The importance of land survey before purchasing land

Buying land, whether commercial or residential, is actually a costly endeavor, even when prices have eased somewhat lately. This is the reason locating a parcel which you like and making a deal for it without performing a land survey within the area is likely to be the greatest mistake that you could make.

Here’s why it’s extremely important that you have land survey done first:

Land surveyors can determine whether you’re actually getting what you’re gonna pay for. This determine whether or not the sidewalks, trees, driveways and even the bird bath is part of the property you’re going to buy. Land surveying would also see whether the neighbors are encroaching into your property, which will then mean you’re likely to have problems later on with your neighbors. Getting a land surveyor doesn’t only mean they know what you’re getting or otherwise not getting – land surveyors are the experts, and so they can help with building regulations, wetland regulations, etc. Please note that these regulations may change anytime, but land surveyors ought to be updated on these regulations, or they’ll refer you to somebody who is.

Let’s say the present landowner (the one selling the land) supply you with old land survey documents? You should still hire your personal land surveyor to find out if the boundary monuments remain in position. Also, land surveying done a couple of years back might not show recent changes to the land. When the existing survey is older than about 10 years, you need to get the latest survey. Technology and surveying standards are much better now and could give you more confidence in the survey work.

Second, that survey was completed for that owner. He might have instructed the surveyor not to show some things on the drawing. At least have a land surveyor get out there and evaluate the parcel using this survey in hand. We have witnessed numerous cases when a whole new land survey would save the customer thousands so don’t be a victim.

I’ve heard many say getting a land surveyor is nothing but unnecessary expense. I’ll let you know what’s unnecessary: the worries brought on by paying 1000s of dollars for something and finding yourself not receiving whatever you were expecting. If you’re smart, you’d hire a professional surveyor to do the land survey prior to making any land purchases.