South Carolina Title 30 - Public Records

[Lucas Osorio]

Hi folks. I have been sending mail to owners looking for off-market deals in NC, NY, and VT. I would like to send mail to SC, where I have lived for the last 8 years. I have been a bit hesitant however because I keep hearing that SC has laws preventing the use of public records in this way. "Title 30 chapter 2, section 30-2-50 Obtaining personal information from state agency for commercial solicitation... A person shall not knowingly obtain or use personal information obtained from a state agency for commercial solicitation directed to any person in this state." 

It seems to be clearly prohibited, but I'm not sure what constitutes "solicitation." Is it solicitation if I write a letter to a property owner expressing interest in their property? Is it solicitation if I make a cash offer or if I try to set up a time to talk? How is that viewed legally? I don't want to get someone angry and end up with a lawsuit; but on the other hand I really want to start mining for deals in SC. Any advice is much appreciated!

[Lucas Osorio]

@Troy Gandee & @John Underwood thank you both for your responses. I'm so grateful for people like you who make this community so valuable. I have taken some time away from this project and been giving it some careful thought. Now I'm coming back to it. I got some records from Datatree. So far the data looks usable and current. 

I think what I'll probably do is send mail, but keep the tone of the letters fairly informal. Rather than making direct offers on specific properties, I may simply introduce myself as an investor in the area who would like to form new relationships with property owners. Try to be as unassuming and unthreatening as possible. Hopefully will still get good leads from motivated sellers, but avoid getting people angry to the point of starting unnecessary conflict.