{"id":369363,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:23","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/neighbors\/top-10-reasons-to-have-your-property-surveyed.html"},"modified":"2025-08-25T09:52:45","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T14:52:45","slug":"top-10-reasons-to-have-your-property-surveyed","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/neighbors\/top-10-reasons-to-have-your-property-surveyed.html","title":{"rendered":"When Should You Get a Property Survey?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When Should You Get a Property Survey?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Balrina Ahluwalia, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Property surveys<\/span> are professional evaluations conducted by licensed surveyors<\/span> to determine exact boundaries, usage rights, and potential issues affecting real estate<\/span> ownership. They can identify property lines<\/span>, easements<\/span>, encroachments<\/span>, and structures that could impact your legal rights or property value. Although they aren\u2019t always required, most homebuyers<\/span> should obtain surveys before closing to avoid costly disputes and ensure they understand exactly what they’re purchasing.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The home-buying process<\/a> can be filled with hurdles, many of which you probably anticipated. Maybe it took a while to find the right home or reach an agreement on purchase price. Still, you got there.<\/p>\n

Then, just as you\u2019re proceeding smoothly toward closing, you\u2019re hit with the property survey report. Maybe it reveals that the driveway you thought would be yours is actually on shared land. Or you learn there\u2019s an easement giving another person the right to access your future property for some purpose.<\/p>\n

Whatever the issue, property surveys seldom bring welcome surprises. If you haven\u2019t already, you\u2019ll want to enlist the help of an experienced real estate attorney<\/a> to ensure your interests are protected. They can be invaluable at this stage before you\u2019ve closed. Not only will they be able to explain the risks and implications of the property surveyor\u2019s findings, but they can also often leverage your position to negotiate a resolution that works for you.<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll review some property survey information to keep in mind as you move forward. Let\u2019s start with the basics.<\/p>\n

What Is a Property Survey?<\/h2>\n

A property survey is a professional evaluation conducted by a licensed surveyor to gather specific information about a piece of land. The professional surveyor uses special tools to collect and assess information about the property and create a survey report.<\/p>\n

Depending on the type of survey performed, the report may include:<\/p>\n