Ordering a survey is critical to knowing what you are purchasing which is very likely the LARGEST investment of your life. Home inspection isn’t enough. Ordering a survey for your potential home can
1- confirm accuracy of the legal description on deed (so it’s recorded accurately)
2-identify the boundaries of property (especially helpful if planning to build a fence anyway)
3-locate encroachments (allows time for current homeowner to resolve) 4-easements (this might surprise you)
5-utility right-of-way
6-any unimpeded access to a public road.
BONUS: when a survey is completed during a home sale process, a copy should be sent to the closing attorney to review and counsel on any issues (if any.) The closing attorney will advise (at no extra cost) to help you understand any encroachment or other findings which are so important for an homeowner to understand.
STORY TIME: I had a client that found out during the transaction that the fence around the property was about 10 feet inside the property line (shrinking the property.) NO problem right? WRONG!
The adjacent property had their personal property totally unaware that their personal property wasn’t on their own property but the survey revealed otherwise. This neighbor was verbally hostile and threatened a lawsuit. My client decided to walk-away from the contracted property after seeking legal advice.
ANOTHER STORY: Homeowner (not my client) bought a property but didn’t order a survey during their transaction. Years passed and they decided to sell their property. Property went under contract and that contract buyer did order a survey during the transaction and found a city sewer easement that ran under the property. Buyer walked away from the property. Home still hasn’t sold.
