Surveying is an ancient practice. The Egyptians called them “rope stretchers” during the period when the Great Pyramid of Cheops was constructed. They used the technique as a basis for land taxation. When it comes to real estate, surveying is crucial for transactions. From settling disputes regarding property lines to assessing flood risk, the surveyor is a good friend to both real estate brokers and those buying and/or selling property.

Establishing Clear Property Boundaries

There’s the old question of “Whose tree is it?” Secondary questions in that situation include:

• If it needs cutting down, then who’s responsible for it?

• If it bears fruit, to whom does the fruit belong?

Of course, there are other considerations. Bill wants to build a fence. Susan, who lives next door, doesn’t want the fence on her property. Where’s the line? A surveyor will be able to tell. Also, knowing exactly how much area a property includes affects the value when it comes time to sell it.

Supporting Zoning and Land Use Compliance

Some municipalities require lots to be of a certain size. Based upon how big the lot is, there could also be restrictions on what kind of dwelling can be placed. In many places, people have questions about having recreational vehicles on their land. Homeowners also have to know if they may run small businesses on their property or not, and if they may, how it affects their property tax obligations.

Providing Documentation for Legal Protection

Let’s say that you buy a property that has a fence in the wrong place, and part of your neighbor’s yard is behind your fence. Even if it’s only a few inches, or even feet, you could face legal ramifications. You could find something valuable in that small parcel of land that belongs to your neighbor behind your fence. That “something” actually belongs to your neighbor, and that person could sue you for it. It’s far better to have a surveyor come in, do the requisite work, and tell you exactly where the property boundary is so that you can move the fence, thus avoiding any “Imperial entanglements.” It also works in reverse. Your land could be behind the neighbor’s fence, and having an accurate survey gives you protection if you take your neighbor to court.

Preventing Encroachment and Trespassing Issues

This goes hand-in-hand with legal protection. Your neighbor could be encroaching even if there’s no fence, hedge, or other barrier between you. You could also be encroaching on your neighbor’s property. In both cases, it’s possible for such encroachment to be inadvertent as well as on purpose. To keep goodwill between neighbors, it’s best to have a surveyor settle the issue once and for all.

Resolving Water and Environmental Disputes With Hydrographic Surveying

In certain areas of the country, water rights go back decades if not centuries. These rights drastically affect the value of properties, so it’s imperative to know what’s what regarding property lines near these water supplies.

Conclusion

Even though a surveyor can’t actually make the decision about who owns what, by settling where the property line is, the surveyor creates a foundation upon which august legal bodies can base their arguments.