Last month we talked about why it’s important to get an inspection done before closing on a home purchase. This month we’re looking at surveys, which are just as important for different reasons. Yes, both of these things cost money that add to total cost of buying a home. But in the long run, they afford peace of mind that is priceless.

At Saunders Realty, LLC, we recommend to any of our clients who are making an offer on a home that they arrange for a property survey. Rather than getting a house location survey, pay a little more money for the American Land Title Association (ALTA) Survey. This is a more comprehensive, detailed survey. This type of survey will tell you:

Any conditions of law on your property, including rights of way or easements. An easement is common land or land owned by utilities, which may be included in your property but may limit what you can do in those areas.

The exact boundary lines of your property. This is important to know if you want to put in a pool, install a fence, or even plant a tree. Sometimes when surveys are done, property owners will find that the neighbor’s fence is on their property. You want to avoid situations like this if at all possible, because sometimes they can lead to unpleasant legal conflicts. While Robert Frost may have written that good fences make good neighbors, misplaced fences can tear neighbors apart.

Zoning classifications. Most of the time it’s pretty clear where residential and commercial properties reside. But you might be interested to know what type of residential zoning you fall under, if it covers the amount of buildings you can have on your property or what types of animals you’re allowed.

With your survey, you will get reports and maps that you can use later if you decide to install or build something on your property. But even more than the physical results of the survey is that practical knowledge of exactly where your property’s border are and what it is you own.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, contact the team at Saunders Realty, LLC. We can walk you through every step of the process, including the property survey, to help ensure it’s seamless and successful.

Questions? Call us today at 336-939-6275!