Triangle Area Real Estate News & Information

When buying a piece of property, whether it has a home on it, or it is an investment in land, a survey is an incredibly valuable tool. Surveys may accompany a sale or a buyer may invest in a survey to determine use or future use of land. If you are building a fence, putting in a pool, or simply would like to understand where your land ends and your neighbors begins, a survey is your solution. We would like to offer some reasons to obtain a survey and answer some frequently asked questions regarding a survey.

Surveyors

Surveyors are experts at defining a property's legal boundary. Their process starts by compiling historical surveys, records, and titles, then they write a report that includes photos, street address, a written description of the land  and boundaries, easements associated, location of neighboring properties, and location of existing structures on the land. On their physical visit to the property they will take exact measurements and notes.

Homebuying Process and the Role of the Survey

Most homes do not come with a survey and plat maps are not surveys. Some Sellers have a survey that they had done when they purchased the property however things change and these cannot be relied on to be accurate nor if there is a boundary issue will it be covered by your Title Insurance if you were to reference this past survey. We cannot recommend strongly enough to our buyers that they get themselves a survey at the time of purchase. In addition every real estate attorney we know also encourages buyers to get a survey done. If you are in a land dispute, it is the last word. Since this is so important, you should choose a surveyor with a good reputation (online and in person) and one that has active licenses and affiliations.

Common Q&A's on Surveys

How much does a survey cost? Survey costs are associated with the size of land and can range anywhere from $400 to $1500. This is an important investment and should not be one that you shop around for a discount, it can cost you later.

Is my property surveyed already?  While it may have been surveyed in the past things change over time and an old survey may or may not help you. Many counties in North Carolina require a current survey in the name of the current property owner in order to erect a fence or install a pool. That said if a seller does provide a copy of their survey, it often makes sense to contact that surveyor and request it be updated as this can potentially save you money.;

Do I need a survey to build improvements? If you are building a fence or really any dwelling, you should have a survey to be sure that the build is legal. When you submit permitting requests a survey is a requirement.

If you are building a new home or are a buyer wanting more information on properties in The Triangle area get in touch with the MyNCHome team today! Send them a message or give them a call at 919-451-7868.