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What’s wrong with that survey?

June 14, 2014 By Doug Francis

House location survey stake

If you want stakes then your house location survey will cost significantly more.

A couple of years ago I wrote about missing house surveys since mortgage lenders aren’t requiring them anymore. And, you know what, it still bugs me that they don’t care about the property you are buying.

They don’t care, but you should.

If you are thinking about buying a house then know I feel seeing a survey is about as mandatory as having a professional home inspection. The home inspector will be looking at the structure and mechanical systems, but not at the fences or setbacks. Only a survey will show you where your the property ends.

If the seller has been there for decades then an accurate survey may not exist. The corners will stay the same but the fences and structure may be different. But, if the seller bought the house sometime in the past thirty years, then one probably exists in a file somewhere and it’s okay ask if they have one.

Sometimes a house location/boundary survey may be referred to as a plat, but stick with using house location survey and people will know you want a specific drawing of {insert address here}.

Here is what I look for on a survey:

  • The corners of the property
  • The front width and back width
  • Location of fences (at that time)
  • Distance from the street
  • Distance from the back
  • Looking at easements
  • Existing wells or septic systems
  • Utility poles
  • Encroaching structures

If a survey just does not exist then don’t panic because you can get a lot of information from county tax records that may satisfy your curiosity. I look there for my real estate clients because I want to know what the surrounding properties are… or if there are easements for future roads.

Another easy home buyer tip

My easy home buyer tip here for you is to ask your lender if they require a survey, and if not, ask the Title or Escrow company to order one for you (costing around $400 depending on the lot size). They know licensed land surveyors who can create the location of everything there that day, and then you can review that drawing with the settlement agent prior to signing off on the final closing documents.

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Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, real estate, Vienna Virginia

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In-depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" global ad campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna (#3!). He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

Helping my clients add value to their homes has always been important to me. My step-by-step recommendations are intended to increase market appeal, return more than invested, and help net more when selling.

Beyond just sellers, I have helped many new homeowners make smart design decisions when remodeling. We gutted our house and totally remodeled it, and I pass that experience along because living in a nice house is simply better.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Questions? Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

Filmed in Vienna and McLean

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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for 2023 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

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