Creating A Lush and Welcoming Landscape

When real estate property changes hands, a land survey is frequently done. This is to ensure the boundary lines are accurate per the legal description. When the property is commercial rather than residential, an American Land Title Association (ALTA) survey is typically done. This is a more detailed land survey, and as most commercial properties will be landscaped, it is more useful. Here is what you should know about the ALTA land surveying process.

What Is The Difference Between An ALTA Land Survey And A Traditional Property Survey?

A traditional property survey will only tell you where the property boundary markers are. With an ALTA survey, you will get more information about the property. They will let you know if there are any easements, encroachments, or encumbrances.

A property easement is when someone is granted the legal right to use part of your property but you remain the legal owner. Easements are often granted to utility companies or to someone who has no other way to access their adjoining property.  An encroachment is when someone is either knowingly or unknowingly illegally using a part of someone else's property. For example, someone may have built part or all of a building on property they don't legally own. An encumbrance is a claim against the property owner that will need to be worked out before the deed can be transferred. This could potentially be expensive and is something a prospective company needs to know.

An ALTA survey will also provide specific information about the property. It will show where buried utilities are. It will provide the specific zoning information, which can limit what you can and can't do with the property. It will show you if it is in a flood zone or where swampy areas are, for example. This is useful and important information for building contractors and landscape architects to know before they start their projects. An ALTA survey will also show old burial grounds or other things buried beneath the soil.

What Are The Steps Of An ALTA Survey?

An ALTA survey begins with an extensive investigation into public as well as private land records. This information will provide the chain of legal ownership history on the property. When this is completed, the land surveyor will visit the property. They will locate previous boundary markers and use special tools to gauge their accuracy. They may take aerial photos, construct various maps, and place markers on existing buildings, fences, roadways, waterways, and other notable topographical and terrain features. Once this work is done, they will then compile their data and write a property analysis.