3 Top Land Surveying Facts for Prospective Land Buyers
It is not always black and white when it comes to property boundaries. Change in land ownership over time and the laying of public utility lines may alter land boundaries thereby making physical measurements different from what is on paper. Therefore, land surveying services are a vital part of buying property. Here are some lands surveying insights for prospective land buyers.
Establishing Property Boundaries -- It is a legal requirement to survey a property before any construction work can commence, even if you do not intend to start any construction immediately. Surveying a property ensures that you know the exact boundaries of the land to avoid any future challenges such as disputes with neighbours and the local authority. During the surveying process, a land surveyor will determine the boundaries, which can be natural such as rock formations and rivers or documentation on paper. Notably, a land survey can determine the actual size of the land you intend to buy so that you can get value for money. For example, if a property seller and land records indicate that a particular property is 0.8 acres, yet your survey shows that the land is 0.75 acres, then you have a solid ground to renegotiate the original offer downwards. However, when you want to sell the property in future, your asking price can only be established through a land survey.
Insurance -- Property buyers should shield themselves from any potential liability stemming from actions of omission or commission by a land surveyor during a surveying job. For instance, when surveying a property, damage to utility lines that pass through the land can occur. If a land surveyor has no liability insurance, the resultant cost of repairing and replacement can be passed to the buyer at a later date. Also, since a land survey report details how foundational components of a home are set up together with the drainage system, any wrong information can potentially harm your building, underground water sources or the drainage system. Therefore, ensure that your surveyor or firm has adequate liability insurance in case of such eventualities.
Determination of Easements -- Surveying a property before buying ensures that prospective buyers can determine if easements exist on the property in question. An easement can restrict development on the whole or part of the property, especially if utility lines pass through it. Also, you might have to grant third parties access to the land regarding a driveway or walkway depending on the nature of the easement. Therefore, by conducting a property survey, you will be able to negotiate the price based on the new information you acquire about easements.