Having a land survey done prior to purchasing a home is a smart way to avoid potential disputes in the future. A land survey is carried out for the purpose of mapping, locating, and describing the boundaries of the land around your home. If, for example, your neighbor plans on building a gate, or a home addition, a land survey will clearly identify the boundary lines so that your neighbor doesn't invade your property line and cause easement issues. If you're in the market for a new home, here's what you need to know about land surveys.
Defining Boundaries
In home ownership, a boundary is the separation of two properties that are next to each other. Boundaries can be natural or artificial. An example of a natural boundary is a pond, while an artificial boundary is one created by written documents. For most home owners, their boundaries are created by the Public Land Survey System and contain specific descriptions of the boundaries of their land. This establishes property rights for the home owner. However, long-time land occupation also establishes unwritten property rights. If your neighbor has a mobile home on part of your property and it has been there for 25 years, this can cause an issue, and a land surveyor will be able to tell you how it affects your property boundaries.
Protects Your Investment
Before purchasing a home, having a land survey helps protect your investment. It's an especially good idea if you're planning on doing any future remodeling or development of your land. A professional land surveyor will locate the boundaries of your property so that you'll know how to plan new constructions or proposed improvements. This way ,your layout is positioned correctly and you don't run into complications with easement issues.
When to Have a Land Survey
The best time to have a land survey conducted is before you purchase a property. Some lenders even require a land survey before allowing you to borrow using the property as collateral. However, if you've already purchased a home and run into conflicts regarding the use of your property, it's beneficial to have a land survey to define the property lines and help settle the dispute. If you're selling your home and have never had a land survey, it's a good idea to have one before you sell your home. Make sure to keep an accurate record of all descriptions of boundaries for the potential buyers.
Share13 February 2017
Growing up, I absolutely adored living in the country. I liked to take long walks down the dirt road adjacent to my home. I also enjoyed collecting eggs from my grandmother’s chicken coop each day. Are you thinking about moving to a rural location? Consider taking up farming as a new hobby. To begin your agricultural adventure, you’ll likely need to invest in some necessary equipment and supplies. For example, you might wish to purchase a small tractor. You may also want to install an irrigation system on your property. On this blog, I hope you will discover the most common types of agricultural equipment and supplies small scale farmers invest in. Enjoy!