Penny-wise or Pound-foolish: Why a Property Survey or House Location Drawing Is Essential When Buying Real Estate
When purchasing real estate—whether it’s a first home, an investment property, or vacant land—many buyers focus primarily on the obvious factors: price, location, square footage, and condition of the home. However, one of the most overlooked but crucial steps in the buying process is obtaining a property survey or house location drawing. This document, prepared by a licensed surveyor, outlines the legal boundaries of the property and identifies the location of structures, easements, encroachments, and other physical features. While it may seem like a minor detail in a major transaction, skipping this step can lead to significant legal, financial, and logistical issues down the line.
What Is a Property Survey or House Location Drawing?
A property survey is a detailed map or drawing that shows the exact boundaries of a parcel of land, along with any improvements (like buildings, fences, or driveways) and legal encumbrances (like utility easements or rights of way). Depending on the level of detail, surveys can include:
Boundary lines
Setback requirements
Easements and encroachments
Zoning classifications
Legal descriptions of the property
A house location drawing is a simpler, often less expensive version of a full survey. It’s commonly used during residential transactions to show the relative location of improvements on a lot. While it’s not as precise or legally binding as a full boundary survey, it can still help reveal potential issues.
Why You Should Always Get a Survey Before Buying Property
1. Verify Property Boundaries
One of the most important reasons to get a survey is to confirm the legal boundaries of the property you’re purchasing. The physical markers (like fences or hedges) may not align with the legal property lines. Inaccurate assumptions about where your land begins and ends can lead to disputes with neighbors—and costly legal battles.
Imagine building a fence, garage, or pool, only to find out months later that part of it sits on your neighbor’s land. A property survey protects you from these headaches by showing you exactly what you own.
2. Uncover Easements and Restrictions
An easement gives another party the legal right to use a portion of your property for a specific purpose—like a utility company running power lines or a neighbor accessing a shared driveway. Easements often remain hidden unless disclosed in a survey or title report.
A survey can help you understand:
Whether there are utility easements or rights of way
If there are shared driveways
Whether municipal setbacks limit where you can build
This information is critical if you plan to add to or renovate the property, as these restrictions may impact your ability to do so.
3. Detect Encroachments
An encroachment occurs when a structure (like a fence, deck, or building) from one property extends onto another. These can lead to serious legal disputes, especially if the encroachment has been in place for a long time.
A survey can show whether:
Your future neighbor’s fence is on your land
The property’s structures are built within the lot lines
Any additions or improvements violate zoning regulations
Dealing with encroachments after the purchase can be expensive and time-consuming. It’s much better to catch these issues beforehand.
Protecting Your Investment
A property purchase is one of the largest financial commitments most people make. Spending a few hundred dollars on a survey may seem like an unnecessary expense during an already expensive process—but it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Consider this: if a boundary issue arises after the purchase and you don’t have a recent survey, you may not be able to defend your claim to the property without costly legal action. In contrast, having a survey as part of your closing documents strengthens your position and may prevent the issue altogether.
Conclusion
In real estate, what you don’t know can hurt you. A property survey or house location drawing is an invaluable tool that provides clarity, prevents disputes, and protects your investment. Whether you’re buying a suburban home, a rural farm, or a downtown condo, taking the time to get a survey is a smart and proactive step that every buyer should consider non-negotiable.
By understanding exactly what you’re buying—from boundaries to easements—you can move forward with confidence, knowing there won’t be unwelcome surprises later on.
