Do You Need a Survey When Buying a Home?

When you apply for a mortgage, your lender will more than likely require that you get a survey of the
property. A survey shows the boundaries of the property and whether there are any encroachments
such as buildings, sheds, fences or easements. For example, utilities and cable companies typically have
an easement to access their equipment on your property.

The survey is important because it shows the different improvements made to the property, like a new
garage or an addition to the house. Any deviations in the size of the lot, structure or boundary lines are
specified in the survey.

The survey protects you from potential lawsuits that could occur over boundary disputes. If you’re
buying a condominium unit, you don’t need a survey, but you should obtain the plat plans from the
association. Always get a survey prior to starting to build a new home. Don’t depend on your builder to
determine the building location in relation to your lot lines.

Even if your lender does not require a survey, it’s in your best interest to get one before you close the
transaction to help protect your investment.