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Lenders and title companies may ask for an ALTA property survey before you purchase a piece of real estate. This detailed survey, which meets the highest standards recognized in the real estate industry, gives buyers vital information about properties. Here’s what you need to know about ALTA surveys, including what to expect and when you’ll need to request one from a surveyor.

A Guide to ALTA Property Surveys

What It Isproperty surveys

An ALTA survey is a property survey that meets conditions set by the American Land Title Association. It specifies how a property should be mapped along a variety of dimensions. Information collected by surveyors who perform an ALTA survey includes property boundaries, easements and encumbrances, encroachments, names of neighboring property owners, land improvement histories, roads, property features, access routes, zoning classifications, flood zone categories, water boundaries, and legally proscribed descriptions of the property.

When It’s Needed

Although this thorough survey isn’t required for every real estate sale, the extra cost to have it compiled is recommended under certain circumstances. You should have an ALTA survey completed if you’re buying or selling commercial real estate or if you’re refinancing a commercial property. An ALTA survey will identify the risks of making this kind of real estate acquisition.

An ALTA survey is also recommended if you’re buying vacant land. Chances are a vacant lot has never been surveyed or was only surveyed a long time ago with outdated equipment. With an ALTA survey, you’ll receive updated information on boundary, encroachment, and ownership issues.

 

If your real estate purchase requires an ALTA property survey, call on Berling Engineering in Covington, KY. This land and lot surveying team provides continual updates on projects and thorough mapping analyses. They balance marketability, constructability and cost-efficiency for clients large and small. Learn more about their services by visiting them online, or call (859) 331-9191 to schedule a survey.

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