Homeowners typically have a general idea of where their property lines are around their homes. Often, property lines are marked by streets, sidewalks, driveways, and fences, but every neighborhood has its own way of dividing properties. Regional developers buy hundreds of acres and divide them into lots. Here’s a look at how to easily determine your property lines.
Who Determines Property Lines and What Is Their Purpose?
Property lines are usually decided by either a developer who works with a construction firm or a government entity at the city, county, and state levels. Surveyors mark official boundaries when one property splits into two properties. The property line established across the front of a home plot is called the frontage. Property lines on the sides of the home are called sidelines, in which zoning laws commonly control distances.
The purpose of property lines is to establish privacy and keep owners from encroaching upon their neighbors. A common example of encroachment on a neighbor’s property is when tree branches grow to cross property lines. Homeowners need to know their precise property lines if they decide to renovate the home or build a new fence.
Ways to Find Your Precise Property Lines
There are several ways to learn your precise property lines. The most formal way is to hire a land surveyor licensed in your state. The surveyor will research county records to know how the lot and its subdivision have evolved. They also check for easements, which are shared land agreements. The cost of outsourcing to a land surveyor is usually between $330 and $670 per survey. However, it can go up to $1,000 per survey. The cost is generally determined by the location, size, and history of the property.
Another official way to confirm your property lines but without spending much money is to check your property deed, which provides a tax description of the property. This description of boundaries might include trees, bushes, or other natural landmarks. You can purchase a copy of your deed online from your county recorder. Here are some more methods to determine your property lines:
- Find the property line map issued when you bought the home
- Request the property survey from your mortgage broker
- Contact your municipal zoning department for assistance
- Ask your local or county government for a property survey
- Look for hidden survey pins used by builders to mark the land
- Use GPS apps
- Check sidewalks for different types of cement
Do Your Own Measurement Using a Plat
You can measure your lot with a lengthy measuring tape and a compass with the help of an assistant. Find the surveyor’s starting point labeled on the plat, which is a property map kept for public records by real estate agents, developers, and local officials. Plat maps are similar to surveys and are required locally when properties are subdivided.
Knowing your property lines is crucial when you decide to sell your property or if you want to build new structures on it. Are you looking to buy or sell a home in the Hermosa Beach area? Contact our experts at Brighton Escrow today. We are happy to offer you a top-tier escrow service.
