Thinking about adding onto your home? Or perhaps you’re thinking of purchasing a new property. Either way, a property survey for property lines is going to be essential for the success of your venture. A property survey determines or confirms land boundaries for sub-surface improvements (like a well or septic tank) and the plot of land a home sits on. Property surveys also pinpoint different types of conditions and restrictions applying to how a property is legally described, most notably encroachments or easements. Here’s how a property survey works and why it’s important to define property lines accurately.
What A Property Survey Is
Property surveys are all about defining exactly what is yours by detailing your property in a legal, official way. Having a document that makes it clear exactly what is and isn’t yours is the only way to avoid guesswork and costly building mistakes. There are a number of reasons why property surveys are performed; typically they are used to establish boundaries when developing new parcels of land. Below are some other situations in which property surveys are used:
- Some areas require a survey to be performed in order to buy a home
- A copy of a survey is required by many title companies and lenders to close on a home, though this is not mandatory across the board.
- Surveys are also used to confirm and identify existing land boundaries. If you want to put up a fence, for example, you’ll want to know the exact point where your property ends.
- Lender title insurance policies also require land surveys. Issuers need to know about any encroachments on the property before closing on a purchase.
- Contractors or municipalities often mandate a property survey prior to pulling permits for major renovation projects like additions.
Property Survey Types
Different types of surveys serve different purposes. Some common types are listed below:
- Land surveys detail boundaries of a parcel of land
- Topographic surveys are used for site work such as road improvements and property development
- As-built surveys determine property lines and where additions or improvements can be made
- Mortgage surveys establish property boundaries for a property prior to mortgaging
- Floodplain surveys illustrate flood hazard areas
Being specific about the reason for your survey when requesting one will ensure it is accurate in relation to what you require.
Getting A Property Survey
To recap, a property survey is used to establish clear boundaries and evaluate the property in an official legal capacity for a number of situations. When you buy a home, the title company or lender may mandate a property survey. If you’re a homeowner planning a significant addition to your current home, or putting in a fence, then having a property survey for property lines is important – especially when it comes to permitting.
Even if you don’t have anything planned in your immediate future, having an updated property survey on hand can be very useful. Having an official account of your property’s precise boundary lines will help you mitigate expensive, time-consuming headaches and potential disputes with neighbors. For example, if your neighbor wants to build a fence and you think it’s crossing into your property, being able to pull out your property survey and show them the official property lines will help avoid an annoying argument.
Contact Us Today
CORE Action Group is a trusted commercial and residential property surveying company in Hollywood, FL. Contact CORE Action Group for your South Florida land surveying needs today.