25% of homeowners in America have experienced a property line dispute within the last five years. Unclear boundary descriptions are one of the main reasons for disputes. Due to this, it is important to know and find accurate property lines.
🔍 PROPERTY LINE Overview
- Apart from disputes, property lines solve complex issues like encroachments and easements.
- It helps to legally subdivide the property and establish a new boundary to avoid unwanted land issues.
- In construction, property lines can help you build fences, driveways, or more within legal limits.
What Is Property Line?
A property line is a legal boundary line around a property. It shows where the ownership of the land starts and ends. The property lines at the front and side are known as frontage and sidelines, respectively. Local zoning laws set these distances, and you must pay taxes accordingly.
You are responsible for paying taxes according to these lines if they change upon survey. In addition, you have the right to develop or make changes to your property under zoning laws and HOA rules.
Why Should You Know Your Property Line?
Here are the reasons why you should be aware of your property lines:
- Property Disputes: A neighbor’s disagreement over their property’s legal boundary causes disputes. This can be a misunderstanding or misuse of another’s property. However, you can avoid this if you have documented property lines for your house.
- Encroachment: If your neighbor violates your property rights, like building a fence or structure that extends to your land, it comes under encroachment. Litigation or mediation can solve encroachment issues.
- Subdivisions: When you divide your property and gift one part to someone, you must survey it. You will need to complete the survey to make the gifted part eligible for title insurance.
- Easement: If your neighbor’s property is landlocked, they can use an edge or part of the property with the help of an easement to get access. They can only get it when they are eligible for it.
6 Ways to Find Your Property Lines
Here are some ways to find your property lines:
1. Draw Physical Boundaries
After you survey your property, physical boundaries like wooden stakes are installed at the edges of your property. They act as clues or boundary markers.
You can also include fences, stone walls, ditches, bodies of water, bushes, and more as boundary markers.
2. Hire a Licensed Land Surveyor
You can opt for a licensed land surveyor to determine the accurate property lines. The surveyor goes through all the records and considers all the factors affecting your property. After that, they prepare a final report for the property line.
3. Review Your Plat and Deed
The reason behind reviewing the property deed is the tax description. It includes detailed information on your property’s boundaries. While plat helps to map land division.
With the help of both, you can measure the property edge from the reference point or mark the boundaries with chalk stakes according to the property size.
4. Find Survey Pins
To plot the property lines, a metal detector can help you with it. Many metal rods or survey pins are staked during the construction to mark the property.
However, you have to be careful while searching for survey pins, as metal detectors can detect utility lines. You can call the local authority or contact 811 before digging to avoid them.
5. Use Online Resource
The first step you can take to start the hunt is to use online resources like property line maps. Through these online maps, you can plot your land or use a mobile app that shows property lines in different areas of the country.
You can even check the country’s official website to get accurate property lines and records. You can find various property deed copies and reports.
6. Make Lot Line Agreement
You can make a lot line agreement, but you will need your neighbor’s help. If they agree on where the property boundaries reside, you can place the boundary markers easily.
Bottom Line
Property lines are quite important when plotting your land, as they can greatly impact the fair market value of your house. Also, there are various methods that can help you find an accurate property line. However, you have to involve official authorities to complete the process.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How to find out property lines for free?
One way to find property lines for free is to search for your property's plat map or survey on your county assessor's website. You can also physically locate property corners and markers on the land.
Does a deed show property lines?
Yes, a property deed typically includes a legal description of the property that shows the location and boundaries of the property.
Who determines property lines?
Property lines are usually determined by licensed land surveyors, who are trained to measure and map the boundaries of a property.
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