What is a survey in real estate?

A survey in real estate refers to the process of finding and measuring property boundaries. It is a critical step in determining exactly where one property ends and another begins, ensuring that land use complies with zoning laws and local regulations. Surveys can reveal easements, encroachments, and other aspects that affect property ownership and usage.

The importance of a survey cannot be overstated, as it provides essential information for both buyers and sellers, helping to avoid disputes over property lines and ensuring clear title to land. It involves the use of specialized equipment and techniques to plot the boundaries and features of a property accurately.

While assessment of a property's value, legal procedures for transferring ownership, and calculations of property tax obligations are all important aspects of real estate, they do not encapsulate the primary function of a survey, which is strictly related to the physical dimensions and boundaries of a property. This distinction clarifies why measuring property boundaries is the correct definition of a survey in this context.