Know Your Boundaries
Purchasing property is an exciting investment, but it’s also a process filled with details that can have long-lasting effects. One of the most important steps is ensuring that the property’s boundaries are clearly defined.
At first glance, boundaries may seem straightforward. A fence, hedge, or even a natural feature like a tree line often feels like the edge of a property. Over the years, fences shift, landscaping creeps, and assumptions are made that don’t always align with the legal reality. What appears to be a minor discrepancy on the surface can create significant and expensive problems later on.
Without a clear understanding of boundaries, buyers risk inheriting issues they didn’t anticipate:
Neighbor disputes over fences, driveways, or outbuildings that extend beyond the line.
Legal complications if the property is smaller—or larger—than described in the deed.
Unexpected costs to move, rebuild, or adjust improvements that fall outside the property.
A professional boundary survey addresses these problems before they start. Surveyors are licensed experts who conduct careful field measurements, review historical records, and interpret legal descriptions to determine exact boundary lines. By combining precise technical work and thorough research, they create an accurate map of where your property begins and ends, ensuring what you see matches what you are buying.
Clear boundaries also add long-term value. They protect your investment if you decide to sell, develop, or make improvements in the future. With reliable survey data, you can move forward confidently, knowing your project won’t be derailed by a line dispute years later.
Case Study:
We recently worked with a client who ended up selling her property and moving because of a line dispute with her neighbor over an encroachment. If this issue had been resolved prior to our client’s purchase, selling might not have been necessary. Line disputes are often uncomfortable and time-consuming, so resolving them before a sale can prevent unnecessary complications.
In short, clear boundaries are about more than just lines on a map—they’re about peace of mind. They give buyers certainty, protect relationships with neighbors, and safeguard the financial investment that comes with owning land. Before signing on the dotted line, make sure your boundaries are as precise on the ground as they are on paper.