Learn About the Importance of Land Surveying Before Purchasing a Land in Arizona

Posted by Calvada on July 4th, 2016

Land surveying is an important step before purchasing any land. In fact, it is one of the first things you must do before finalizing the transaction. When choosing and buying land in Arizona, you need to find out its history. Doing so will help you decide whether it is the right place to build your property or look for another parcel of land in Arizona.

Land surveying may reveal hidden secrets and certain surprises about the land than what you can merely see with your naked eye, such as the land was previously used as a burial ground, or there is an easement running through it.  The survey makes you an informed and responsible buyer. It will reveal exactly where property lines are, and it may reveal some unknown boundary issues, which could cause some problems later.

Professional land surveyors can help you determine exactly what type of property you will own. Part of their job is to examine the legal description of the property from existing records for accuracy, then compare those with the upcoming land survey that they will conduct. This way, you know that you are getting all parts of the property in the number of acres that is written on the title. Likewise, you will know exactly where property lines are located.

The information can be crucial when you want to use the land for certain purposes, such as farmland, or if you want to install additional structures like a well or a septic tank. A survey will show exactly where your neighbors or others can pass through or use your property. An ALTA survey, for instance, will determine the exact location of encroachments or easements on commercial property. Easements exist when landowners grant another party the permission to use a particular part of the land for a certain purpose, and an encroachment occurs when another party used your land without your permission.

There have been reports in Arizona about collapsing and expansive soils, which are geologic hazards. The American Society of Civil Engineers found that half of the homes built in the US are on expansive soils, and nearly half of these homes experience some damage because of the quality of the soil. Reputable land surveying companies can survey the land to make sure that you will not build a commercial or residential structure on a surface that can potentially destroy it.

Source:

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/before-buying-vacant-land-yes-you-need-survey.html

http://www.azgs.az.gov/hazards_problemsoils.shtml 

About the Author:

Armando Dupont, a professional land surveyor started his career in surveying in 1977 and has extensive experience in managing personnel and projects. His experience includes: topographic mapping, boundary surveys and analysis, construction and control surveying, preparation of tract and parcel maps, earth work calculation and quantities, targeting and control for photogrammetric, and land title surveys in accordance with the American Land Title Association and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping. Mr. DuPont founded Calvada Surveying, Inc. in 1989 and is a licensed Professional Land Surveyor in the State of California.