Open Field Next Door? Get a Boundary Survey Before You Buy

Open fields seem to offer endless potential. You can finally build that swimming pool, wood shop or playground you’ve always wanted. Imagine the family reunions or having 100 friends over and no one around to make noise complaints! Do not dream too hastily, though. An open field often means nebulous boundaries, and if you violate them, that could result in a pool-sized amount of legal fees. Before you fall in love with that open field, here are four reasons to secure a boundary survey in Guadalupe County, TX:

• The lure of big promises: If you are buying and your realtor makes big promises about private tennis courts and a new auto shop, ask for verification before you fall in love with the property. Even if the seller honored a specific boundary for years, that does not mean it is accurate. Ask if there is a survey, and if not, order one before you buy. There is nothing much worse than to start an improvement project only to learn you have to tear it down to avoid a lawsuit.
• Fences lie: That expensive vinyl fencing that is both attractive and safe for livestock may not accurately reflect the boundaries. It may be a landowner taking advantage of rarely used land or an accepted situation that has lasted for decades. However, land changes hands, and while your current neighbor may be okay with the intrusion, a new neighbor may run a survey and demand you move the fences. It is better to discover inaccurate fencing before you buy because you can make adjustments part of the purchase agreement.
• Save money: You will have to pay for a boundary survey, and many homeowners scoff at the thought of paying for professional services before they buy or build. However, if you are nearly done with an in-ground swimming pool only to have to deconstruct it and rebuild due to a boundary dispute, that is also going to cost you a lot of money. Also, you will have to order a boundary survey anyway to ensure your neighbor’s information is accurate and you are not moving things around for no reason. You might as well make the investment before you build and save more money in the long run.
• Good surprises: A boundary survey may also confirm that your potential property is bigger than you initially thought. You may discover that your neighbor is encroaching on you, rather than the other way around. Even a few feet can make the difference between an in-ground or above-ground pool, or whether that new garage can hold one more car. You deserve to know just how much you can own and where you can build. Do not let inaccurate boundaries hold you back.

Bettersworth & Associates, Inc. offers expertise in land surveys, including your needed boundary survey in Guadalupe County, TX. We can also assess utility easements and other factors that could affect whether you can build. Call us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about our services!

Categorised in: Boundary Survey