Reasons to Order a Survey When Buying a House

When buying a home, there are many moving parts: inspections, appraisals, paperwork, and more. One essential step that sometimes gets overlooked is ordering a property survey. This step might seem unnecessary to some, but it provides vital information about the property that could save you a lot of hassle in the future. Here's why ordering a survey is one of the smartest moves you can make during the home-buying process.

1. Accurate Boundaries

A property survey clearly defines the exact boundaries of the land you're purchasing. This ensures you know exactly what you're buying, whether it's a quarter-acre lot or an expansive property with room for future development. Accurate boundary knowledge is essential for:

• Installing fences or landscaping.
• Building any additions or structures.
• Avoiding disputes with neighbors regarding property lines.

Having this precise information will help you avoid accidentally encroaching on your neighbor's property or vice versa.

2. Identifying Encroachments Early

A survey will reveal if any neighboring properties encroach onto the land you're buying or if your property encroaches onto theirs. Common encroachments include fences, driveways, sheds, or even parts of homes. Knowing about encroachments early allows you to:

• Address these issues before closing.
• Negotiate a resolution with the seller or neighbor.
• Avoid future legal battles or the expense of correcting the encroachment later.

Identifying and resolving encroachments before purchasing the property ensures a smoother transition to homeownership without unexpected surprises.

3. Understanding Easements

Easements are legal rights that others, such as utility companies or municipalities, have to access specific portions of your property. These could be for power lines, water mains, or other public infrastructure. A survey helps identify easements, so you understand any restrictions on the land, which may limit where you can build or how you can use your property. Knowing about easements upfront prevents future headaches and ensures you can use your property as intended.

4. Ensuring Zoning and Building Code Compliance

Zoning laws dictate how land can be used and where structures can be built, while building codes regulate construction. A survey helps verify that the property complies with these local regulations, ensuring that:

• The property’s structures meet required setbacks (the distance structures must be from property lines).
• Any future building plans, such as adding a garage or pool, can move forward without legal issues.
• You avoid fines or having to modify the property after purchase due to non-compliance.

Knowing that the property is in line with local zoning and building laws gives you peace of mind and helps avoid costly adjustments later.

5. Meeting Mortgage and Lender Requirements

Most mortgage lenders require a property survey before approving a loan. The lender uses this survey to ensure the property is accurately represented and free of any potential legal issues that might affect its value or your ability to use it. Ordering a survey early helps avoid delays in the home-buying process and ensures you're prepared to meet lender requirements.

6. Enhancing Title Insurance Coverage

Title insurance protects buyers and lenders against legal disputes over property ownership. However, title insurance typically excludes boundary disputes or issues that could have been revealed by a survey. By obtaining a survey, you may be able to negotiate expanded title insurance coverage, providing more comprehensive protection against future claims related to encroachments or land boundaries.

7. Planning for Future Improvements

If you plan to make improvements such as building an addition, installing a pool, or adding fencing, a survey is critical to ensure that you're building within the legal property boundaries. It also ensures that you adhere to local setback rules and zoning requirements, preventing any costly mistakes or legal disputes down the line.

Conclusion: Peace of Mind and Protection

In the home-buying process, ordering a property survey offers significant benefits. It provides clarity on property boundaries, identifies potential issues like encroachments or easements, and ensures compliance with local laws. Beyond the immediate peace of mind, having a survey in hand prepares you for future improvements and protects your investment for years to come. Don’t skip this essential step. Order a survey to safeguard your home purchase and avoid surprises.