What Is a Property Survey & How to Get One

What’s a property survey?

A property survey is all about defining what’s yours and what isn’t. Curtis Sumner, government director of the Nationwide Society of Skilled Surveyors (NSPS), says they’re finished for a lot of totally different causes.

“Property surveys are carried out for plenty of causes,” Sumner says.

He provides that surveys are used to determine boundaries when new parcels of land are being developed, in addition to to establish and make sure already established land boundaries.

For instance, in case you’re contemplating placing up a fence in your property, you’ll have to know the place your property line ends and the place your neighbor’s begins. That’s what a property survey helps you identify.

Should you’re seeking to purchase a house, you is perhaps required to get a survey, relying on the place you reside. Many lenders and title corporations require a replica of a survey to shut on a house, however they’re not obligatory in all places. You would possibly be capable to get away with utilizing a previous survey as a substitute of acquiring a brand new one, offered the present survey isn’t manifestly outdated.

Property Survey FAQs

Nonetheless uncertain how property surveys work or in case you want one? We’ve answered a number of steadily requested query.

Is a property survey crucial?

Property surveys will not be legally required and will not be a requirement for all mortgage lenders. You may order a survey at any time, however it may be particularly necessary to order one when shopping for or setting up a brand new house.

Can I purchase a home and not using a survey?

Buying a home with out conducting a property survey might be dangerous. Not contemplating the boundary traces of the property might result in unexpected issues down the highway. It’s additionally value contemplating a property survey when shopping for a house.

Do I would like a survey if I’m a money purchaser?

Since you are buying the house utilizing money, there aren’t any lender necessities to have a boundary survey accomplished. Nonetheless, a survey could also be required do you have to determine to buy title insurance coverage.

Video

3

Contact your mortgage officer to seek out out if he has entry the property’s survey. The mortgage lender might need a replica of the property survey, as a result of it additionally holds the title.

How do I rent a property surveyor?

Trying to find property surveyors in your space is among the finest methods to seek out corporations to get the job finished.

“There’s a surveying society in every of the 50 states, all of that are affiliated with NSPS,” Sumner says. “Every of these societies has a web site, which is able to sometimes embody a ‘Discover A Surveyor’ part.”

It may be less expensive to work with the earlier surveyor on the property, if doable, as a result of that surveyor may have maps and information already readily available. Should you can’t find the prior surveyor, the following smartest thing is to attempt to work with the surveyor who assessed the properties subsequent door.

Don’t be afraid to ask your title firm or lender for suggestions, too.

You must also take the time to query your potential surveyor. Speak about your wants beforehand to ensure they will fulfill the necessities. Examine that the surveyor is licensed to apply within the state the place the property is situated, Sumner advises.

Be aware of how a lot time it takes to finish a survey. Wooll says property surveys can often be accomplished inside per week, but it surely might take as much as three, relying on the corporate.

Sumner says there’s no approach to decide precisely how lengthy it’ll take to finish a survey since there are such a lot of variables to contemplate, together with the standard and availability of property information, akin to deeds.

Function of a Property Survey

A mortgage firm might require a property survey to confirm that the property is well worth the amount of cash offered within the mortgage. Neighbors might make the most of a property survey to find out who owns or has rights to cross sure parts of the land. A vendor ought to have a property survey to know what she is going to convey within the sale. An proprietor who needs to construct on the property ought to have a property survey to pay attention to any problems that will come up.

When There Is No Property Survey

When there isn’t any property survey, a county recorder might have a plat map. A plat map reveals a tract of land subdivided into plots. A developer often creates a plat map earlier than constructing a subdivision or a neighborhood. A plat map can be utilized to find out property traces.

​Learn Extra:​ How to Read Land Survey Plats

Formally Documenting Property Traces

Though surveys aren’t obligatory in all places, they’re important. That’s as a result of a survey is a approach to formally define the property lines, thereby eradicating any misunderstanding that may have developed.

Surveys can also be wanted for a title insurance coverage coverage, which is able to should be established previous to closing, if any encroachment might have an effect on the title. For example, most lenders will conduct a survey when granted a mortgage to buy a house.

A survey can even be wanted earlier than contractors start development work in an effort to be sure that they’ve all the crucial permits. For example, in case you’re planning an addition to your own home, you would possibly be capable to use an outdated survey report, however a brand new survey is perhaps crucial to acquire the allow to construct.

How To Get A Property Survey

Now that you just perceive the advantages of property surveys, you’re most likely questioning how one can get probably the most exact concept of your property’s authorized boundaries. There are a number of methods to go about getting a property survey.

Rent A Land Surveyor

Fortunately for grazing deer and hungry rabbits, not each plot of land is clearly outlined and enclosed by a white picket fence. As land shifts over time, some preliminary property line markers might not exist. When you have any questions on property traces, the most secure factor to do is rent a land surveyor.

Knowledgeable land surveyor is an skilled in defining property traces. They use their expertise, training and specialised area gear to create legally binding property surveys. They’ll even function skilled witnesses in court docket circumstances about land disputes. (Keep in mind once we talked about encroachments earlier?)

Throughout the property survey, a land surveyor will evaluate historic information and knowledge with any present markers to precisely outline your property traces – and their findings are legally binding. This course of takes time, effort and boots-on-the-ground legwork, so hiring a well-respected and well-reviewed land surveyor earlier than buying land or starting any new house expansions is your finest guess to keep away from any authorized points sooner or later. Name round for quotes earlier than you determine, and be cautious of any too-good-to-be-true low estimates.

Examine The Property Deed

A number of totally different types of deeds are utilized in actual property. A property deed is a written authorized doc that transfers possession of a property from the grantor to the grantee. (To not be confused with a title, which is the precise doc that states who legally owns the property.) One of these deed may have a number of items of necessary details about the property: correct proprietor names, precise tackle, tax map quantity, authorized description, restrictions, and different data like situations of the switch and reservations of rights by a previous proprietor. Whereas some deeds solely reference lots or block quantity, many embody detailed measurements within the type of – yep, you guessed it – a property survey finished by a land surveyor.

Search Property Survey Information

Whereas there isn’t any nationwide archive of actual property information, many states require property surveys to be filed with the native authorities. You may seek for property surveys by visiting the courthouse, property or assessor’s workplace the place your new land is situated. You have to to manually verify transfers, necessities and restrictions on the property. This avenue might be time-consuming, but it surely’s a free to low-cost approach to empower your self with the information and historical past of your new property’s authorized boundaries.

Discover A Property Survey On-line

Can’t make it to the courthouse? No worries, many native governments maintain property information on-line. To seek for your piece of land, you’ll want particular particulars in regards to the property you wish to search for. Collect as a lot data as you possibly can, like the road tackle, boundary descriptions and date of the final survey, and search the official county or assessor’s web site the place the property is situated.

The extra data you could have, the simpler will probably be so that you can discover the survey you want. Not all information might be digitized, however the outcomes of your search might assist you slender down the precise workplace the place your survey is situated. You may then name the workplace and ask if they will mail you a replica of the survey.

Geographical Data System (GIS) maps and property search websites are a greater choice you probably have restricted data in your property. Nonetheless, these websites usually cost a payment or require a subscription.

Contact The Earlier Surveyor

Land surveyors maintain copies of the property surveys they full. (Legally, the survey belongs to them.) If you understand the identify and phone data of the earlier land surveyor, attempt reaching out. It’s very doubtless that, for a payment, they will ship you a replica. Land surveys often final 5 to 10 years after they’re accomplished, so if the earlier survey was finished a very long time in the past, it’s most likely a good suggestion to get a brand new one finished even in case you find the official doc.

Discover Property Traces for Free

Home-owner’s Deed

A home-owner’s deed ought to embody a authorized description of the plot of land, together with its measurements, form, block and lot quantity, and different identifiers akin to landmarks and geographical options. If the language is difficult, attain out to your actual property lawyer or agent for assist in deciphering it.

A Tape Measure

If you wish to visually verify your property traces, you need to use a tape measure to find out the boundaries. From a identified level detailed within the deed’s description, measure to the property’s edge and place a stake at that time as a marker.

In any case the sides have been decided, measure the space between the stakes. Evaluate the outcomes to ensure they match the corresponding deed or plat.

Current Property Survey from Mortgage or Title Firm

Most mortgage lenders require potential owners to have a present survey, and your title insurance coverage additionally is dependent upon it. Should you purchased your own home not too long ago however don’t have the survey, contact both firm to see if they’ve a replica on file.

Current Property Survey from County or Native Municipality

A property’s historical past and legalrecords are usually saved within the municipality or county’s tax assessor’s workplace or in its land information or constructing division. You may often start your search by logging on to entry the related property information. Most municipalities supply this data without spending a dime, however some places of work might require a small payment or ask that you just entry the information in particular person.

Buried Pins

On the corners of your property, you could possibly discover metal bars which have been buried, typically nonetheless seen, with a marked cap on the highest finish. These had been doubtless positioned in your land when a survey was accomplished. Should you can’t readily see the pins (they could have been buried over time), use a steel detector that can assist you find them.

Whereas this isn’t a legally binding approach to decide your property traces, it will provide you with a good suggestion of the boundaries. Warning: Earlier than you begin digging, name 811, the nationwide call-before-you-dig hotline, to request the situation of buried utilities you don’t wish to inadvertently dig into an underground utility line.

Use an App

Obtain an app like LandGlide that makes use of GPS to find out a parcel’s property traces. LandGlide is free for the primary seven days.

Why a Property Survey Is Vital

A property survey assures the lender and title firm that the property you are shopping for is true to its description. For owners, doing a property survey earlier than beginning development or enhancements ensures you are constructing by yourself land to hopefully forestall any future disputes with neighbors. Cities can also require property surveys earlier than development might be permitted. Examine along with your metropolis to see if a survey is required and, in that case, what kind.

Conducting a property survey is smart even when the boundaries of your property appear clear, akin to a home with a fenced yard. If the fence you are changing is actually in your neighbor’s property, it is higher to make that discovery earlier than beginning the work.

Property surveys can even resolve disputes. Your neighbor could also be upset that you just’re strolling by his yard to get to the creek behind your properties. A property survey can show you could have the best to take action.

Tags