Understanding the boundaries of your property is crucial for various reasons. Not only does it give you a clear idea of your land, but it also helps avoid potential legal issues with neighbors.
In this article, we’ll explore different methods to find your property line for free, ensuring accuracy and legal compliance.
What Are Property Lines?
In simple terms, a property line is like an official line that shows where one piece of land ends and another begins. It’s legal to say who owns which part of the land. Sometimes, you can easily see the property line, like when there’s a fence, road, stream, or river. But other times, you can’t see it at all.
In those cases, you might need legal papers to prove where the property lines are. If you own a home, knowing where your property starts and stops is important. This helps you avoid problems with your neighbors and legal issues. It’s also useful if you want insurance for your property.
Why is it Important to Find Property Lines?
Property lines are important because they help avoid confusion or arguments about where one person’s land starts and another’s ends. Let’s say you want to plant some hedges in your backyard for privacy, but there are no fences between your property and your neighbor’s.
How do you know where to plant without going into your neighbor’s space? The answer is property lines. Knowing these lines helps you plant your hedges in the right spot and avoid legal problems later.
There are other examples too. When you buy a house, knowing the property lines tells you exactly what land you’re getting. You can share this info with your mortgage lender or insurance company.
This can help you get a mortgage or insurance faster and on better terms. So, finding property lines is important for many reasons, and there are different ways to do it!
How to Find Property Lines For Free In 6 Ways:
If you don’t have a lot of money to spare, no need to stress. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to locate the property lines of your home. In fact, there are six simple ways you can find them either for free or without spending much money. These methods include:
1. Use a Property Line Map:
A “plat” is a map showing property lines, structures, and environmental features. It’s usually included in your property paperwork. If you don’t have it, get a copy from the local assessor’s office or online.
2. Review the Property Deed:
Check your property deed for details on legal boundaries. Deeds typically describe the property’s limits and contents. Some deeds may lack this info, directing you to an older deed. Be cautious, as older deeds may refer to landmarks or features that no longer exist. Verify accuracy by touring your property before relying on outdated deed details for legal matters or future projects.
3. Do a Property Line Survey:
Consider getting a property line survey for precise land measurements. Some surveys may be in your deed or plat. If not, hire a professional surveyor to do it. Qualified surveyors can accurately determine your property’s legal boundaries and provide additional information like ecological restrictions or subdivisions.
Ensure you choose a reputable and qualified surveyor for accurate results. New homeowners should note that mortgage lenders often require updated surveys before finalizing property purchases.
4. Find an Existing Property Line Survey:
If you’re lucky, a property line survey might already be in local records or with your mortgage/title companies. Most lenders require a current survey for homebuyers. Contact your mortgage or title company for a copy.
Alternatively, check with your county’s tax assessor’s office for existing property line records, often available online for free, though some may require a small fee or in-person retrieval. Rules vary by location.
5. Look for Property Line Markers:
If you’re buying a newer property, you might find markers like flags, stakes, or light fences already placed by a surveyor during the initial land division. These markers are likely accurate.
While convenient, for major expansions, you may still need detailed property line info or legal documents to avoid issues with neighbors.
6. Do a DIY Property Line Measurement:
If you’re a hands-on homeowner, you can measure your property lines using a tape measure. Find key points in your deed’s description, measure to the property’s edge, and mark it with a stake. Repeat for other points to identify all edges and corners.
Compare measurements to your deed or plat. While not legally binding, this DIY approach is helpful for planning projects like planting hedges or removing trees.
How To Find Property Lines Online?
To find property lines online, check your county website, as many areas now have digital property records. Explore interactive features for residents. Google your area to see if this is available, as more counties than you might think offer this service.
Another option is privately owned Geographic Information System (GIS) websites, which digitize maps. Search online, starting with a Google search, to access this information beyond your local government.
Is There an App That Shows Property Lines?
Yes, some apps show property lines and one option is LandGlide. It’s free for the first seven days, using GPS to determine property lines across 3000 counties, covering 95% of the US population. After the trial, it costs either $9.99 monthly or $99.99 yearly.
For more frequent use, the Regrid App allows you to view property lines and bookmark properties, with additional features starting at $10 per month. Property Survey GPS is another user-friendly app for measuring and surveying land, offering a one-month free trial for storing final measurements.
Can You See Property Lines On Google Maps?
You might find property lines on Google Maps by entering an exact address. Zoom in to see lines around the lot. However, it doesn’t work everywhere. If not, check county records or use the mentioned apps.
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How Are Property Lines Calculated?
Property lines are typically determined using a method called the Rectangular Survey System (RSS). Surveyors use this to divide the land into roughly equal rectangular parcels. These parcels, about 1 mile across, are added and measured to create the total property outline.
However, the divisions may not be perfect due to environmental features like lakes, trees, rivers, and roads. The lines are also separated into meridians (north to south) and baselines (east to west).
What Are Boundary Line Agreements?
Boundary line agreements are special contracts between neighbors, resolving disputes over property lines. While specific requirements vary by state, these agreements ensure agreement on property use and division.
They differ from boundary line adjustments, used when exchanging land, potentially involving money. For instance, if a neighbor unintentionally encroaches by planting or building, a boundary line agreement acknowledges the error, allowing the structure builder to keep the building while the landowner retains control of the land.
Why Is Knowing Your Property Lines Important?
Accurately identifying your property lines is crucial for various projects and transactions, from permits to purchases. In many cases, having a new survey is recommended, especially when building or buying a home. Cynthia Durham Blair, a real estate closing attorney, suggests getting a survey to avoid issues like encroachments.
Lenders or title insurance companies often require it, revealing potential problems not covered by standard policies. Knowing these concerns before closing allows informed decisions, potentially renegotiating or walking away from the deal.
Who Dictates Property Lines?
Your property’s separation from surrounding land depends on neighborhood development, whether by a developer, city, county, state, or a neighbor selling a part. A surveyor is crucial for defining and marking formal boundaries.
Legal property splits involve surveys to establish new lines. Property owners can also agree to change lines through a boundary line agreement, requiring the deeding of the land and updating legal descriptions for both properties.
FAQs:
1. Are property lines always visible, or do I need legal documents to determine them?
Property lines may not always be visible, requiring legal documents like plats, deeds, or surveys for accurate identification.
2. Can I find property lines online for free?
Yes, many counties offer digital property records on their websites, and there are also privately owned GIS websites that digitize maps.
3. Do apps like LandGlide and Regrid accurately show property lines?
Yes, apps like LandGlide and Regrid use GPS and are effective tools for viewing and marking property lines.
4. Is it possible to see property lines on Google Maps?
While Google Maps may show property lines in some locations, it’s not universally available. County records or specialized apps may provide more reliable information.
5. What is the importance of knowing property lines when purchasing a home?
Knowing property lines is crucial when buying a home to avoid legal issues, ensure accurate land measurement, and facilitate smoother transactions with lenders and insurance companies.
Conclusion:
Accurately identifying property lines is essential for homeowners to avoid legal disputes and ensure proper land use. Whether utilizing deeds, surveys, apps, or online resources, understanding boundaries contributes to peaceful coexistence with neighbors and facilitates various projects and transactions. Obtaining up-to-date information through surveys is especially recommended during real estate transactions to address potential issues and make informed decisions.
