Legal Surveys for Easements, Plats, and Other Forms of Property Management

Land surveys are designed to collect information about a piece of property for the owner or other entity commissioning the survey. But the data collected ultimately depends on what you need it for. Purchasing, selling, or managing real estate often requires navigating a dense network of legal processes. Legal surveys is an umbrella term for land surveys that collect relevant data for things like easements, plats, property acquisitions, and boundary retracements.

McClure engineers can perform legal surveys according to your specific real estate needs and organize all info into a cohesive final report. We’ll ensure due diligence and accurate measurements no matter what type of land survey you need.

Determining the Type of Legal Survey You Need

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or an experienced developer, land surveys are an important step in a wide range of real estate projects. After a survey has been commissioned, the professional surveyor or team will determine the best way to collect the necessary information. The methods or equipment used to conduct a land survey will depend on the specific info you’re looking for.

In general, most surveys are used to:

  • identify existing improvements made to the land
  • confirm if there are restrictions against constructing new improvements
  • establish the property boundaries, particularly the corners
  • explore and record key information about natural features and terrain

The type of survey you want provides the legal context for how the information collected by the surveyor is used. For example, an ALTA Land Title Survey is often necessary for developing commercial real estate. When you commission this type of legal survey, the engineer in charge will know to prioritize info most likely to influence or hamper development, such as the property’s zoning classification.

Here are a few legal surveys McClure offers and what each type specializes in.

Legal Survey for Property Easements

A property easement allows specific portions of real estate to be accessible even for those who don’t own it. If the property you’re interested in possesses any easements, other people or entities will be able to use the land for certain reasons even if you became the land’s new owner. For example, a municipal utility easement would ensure technicians can continue to reach vital infrastructure for maintenance. Without the easement, the property owner could restrict access to the land.

There are several main types of easements, such as:

  • Utility easement: This common type protects public infrastructure for utilities like water or electricity. If a water pipe has to run underneath your property, a utility easement will be given.
  • Private easement: Private agreements between the property owner and another party are another common form of easement. What this easement protects will depend on what the other person involved is looking for. If they want to pave a driveway through your property, a private easement would make sure they always have access to it.
  • Easement by necessity: Certain aspects of real estate are guaranteed rights. An easement by necessity will protect those rights, such as the right of access to your home. If you needed to cross someone else’s land to reach your home, an easement by necessity would be required.

McClure can identify all existing property easements when commissioned for a legal survey.

Legal Survey for Property Acquisitions

Commissioning a land survey is one of the best things you can do while purchasing or acquiring a piece of property. Otherwise, complications such as easements or liens could become your legal responsibility to resolve. During any property acquisition, make sure to schedule a professional survey to avoid any unexpected liability.

Legal Survey for Boundary Retracement

When conducting a boundary retracement survey, the current expected property lines are compared to previous measurements found in records and private/public research. Sometimes there are discrepancies between past and current property lines. McClure engineers will determine the best way to confirm legal boundaries during retracement, such as reviewing any boundary surveys completed for adjacent property.

Legal Survey for Plats

A well-drafted plat provides a comprehensive visual map for how larger sections of land are subdivided as well as what features can be found in each lot. Surveys for plats should clearly feature each lot’s boundaries, particularly where they meet. When conducting a plat survey, the surveyor designates the starting point and circles the property until it returns to this point.

The map should match the written description the surveyor provides from their designated starting point. Key terrain features like hills or trees may be used to confirm that the measurements are accurate.

Where We Make an Impact

McClure can help you identify the best way to complete your legal survey, and provide the accurate and comprehensive information you need.

Legal Surveys for Easements, Plats, and Other Forms of Property Management

Land surveys are designed to collect information about a piece of property for the owner or other entity commissioning the survey. But the data collected ultimately depends on what you need it for. Purchasing, selling, or managing real estate often requires navigating a dense network of legal processes. Legal surveys is an umbrella term for land surveys that collect relevant data for things like easements, plats, property acquisitions, and boundary retracements.

McClure engineers can perform legal surveys according to your specific real estate needs and organize all info into a cohesive final report. We’ll ensure due diligence and accurate measurements no matter what type of land survey you need.

Determining the Type of Legal Survey You Need

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or an experienced developer, land surveys are an important step in a wide range of real estate projects. After a survey has been commissioned, the professional surveyor or team will determine the best way to collect the necessary information. The methods or equipment used to conduct a land survey will depend on the specific info you’re looking for.

In general, most surveys are used to:

  • identify existing improvements made to the land
  • confirm if there are restrictions against constructing new improvements
  • establish the property boundaries, particularly the corners
  • explore and record key information about natural features and terrain

The type of survey you want provides the legal context for how the information collected by the surveyor is used. For example, an ALTA Land Title Survey is often necessary for developing commercial real estate. When you commission this type of legal survey, the engineer in charge will know to prioritize info most likely to influence or hamper development, such as the property’s zoning classification.

Here are a few legal surveys McClure offers and what each type specializes in.

Legal Survey for Property Easements

A property easement allows specific portions of real estate to be accessible even for those who don’t own it. If the property you’re interested in possesses any easements, other people or entities will be able to use the land for certain reasons even if you became the land’s new owner. For example, a municipal utility easement would ensure technicians can continue to reach vital infrastructure for maintenance. Without the easement, the property owner could restrict access to the land.

There are several main types of easements, such as:

  • Utility easement: This common type protects public infrastructure for utilities like water or electricity. If a water pipe has to run underneath your property, a utility easement will be given.
  • Private easement: Private agreements between the property owner and another party are another common form of easement. What this easement protects will depend on what the other person involved is looking for. If they want to pave a driveway through your property, a private easement would make sure they always have access to it.
  • Easement by necessity: Certain aspects of real estate are guaranteed rights. An easement by necessity will protect those rights, such as the right of access to your home. If you needed to cross someone else’s land to reach your home, an easement by necessity would be required.

McClure can identify all existing property easements when commissioned for a legal survey.

Legal Survey for Property Acquisitions

Commissioning a land survey is one of the best things you can do while purchasing or acquiring a piece of property. Otherwise, complications such as easements or liens could become your legal responsibility to resolve. During any property acquisition, make sure to schedule a professional survey to avoid any unexpected liability.

Legal Survey for Boundary Retracement

When conducting a boundary retracement survey, the current expected property lines are compared to previous measurements found in records and private/public research. Sometimes there are discrepancies between past and current property lines. McClure engineers will determine the best way to confirm legal boundaries during retracement, such as reviewing any boundary surveys completed for adjacent property.

Legal Survey for Plats

A well-drafted plat provides a comprehensive visual map for how larger sections of land are subdivided as well as what features can be found in each lot. Surveys for plats should clearly feature each lot’s boundaries, particularly where they meet. When conducting a plat survey, the surveyor designates the starting point and circles the property until it returns to this point.

The map should match the written description the surveyor provides from their designated starting point. Key terrain features like hills or trees may be used to confirm that the measurements are accurate.

WHERE WE MAKE AN IMPACT

McClure can help you identify the best way to complete your legal survey, and provide the accurate and comprehensive information you need.