5 things Land Surveyors wish you knew before you buy a new home or property

Buying a home or a property can be a very personal and stressful experience. Often the focus is on being able to just acquire the property, so, many people tend to focus on the financial side of the transaction by working with your Lender (if needed) and working with your Realtor to purchase the right property, rather than making sure the property itself doesn’t have any potential avoidable issues, or unknown potential risks.

People tend to get caught up in the stress of purchasing and closing and don’t have the time or skills necessary to properly analyze the property to make sure it’s going to work for you as you envisioned and avoid potentially costly mistakes.

The following topics are the most common issues I’ve seen arise over my career as a Professional Land Surveyor, and often the most costly:

1. Site Access

2. You can perform your own research

3. Your property has probably already been surveyed.

4. Terrain, Vegetation other Potential Risks.

Like the following:

• Steep Slopes

• Flat, Low spots or Wetlands

• Water Boundaries

• Wildlife Restrictions

• View Preservation

• Archeological Artifacts

• Encroachments

Professional analysis is recommended prior to purchasing properties to identify and advise on these kinds of potential risks.

5. Utilities & Easements

Like the Following:

• Water service

• Sewer Service or Septic System

• Power Service

• Gas Service

• Easements

Plan ahead for any future utility or easement needs you may have in order to

a) make sure the property has these available; or

b) have an understanding of what it will cost to acquire.

See Full Article (linked below) for more information on the aforementioned topics.