|
Many mortgage lenders in Maryland and Pennsylvania require a "Survey" as part of their loan documentation. This typically involves locating features such as existing buildings and fences on a plan that shows the property boundaries. A good surveyor will also verify the property line location in order to accurately locate the house or other building and site features. The "Survey" required by lenders, however, does not involve the surveyor locating the property corners (putting in pins or stakes) on the property or showing the location of adjacent features on the neighbor's property. If you are purchasing a small lot, you can get a rough idea of where your property corners and property lines are based on this basic plan.
Why would you want to know more? If you are purchasing a property that is large or wooded, you may not be able to judge where the property corner/lines are based on the house location survey. It will be less costly for a surveyor to mark the property lines or corners while he is at the site locating the house than if you call him back a year later when you want to build a fence. If your property is wooded, a surveyor may mark the trees or set stakes along the property line, since you probably won't be able to see between property corners.
If a surveyor marks your property lines when you purchase the property, you won't have to wonder if the fence or shed that your neighbor just built is on your property. In fact, you will be able to show the neighbor your property corners before they build. You will also be sure that the improvements you construct do not encroach on a neighbor's property. If you are purchasing a large property, knowledge of the location of your property line may be very valuable so that you know if people such as hikers or hunters are on your property.
Another type of survey known as a topographic survey shows elevation contours of a property. A topographic survey is valuable if you plan to construct a pool, shed/building, addition, or large amounts of landscaping. The topographic survey will help you determine if you need fill dirt, extensive grading or potentially a retaining wall to construct the improvements. A topographic survey will also help you assure that you can maintain rainfall runoff draining away from your home or other building improvements as you make changes to your property.
A surveyor can also provide you with information about local ordinances including what can legally be constructed on the piece of property you are purchasing. This may be very valuable, because the fact that there is open space on your lot does not always mean that the space is available for constructing improvements on your property.
A flood elevation certificate, another important service a Surveyor can provide when you purchase a property, could potentially save you thousands of dollars over the time you own your property. If you are told that you are in a flood plain, but your house sits high on the property, a flood elevation certificate may eliminate the need for or significantly reduce the cost of flood insurance.
If you are in the process of purchasing or considering purchasing a property, you may want to contact the surveying staff at Hanover Land Services, Inc. to make sure you know exactly what you are purchasing and what improvements to the property will be feasible. You can contact our licensed surveyors,
Reg Baugher, PLS at rbaugher@hanoverlandservices.com
Mark Riddle, LS at mriddle@hanoverlandservices.com
or call them at our Hanover office at 717-637-5674.
| 
