Ordering a Texas Land Survey

Experts recommend having a land survey conducted during any type of real estate exchange. “Land survey” is a broad term applied to different processes for analyzing a property’s physical boundaries and the various usage possibilities for the area. When it comes to understanding the specifics of a particular piece of land, real estate buyers, sellers, mortgage lenders and title companies are all entitled to ask for a land survey conducted by a reputable and experienced land survey company in Guadalupe County, TX.

Why is a land survey ordered?

Any party involved in a real estate transaction can request a survey completed by a land survey company in Guadalupe County, TX. Since there are a variety of land survey types, this work may be conducted to better understand any number of aspects of the land and/or any of the buildings located on the grounds. A surveyor examines the property to answer questions about flood plains, to determine all the structures on the land, to determine if there has been any encroachment and any number of other useful pieces of information.

The question of who pays for a land survey is always negotiable. For example, a buyer might request that the seller provide a recent land survey before making the purchase. It can be in the seller’s best interest to pay for the survey in this scenario, even though the buyer requested it, because that person will then own the records from the survey to use in case that deal falls through. However, it is not required that a seller pay for a land survey.

Types of land surveys

When a land survey is ordered, it is done for a specific purpose. Therefore, a certain type of land survey will be done on the property. Depending on the party ordering the survey, the type can vary:

• Boundary survey: A surveyor determines the true boundaries of a property. The property’s corners and lines are noted with markers such as iron rods, pipes or concrete monuments in the ground, or nails set in asphalt or concrete.
• Mortgage survey: This type of survey is ordinarily ordered by a title company or a lender to ascertain if any buildings encroach on the property or if any of the structures are out of compliance with building and zoning codes.
• ALTA/ASCM survey: While other surveys do not have to comply with any sort of specifications, this one is completed within the standards of the American Land Title Association and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping.  The property is inspected for all buildings’ locations, any visible improvements, flood zones, easements and additional criteria.
• Topographic survey: A surveyor conducts this type of survey to identify all of the natural and man-made features on a property, ranging from barns to streams to elevation changes. The information is then used to contour lines on a map.
• Site planning survey: This combines a boundary survey with a topographic survey to use as the foundation for planning any new construction to the property. This can range from additions to an existing home to constructing a brand-new commercial building.

This just scratches the surface when it comes to land surveys and how they can help you make the right decisions during your next real estate transaction. If you are interested in learning more about how a land survey company in Guadalupe County, TX can better inform your current or future real estate dealings, contact Bettersworth & Associates, Inc. today!

Categorised in: Land Surveyor