Buying a house? It’s exciting. It’s also one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. And with any large purchase, you want to understand exactly what you’re getting. That’s where the question, is a survey necessary when buying a home, comes in. It’s something many first-time buyers wonder about. 

Let’s explore why getting a survey can save you headaches and legal issues in the long run. This is a key step to help you avoid being caught off guard by potential property issues down the line.

A survey is more than just lines on a map. It’s a detailed analysis and graphic representation of your property’s boundaries and features conducted by licensed land surveyors. They examine your property, check public records, and deliver a comprehensive report. This report, often considered an official document, helps determine the legal boundaries of your property.

What a Survey Reveals: More Than Just Lines

Think of a survey as your property’s official blueprint. It pinpoints where your land begins and ends. A good survey goes deeper. It identifies:

  • Buildings, fences, driveways – their exact location.
  • Shared property elements like walls or driveways clarify responsibilities.
  • Those sneaky “rights of way” or easements: Maybe your neighbor has the right to cross your land. This needs to be known upfront.
  • Possible encroachments: That lovely shed you thought was yours? A survey might show it’s encroaching on your neighbor’s land. Yikes.
  • Errors in legal descriptions: A simple typo on a deed can have big consequences, but a survey can catch those.

In some places, getting a survey isn’t legally required to buy a home. But here’s the catch – title insurance often won’t cover problems that a survey could have revealed.

If there’s an unknown boundary dispute or an encroachment you weren’t aware of, your title insurance might not help. A survey acts like extra insurance, making sure you’re fully covered.

Avoiding Boundary Battles and Legal Headaches

Have you ever noticed those friendly chats over the fence become heated arguments? Disputes over boundaries are incredibly common between neighbors. Imagine wanting to trim hedges or trees only to find out they technically belong to your neighbor. These disputes can escalate into full-blown legal battles, costing time, money, and neighborhood peace.

A boundary survey helps by clearly defining the property lines, which can help you avoid these types of disputes with your neighbors. It can also impact other things, such as where you can get building permits if you build something on your property.

But if you had a survey done before buying a home, those arguments could be avoided altogether. Thanks to a professional defining the official lines, everyone would clearly understand where their property begins and ends.

Securing Future Plans and Investments

You dream of putting in that perfect backyard pool or expanding your home with a new sunroom. But if those expansions unintentionally cross onto a neighbor’s land, it becomes a nightmare.

Not only do you halt construction, but you could also end up demolishing what you already built. This can lead to an increase in the average cost of your project, something that most home buyers need to factor in.

Getting a survey before you start prevents that heart-sinking “oops” moment. You can rest assured that you’re staying within your boundaries, allowing you to enjoy your new improvements worry-free.

Navigating the Survey Process

Start by selecting a qualified and reputable land surveyor in your state. Organizations help consumers understand why they need a surveyor, guaranteeing professional expertise and a smooth process.

It’s essential to ensure they’re licensed to practice real estate law. Once you’ve chosen your surveyor, a clear agreement on scope and fees should be established.

Keep an open line of communication with your surveyor throughout the process. This ensures you’re aware of every step and fosters transparency and trust. This is especially important when it comes time to review the property surveys with you.

Once the survey is complete, you’ll receive the survey map outlining all the crucial details. It’s important to review this carefully. Don’t be afraid to ask your surveyor questions to clarify anything you don’t understand.

Their expertise helps you navigate these legal details, providing a comprehensive understanding of your purchase. Completing a survey helps answer many frequently asked questions that many property buyers have about their land.  If you need help or professional advice, check out our best realtors in Lehigh Valley.

When a Survey Is Highly Recommended

While a survey required when buying a home remains a question with some nuances, certain situations strongly suggest investing in one:

  • Buying a home that needs upgrades: Major changes or extensions call for precise property knowledge.
  • Getting clarity sets a foundation: Boundary disputes with neighbors are simmering or have flared up in the past on this property.
  • Your property’s been untouched for generations: Updating old records can prevent surprises.
  • Refinancing: Some lenders require recent surveys as part of their assessment process.

In addition to those reasons, if the property is near a public road or body of water, you may also need to get a separate elevation certificate, which would be an additional cost. An elevation certificate will let you know if you need flood insurance. If you do, the elevation certificate can also impact your flood insurance premium, just like the survey results can affect your homeowner’s insurance premium.

Title companies and mortgage lenders may recommend a property survey as well. Sometimes, the mortgage lender requires it, so be sure to ask your loan lender if this is the case when you purchase real estate. Overall, surveying your home will benefit you in numerous ways to help you learn more about the property. Contact us for more information today.