ALTA Surveys: Why Do You Need One?
Whether you purchase an empty land plot or property with homes or other buildings on it, information about the land itself is vital. You can make smarter decisions about what you'll do with the land with more details. Surveyors who complete American Land Title Association—or ALTA—surveys can provide land information vital to your property ownership. What situations would call for this?
Your Property Is Large
When you own acres and acres of land, much can be a mystery. You might not venture out onto the edges of your property often, or pay attention to minor details. However, when you want to start selling off parts of it or building on areas previously unmonitored, you need the best information about the area that you can get.
An ALTA survey might detail utility information so that you know whether you'll need to arrange new utility agreements to power and service any new buildings. The surveyor will also investigate any state, county, or federal easements that affect portions of your land. For example, if an old easement grants usage to the state, they may own the spot you're considering selling or building on.
You're Actively Selling the Property
If you're offering land to others, they rely on you to give them the totality of the information you've got. Helping prospective owners now is not only kind but might help you steer clear of legal trouble later if the buyers discover something about the land after you sell it.
You're a New Owner of the Property
If you're the new owner through an inheritance or a sale, important details may not have been passed on to you by the former owners. You'll need a comprehensive ALTA survey to learn more about what you've bought or inherited. Are there multiple underground propane tanks? Does the county own any aspect of the property? What soils are on the property? Can you build on those types of soils? All those answers should be revealed by the surveyor.
Perhaps most importantly, the simple act of checking boundaries is also done with an ALTA project. An old agreement to place a fence at a certain spot could have been long lost from memory—until you want a new one and a neighbor forbids it. Land that you think is yours might not be. Avoid such issues with a single survey.
Discussing real estate with an ALTA surveyor will give you more details about how such surveys are smart for your specific property. Allow their guidance.
