| Although a land survey may seem tedious and | | | | realtor determine how marketable the property is. |
| unnecessary, in fact there are many cases in | | | | Shoreline footage and acreage are two more |
| which you should have your land surveyed, to | | | | selling points that can be measured by a land |
| save confusion or legal troubles later. | | | | survey. Some buyers might put in an offer that is |
| If you have two surveys done, they will nearly | | | | contingent on a survey; if you have the survey |
| always have slight differences, because land | | | | done ahead of time, you can save time and |
| surveying is as much an art as a science. | | | | increase the chances of selling your property |
| Measurements are always subject to error. In | | | | quickly. |
| land surveying, these measurements are often | | | | Before building a shed, fence, or other structure |
| taken from landmarks such as fence posts; in | | | | on the edges of your land, consider having a land |
| two separate surveys, the same landmarks may | | | | surveyor mark the exact edges of your |
| not be available, or may have shifted. | | | | property. That way, you can be assured that you |
| A land surveyor will research the documents | | | | are not building on your neighbors land, and you |
| available about your land, including titles and | | | | can assure yourself that you are not fencing out |
| previous surveys. Then, they will physically | | | | any land that is actually yours. This is especially |
| measure the property, and check these | | | | important when building a house or other large, |
| dimensions against the previous records to find | | | | permanent structure. There are many things to |
| any discrepancies. Land surveyors can also use | | | | keep in mind when situating such a building, |
| electronic equipment, GPS positioning, or other | | | | including easements, setbacks, and other |
| devices to determine the boundaries of your | | | | requirements that will be marked on your new |
| property. | | | | land survey. Do not let your contractor or builder |
| You should always consider a new land survey if | | | | determine where to place this structure, as they |
| you are buying a piece of real estate. Even | | | | will probably not be any more aware of your |
| though many mortgage companies or title | | | | boundaries than you are. |
| insurance companies do not require one, it is still | | | | Conversely, if your neighbor is building such a |
| smart to have a survey done. You should be | | | | structure and you believe it to be on your |
| aware of any boundary discrepancies that could | | | | property, have a land survey completed. This is |
| affect the value of your property before | | | | the first step towards resolving the problem and |
| purchasing it. Any disputes about the boundaries | | | | ensuring that your land remains yours to use. |
| of the property should be settled before you | | | | Using an outdated survey to determine either of |
| agree to purchase it, or you can be in for a legal | | | | these matters puts you at a disadvantage. Newer |
| headache later. | | | | measuring techniques, including GPS, mean that |
| You may also want to consider having a land | | | | newer surveys will be the most accurate. Some |
| survey done if you are planning to sell your | | | | areas, especially rural land, have not been |
| property. It is especially important in areas where | | | | surveyed since the nineteenth century, meaning |
| road access is questionable. Determining the | | | | that in many cases neighbors may be |
| status of roads onto your land can help your | | | | unknowingly encroaching on each others land. |