Why Every Ohio Real Estate Transaction Needs a Land Surveyor

In Ohio, as with most places, buying or selling property can be a complicated process involving many legal, technical, and financial considerations. One crucial step that often goes overlooked is the land survey. A land surveyor plays a vital role in real estate transactions by providing accurate, detailed information about the land in question.

Their work helps ensure that buyers, sellers, and lenders have clear, reliable data about property boundaries, legal descriptions, and potential issues. Here's a closer look at why land surveyors are so important in Ohio real estate deals.

What is a Land Surveyor?

A land surveyor is a licensed professional who measures and maps land, establishing property boundaries and determining the physical characteristics of a property. In, land surveyor Ohio, it must be certified by the Ohio State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors, ensuring that they are qualified to handle the technical demands of property surveys.

Surveyors use a combination of tools, technology, and historical records to create accurate, up-to-date surveys of a property. These surveys are crucial for several aspects of real estate transactions, including property sales, zoning compliance, and title transfers.

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Ensuring Accurate Property Boundaries

One of the primary roles of a land surveyor is to define and verify the boundaries of a property. Property disputes often arise when there is confusion about where one property ends and another begins.

By conducting a land survey, the surveyor identifies the exact boundaries of a property, often marking them with physical markers such as stakes or flags.

For Ohio property buyers, knowing the precise boundaries of a property is essential for avoiding conflicts with neighbors, local authorities, and even the government. Without this crucial information, there could be legal issues over land ownership, easements, or encroachments, which can delay or even derail a real estate transaction.

Verifying Legal Descriptions and Title

Land surveyors also play a key role in verifying legal descriptions and ensuring that the title to the property is accurate. When a piece of land is bought or sold, the legal description (usually found in the deed) is meant to match the physical boundaries of the property.

If discrepancies arise between the legal description and the actual boundaries, it can lead to serious problems during the transaction.

By conducting a land survey, surveyors can confirm that the legal description accurately reflects the property’s boundaries, reducing the risk of title disputes. This is essential for lenders who may require a clear and accurate title before approving financing for the transaction.

Identifying Potential Issues

Land surveyors are experts at identifying potential problems with a property before the transaction is completed. For example, a survey may reveal issues such as:

• Easements: These are legal rights for others to use part of the property for specific purposes, such as utility access or roadways. Surveyors can identify these easements, ensuring that buyers are aware of any restrictions before making a purchase.
• Encroachments: Sometimes, structures like fences, driveways, or buildings may extend over property boundaries, leading to disputes between neighbors. A surveyor can identify these encroachments and provide solutions to resolve the issue.
• Zoning Compliance: Surveyors help ensure that the property complies with local zoning laws, which dictate how land can be used. This can be especially important if the buyer plans to develop or alter the property in any way.

By identifying these issues early in the process, surveyors help buyers avoid unexpected costs and complications down the road.

Supporting Lenders and Insurance Companies

For lenders, land surveys are often a requirement when financing a real estate transaction. The lender needs to ensure that the property is properly described and that no legal issues will affect its value or ownership.

A survey provides the lender with reassurance that the property is worth the loan amount and that there are no major issues with the land.

Insurance companies also rely on land surveys to assess risk and provide the necessary coverage for the property. Without an accurate survey, insurance companies may refuse coverage or provide inadequate protection.

Conclusion

In Ohio real estate transactions, the role of a land surveyor cannot be overstated. They provide critical information about property boundaries, legal descriptions, and potential issues that can affect the transaction.

Whether you're buying, selling, or financing a property, hiring a licensed land surveyor helps ensure that your real estate deal is smooth, transparent, and free from costly surprises. If you're involved in an Ohio real estate transaction, make sure to consult a professional land surveyor to avoid unnecessary complications and ensure peace of mind throughout the process.