Tips For Home Buyers: Do I Need A Survey?

Tips For Home Buyers: Do I Need A Survey?

In the midst of all the decisions about-to-be homeowners must make, some do not understand how important it is to have a survey accomplished on the property they are about to purchase. Invariably, when the subject comes up, many ask "Do I need a survey?".

A survey is a property map, used to determine the property boundary, easements (allowing a party to use land they do not own for a specific purpose. I.E. a water well or right-of-way), setbacks (distance a property must be from the property lines), location of improvements, and the exact home location within the property boundaries.

What do I need a survey for

To protect your investment in the event there is an encroachment issue or a building setback violation as well as providing you with a blueprint that identifies precisely what you are purchasing and the locations of the structures on the property.

Some of the problems that a survey will identify include:

• Fences/sheds over the property line
• Sprinkler placement issues
• Driveway encroachments
• Structures too close to setback
• Gardens, shrubs, trees planted over the property line
• Septic tanks too close to water wells
• Incorrect deeds/flood zone issues

What to do if there is a survey issue

Determine if the "issue" is worth fighting over. 1 foot on the back-end of a large back yard won't make as much difference as having a garage built partly on the neighbors property (or vice versa).

If you decide there is an issue that needs to be resolved, or it's decided for you, contact a real estate attorney to determine the next steps and whether adverse possession (encroacher gaining property boundary and rights) is applicable...In Georgia, the right of claim is 7 years but the law is complex so do not assume you have gained or lost property, call an attorney!

Note: If you purchase owner’s title insurance without a survey, the policy excludes coverage for anything a survey would have disclosed.

Buying real estate is a huge investment, and smart buyers who have a survey conducted (on both resale and new construction) put themselves in the best position to act proactively if a property issue arises.

How can middle Georgia home buyers ensure they make informed home purchasing decisions? Employ the services of a well qualified Warner Robins Real Estate Professional!

As always, Warner Robins real estate information is brought to you as a courtesy by Anita Clark, your Warner Robins Real Estate Consultant.

 

 

 

 

      

 

Anita Clark Realtor LLC

ColdwellBanker SSK Realtors

Cell: (478) 960-8055

Office: (478) 953-8595 x227

Email: anita@cbssk.com

Web: Warner Robins GA Real Estate

Blog: Warner Robins Real Estate Blog

        

 

 All original text, video, and photo content is the exclusive property of Anita Clark Realtor LLC and may not be used without expressed written permission. The information contained herein has been obtained through sources deemed reliable but cannot be guaranteed for its accuracy. We recommend to all buyers and sellers, that any information of special interest, should be obtained through independent verification. All measurements are approximate. Anita Clark, Realtor®, (478) 960-8055.