In today’s dynamic real estate market, conducting a survey is a critical step—especially when buying or selling an unrestricted lot. While surveys in platted neighborhoods may seem less vital due to established boundaries and infrastructure, their importance skyrockets with unrestricted properties. In this blog, we explore why real estate surveys are essential. We will discuss how they protect your investment by identifying potential encroachments and hidden issues.
What Is a Real Estate Survey?
A real estate survey is a detailed, professional mapping of a property’s boundaries, physical features, and improvements. Licensed surveyors measure the lot and record important details, ensuring that all parties accurately represent the property. This process becomes even more crucial when dealing with unrestricted lots. Official records for such lots might often be less precise or even absent.
Why Surveys Are Crucial for Unrestricted Lots
When purchasing an unrestricted lot, the absence of pre-established surveys increases the risk of boundary disputes. Unlike platted neighborhoods, subdivisions here follow strict guidelines and documented boundaries. However, unrestricted lots lack these protections. A survey in such cases is not just a formality—it’s a necessary step to safeguard your investment. Surveys help prevent legal conflicts by confirming the property’s exact dimensions and identifying any encroachments. They also help avoid unexpected costs down the road.
Identifying Encroachments: Driveways, Fences, and Seawalls
One of the most significant advantages of conducting a real estate survey is the identification of encroachments. Common encroachments include:
- Driveways: An improperly placed driveway might extend onto a neighboring property, leading to disputes over usage rights.
- Fences: Boundary fences that are built over the property line can cause conflicts. They may require costly adjustments or legal resolutions.
- Seawalls: Seawalls that encroach onto adjacent land in lakefront areas can create issues. These include property erosion, maintenance responsibilities, and local regulations.
These encroachments might not be obvious at first glance. A professional survey uncovers these discrepancies, allowing buyers and sellers to negotiate adjustments or clarifications in the transaction agreement. Providing a clear survey for sellers can enhance the property’s marketability by demonstrating transparency and thorough due diligence.
Uncovering Hidden Issues Before They Become Costly
Beyond identifying encroachments, surveys help reveal other potential problems that could affect property value or future development. For example, surveys can detect discrepancies in legal descriptions. They can also identify boundary markers or undocumented easements that have shifted over time. These issues might not be immediately apparent, but they can lead to expensive legal battles. Additionally, they may cause complications in future transactions if left unresolved.
Buyers gain peace of mind by investing in a comprehensive survey. They know exactly what they are purchasing. Sellers can also proactively use this information to resolve issues, ensuring a smoother sales process. Thus, they can potentially increase the property’s value.
Secure Your Investment with a Professional Survey
In the realm of real estate, knowledge is power. Whether you are buying or selling, a professional survey is a valuable investment. This is particularly true with unrestricted real estate parcels where uncertainties can abound. Surveys do more than simply mark boundaries—they uncover encroachments and bring hidden issues to light before they turn into costly disputes. In doing so, they provide both buyers and sellers with the confidence to move forward. They can be secure in the knowledge that every detail of the property is understood and documented.
Ensure that you or your real estate professional prioritizes a thorough survey for any unrestricted real estate parcel transaction. It’s a small step that can make a big difference in safeguarding your future investment.
