencies that maintain property records in the county include:

• If you want to view or obtain copies of documents affecting real property ownership, the Pender County Register of Deeds is the primary source. Pursuant to the state law, the office records and preserves documents affecting real property in the county. These documents include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, plats, easements, powers of attorney, liens, and other instruments related to real estate transactions. Be aware that the office does not perform title searches or provide legal advice concerning property matters.

• The Pender County Tax Administration maintains property ownership records, parcel identification numbers (PINs), assessed values, tax billing information, acreage data, and property characteristics. Anyone can use this office to verify ownership and review assessment information.

• The Pender County Clerk of Superior Court maintains records relating to foreclosure proceedings and other court matters affecting real property. Foreclosure hearings conducted under a power-of-sale provision are handled through the Clerk of Superior Court's Office. On the other hand, deeds of trust and other land instruments are recorded with the Register of Deeds.

How to Search Pender County Property Records Online

You can pull up property records in Pender County by following these steps:

1. Visit the Pender County Real Estate Search webpage. Individuals can search documents using the property’s address, owner’s name, parcel identification number (PIN), or account number. Using this webpage, anyone may find the current owner, assessed value, property characteristics, and sales history.

2. Then, search the Register of Deeds' Consolidated Index portal. You can locate recorded documents using the owner's name, recording date, instrument number, or book and page reference. Available records may include deeds, deeds of trust, plats, easements, releases, and other recorded instruments.

3. When reviewing ownership history, trace the chain of title backward through the most recent deed. The grantor’s name listed on the current deed must correspond with the grantee’s name shown on the previous deed. Any break in the chain is a potential danger that requires further title research.

4. Through the Recorder of Deeds Index, you can review recorded liens, judgments, outstanding deeds of trust, restrictive covenants, easements, and releases that may affect ownership rights. While the excise tax stamp shown on a deed may provide an estimate of the consideration reported during a property transfer. As such, they do not always reflect the actual purchase price.

5. Finally, you can verify the property's tax status through the Tax Administration's Citizens Self Service. According to NCGS 105-355 and NCGS 105-362, property tax liens attach to real property on January 1 of each tax year remains effective. The lien remains attached to the property until all taxes, penalties, interest, and applicable costs have been paid.

Register of Deeds: Deeds, Deeds of Trust, and Plats

The Pender County Register of Deeds is the official recording office for documents affecting real property within the county. Pender County typically uses deeds of trust rather than mortgages to secure real-estate loans. The office records and preserves documents that establish, transfer, encumber, or release interests in land. Together, these records help trace property ownership and provide notice of interests that may affect ownership or the use of a property. You can search historical and current land records through the Consolidated Index portal, with records dating back to 1875.

Tax Assessor: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

The Pender County Tax Administration is responsible for identifying, listing, appraising every property within the county, and assigning parcel identification numbers (PINs). Through the Real Estate Search portal, you can research ownership information, review assessed values, verify parcel boundaries, and access other property-related tax data.

Tax Collector: Tax Bills and Payments

Similarly, the Pender County Tax Administration also maintains property tax billing and collection. Like other counties in North Carolina, property taxes in Pender County are billed annually. In Pender County, a bill runs on a fiscal year from July 1 through June 30, which is not a calendar year.

Property Tax in Pender County: Rates, Exemptions, and Appeals

In Pender County, the Tax Administration is responsible for appraising taxable property, while the Board of Commissioners and other local taxing authorities establish property tax rates. To estimate a property tax bill, divide the property's assessed value by 100 and multiply the result by the applicable tax rate. Then, subtract any eligible exemptions from the final amount to lower the tax.

Homestead and relief programs

North Carolina offers several property tax relief programs that lower property taxes for qualifying homeowners. Qualified applicants must submit their application form to Pender County Tax Administration’s Office by June 1 of the year for which the benefit is requested.

Appealing your value

If you believe your property's assessed value is incorrect, you may request an informal review through the Pender County Tax Administration. If you disagree with the outcome of the informal review, you may file a formal appeal with the Pender County Board of Equalization and Review (BOER). The board typically convenes between the first Monday in April and the first Monday in May each year. If you remain dissatisfied with the Board's decision, appeal to the North Carolina Property Tax Commission. Further appeals may be made through the North Carolina Court of Appeals as permitted by law.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

You can view property boundaries, parcel information, and geographic data through the Esri webpage. This county's GIS system connects parcel maps with ownership and assessment records. It is a useful resource for homeowners, buyers, surveyors, real estate professionals, and researchers when conducting property research.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

When property taxes or mortgage obligations remain unpaid, foreclosure proceedings may occur through an initiated process by the Pender County Tax Office. The foreclosures in the county include the power-of-sale and property-tax foreclosures.

Power-of-sale foreclosures

If a property owner fails to meet the terms of a deed of trust, the lender may initiate a power-of-sale foreclosure proceeding, which the Pender County Clerk of Superior Court hears. If approved, the property may be sold at a public auction by the local sheriff’s office. Following the sale, North Carolina law provides a 10-day upset bid period during which another party may submit a higher bid. If no additional bids are received, the sale may be finalized and ownership transferred to the successful bidder in accordance with NCGS 45-21.27.

Property-tax foreclosure

When property taxes remain unpaid, Pender County may initiate foreclosure proceedings to recover the outstanding balance, including any accrued interest, penalties, and collection expenses. This is done in accordance with NCGS 105-374 or the in rem process under 105-375. Keep in mind that Pender County does not sell tax-lien certificates to investors. Once the sale is confirmed and the deed is issued, the former owner generally loses all ownership rights in the property. As such, there is no right of redemption.

Costs to Access Property Records

Most property records in Pender County can be searched online at no cost through county-maintained websites. However, NCGS 161-10 and NCGS 105-228.30 require anyone seeking to record instruments or obtain copies of property records in Pender County to pay certain fees. The following fees generally apply:

How to Record a Document

If you want to record a real-estate document in Pender County, ensure it meets the state’s recording requirements. You may take the following steps:

• Prepare the Document: Begin by ensuring the document contains all required information. Most real-estate instruments must include the names of the parties involved, a legal description of the property, original signatures, proper notarization, and the grantee's mailing address. The first page should be prepared with a 3-inch top margin. Nonetheless, if your document fails to meet the standard requirement, you will be fined $25, in addition to the standard recording fee.

• Calculate Recording Fees: The basic recording fee for a new deed is $64 for the first 35 pages and $4 for each additional page. Depending on the document, other fees may apply. Before submitting the completed documents, it is always a good idea to confirm current recording fees and accepted payment methods with the Register of Deeds. Similarly, you can contact this office at (910) 259-1225.

• Submit the Document: You may submit the completed documents, along with other forms, to the Pender County Register of Deeds in person or by mail. You can also submit these records via approved e-recording vendors such as Simplifile, ePN, and CSC eRecording.

• Obtain a Recorded Copy: You can view and download the document through the Register of Deeds' portal once it has been indexed. If needed, you may also request certified copies of documents from the Register of Deeds’ Office.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Pender County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals