Your property is surrounded by boundaries. These boundaries separate your land from your neighbors or public lands. Most homeowners and property owners rely on these boundaries to dictate what is rightfully theirs. But are you confident the boundary lines are correct? Over time, the boundary lines can become a bit blurred, especially if they were established decades ago or if the information was not passed on by the realtor when the home was purchased. Many people are actually encroaching on their neighbors’ property without even knowing it! Unfortunately, the mistake isn’t usually realized until a property line dispute emerges.
This is why boundary surveys are so important. The survey is conducted by a registered land surveyor to identify the actual boundary lines of the property and the corners of the parcel. Once the boundary survey has been completed, the surveyor will create a new map of the parcel with the updated boundaries. This information is legally binding and will be able to stand up in court if a property dispute were to arise.
Here are four situations in which you will need to hire a boundary surveyor in Texas:
- Purchasing a property: Planning on purchasing a new home or plot of land? Make sure to have a boundary survey completed before you sign the deed. It’s important to know the exact boundaries of the property before the deal is finalized. This is done to ensure the property size and boundaries match the information on the deed. If they don’t match, the new information could affect the value of the property, or even change your offering price.
- New construction: Avoid a costly mistake by having a boundary survey conducted prior to building a new addition to your home. Tearing down and rebuilding a structure after discovering it encroaches on a neighboring property can cost you thousands of dollars. That’s not including the legal fees that would arise if the neighbor takes the issue to court. Have a boundary survey conducted before the work begins to guarantee you are building only on your own property.
- Insurance requirements: Some insurance companies require a boundary survey to determine whether the land is located within a FEMA-designated flood zone. Building within a flood zone can lead to huge premium increases due to the high-risk environment. Failing to disclose the risk of the location to your insurance provider could lead to steep fines.
- Verify encroachments: Did you know that a neighbor or the local utility company may have the legal right to access your driveway or a road that goes through your property? Encroachments and easements give a third party the right to cross the land for a specified purpose. A boundary survey will identify and verify any existing easements or encroachments.
It’s important to remember that local governing bodies will only recognize boundary surveys conducted by a licensed professional. Only the findings of a registered boundary surveyor in Texas will be legally admissible in court if a property dispute were to arise. Call D.G. Smyth & Company today to learn more about how a boundary survey can protect you and your property.