What is a fixed landmark, whether natural or human-made, used as a reference point in a metes and bounds legal description?

A fixed landmark, whether natural or human-made, serves as a crucial reference point in a metes and bounds legal description, and this is specifically referred to as a monument. In real estate, monuments are permanent physical markers that help identify and define boundaries on land. These can include trees, large rocks, or even man-made structures like fences or concrete markers.

When creating a metes and bounds description, surveyors often refer to these monuments to accurately convey the property's location and limits. Their permanence and visibility make them essential for establishing a reliable description that is less likely to change over time compared to less stable markers.

Understanding the role of monuments in property descriptions is vital for anyone involved in real estate, as they provide clarity and precision in determining property lines, which is essential for ownership rights and transactions. Other terms like marker, cornerstone, and reference point do not encompass the specific legal definition and function that a monument represents in this context.