SURVEYING YOUR OWN LAND
Finding property markers saves you time, expense and trouble, including how to read a property description, preparing for the search, the fieldwork.
MOTHER'S HANDBOOK
RELATED CONTENT
Does "finders keepers" apply to an old property deed?...
Readers respond to prior article....
Mastering the complications and mysteries of surveying, including elevations, foundations, angles, ...
Feedback On . . . Surveying
Reader offers feedback and improvements on previously published ...
An introduction to land measuring for the layperson and beginner's guide to the necessary tools and...
By Chris Huck
Finding property markers saves your time, expense and
trouble.
Because I live in the country and have done some surveying,
I am often being asked about property boundaries. The
questions are varied: "How much does a surveyor cost?" "Can
I do it myself?" "What equipment do I need?" "What do my
property corners look like?" "What are the laws concerning
surveying and property boundaries?" "Where are my property
records?" People ask these questions, not from a desire to
fence and post their land, but because of pride of
ownership, the desire for knowledge, or — sometimes
— to protect themselves from the threat of
encroachment.
Take my friend up the road. For years, he had lived
peacefully on his 20-acre farm. Then a smooth operator
bought the property next door, and subdivision plans began
looming on his boundaries. My friend ended up paying a
surveyor $1,500 — just to ensure that the new
neighbor's ambitions wouldn't include any of his
farm.
A thin line separates the smooth operators of this world
from those of you who prefer to live and let live —
the boundary line of your property. Your right to build or
farm, your right to live on land the way you see fit, even
your family dog's right to roam at will — all stop at
that line. This article will tell you everything you need
to know to find it, on the ground . If the thought
of doing your own surveying scares you, don't worry. You
don't have to be a genius to find your property boundaries
— just a detective.
Knowing how to find your own property markers can save you
time, expense, and trouble. But be aware that there's a big
difference between finding established lines and
setting new ones (or adjusting incorrect old
ones). Only a licensed surveyor is legally qualified to set
or move lines.
How to Read a Property Description
You've heard it said that the job isn't over till the
paperwork is done? In this job, the paperwork comes first.
Don't set foot outside until you have in hand every
document that could help. First on the list is the portion
of your property deed called the legal description
: the description in words of your property lines. And
before you can understand how to decode that description,
you must learn which of the two common surveying methods
applies to your property. One is the metes and bounds
method; the other is the public land survey system.
Page: 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
Next >>
