Why It’s Important to Get Land Surveyed Before Purchasing Property
A thorough land survey is crucial when you are purchasing property, whether it’s a vacant lot, an existing home, or a commercial property. While you can look at property from the street and get a good idea of where the property lines lie, a survey gives the final answer as to where your property ends, and someone else’s begins.
A land survey establishes the boundaries of the property, outlines any buildings or structures on the property, and clears up any confusion about how much land is included in the sale of a property.
There is a lot at stake in real estate transactions, and you need an attorney who can protect your rights and best interests throughout your sale or purchase. Call Evans Law at 410-626-6009 to schedule a consultation now.
Know the Property You Will Own
You probably already have lots of plans for the property you’re buying, but before you can start working on any of those plans, you have to know which land is and isn’t yours. Sometimes, the boundaries between lots become blurred over time, leading one owner to think they own more than they truly do. This can cost you thousands if you accidentally build on your neighbor’s property or otherwise try to alter property that isn’t yours. A survey makes it crystal clear which land is yours.
Easements and Encroachments
Before you commit to a piece of property, you’ll also want to know if there are any easements or encroachments that may impede your use of the land. An easement is a legal right to use someone else’s property. There are several situations in which your property may have an easement.
For example, if you own beachfront property, you may allow people to cross through your yard to get to the beach more easily. If your neighbor has a garage behind their home, you may grant them an easement that allows them to drive on your land to reach their garage. These agreements may affect your use of your land and the rights of any future owners, so you must know about them before you buy.
Encroachments occur when one property owner violates their neighbor’s property rights by using their land without permission. They may occur intentionally or unintentionally.
Consider, for example, your neighbor building a fence. They do not get a survey done beforehand, and they simply assume that the midpoint between your homes is where the property line is. However, the property line is actually closer to their home than to yours. As a result, the fence they build is on your property.
In the same setup, a neighbor who builds a shed that is partially or fully on your property is encroaching. You must know about these before buying so you know if you want to deal with the problems they cause.
Neighborly Relations
The saying “good fences make good neighbors” is proven true when it comes to real estate law. If you get a complete survey done, you know your rights before you have to handle any neighborly disputes. This ensures that you don’t step on any toes by unintentionally using someone else’s land or giving up your own rights by believing a neighbor’s survey.
If you decide to build a shed, extension, or fence in the future, a survey ensures that you know exactly where you can and cannot build. When everyone involved knows their rights and their boundaries, it is much easier to create and preserve a healthy neighborly relationship.
In many cases, a land survey does not reveal anything new and simply confirms what the purchasers already assumed. However, if a land survey does bring up something troubling, you need to talk to an attorney about your next steps.
Choose Evans Law for Your Real Estate Legal Needs
Whether you’re buying personal or commercial property, you need an attorney to protect your rights throughout the process. Anything can happen in a real estate transaction, and you could end up spending thousands more than you expected if you do not have an attorney drafting and reviewing your paperwork. Set up a time to talk now by calling Evans Law at 410-626-6009 or reaching out online.
