When new homeowner noticed a neighbor mowing part of her front lawn, she asked why he was mowing her lawn, the neighbor replied that the property he was mowing belonged to him, even though the line of trees separating the two houses looked as if the property belonged to the new homeowner. She called her title agent and found out the neighbor was correct.
“How can that be? Didn’t you search my property?”
Unfortunately, the new owner did not understand the difference between a title search and a property survey, and failed to purchase a survey. A title search confirms ownership of property, but it does not show the details of the property location. A survey is a map that shows where the property is located, the boundary lines, the improvements on the land and access points of the property.
Five Reasons You Should Purchase A Survey
Undisclosed Rights and Easements
You may own your new home and its surrounding land, but someone else might have a right to use a portion of your property. A survey will show physical evidence of the rights of others to use your property for access, parking, utilities, and other situations.
Undiscovered Encroachments
A survey may be the only way to tell if a third party holds a claim to part of your property because their improvements such as a garage, fence, or swimming pool, are on your land.
House Built on Incorrect Lot
It may seem impossible, but sometimes a house is built on the wrong lot. A survey provides peace of mind by showing the exact location of the house you are buying.
Size of the Property
A survey shows the exact dimensions of the property’s boundary lines and how much land is included within those lines.
Adding on in the Future
Many residential platted lots have building restrictions known as setbacks which prohibit building anything within a certain distance from the boundary lines. If you are thinking of adding on in the future, a survey will help you determine if the property is right for both your current and future plans.
