ALTA Land Survey: A Basic Guideline about the Procedure

A land survey is one of the most critical procedures of real estate transactions. This survey ensures the size of the land, building, and improvement footprints, property boundaries, and physical encroachments.

ALTA surveys inspect whether the description of the site matches the real property. But when should you opt for them and how? We have answered all your questions so that our readers can have a clear understanding of this survey.

The land surveyors perform ALTA surveys according to the rules and regulations of the American Land Title Association and the American Congress of Surveying and Mapping. The ALTA survey is more expensive than other surveys because this procedure includes all the information in detail.

What Things Does ALTA Survey Identify?

  • Buildings, fences, and other things that remain inside the property.

  • If buildings, fences, or human-made features cross the boundaries of a particular property.

  • It also identifies if there is any existing record easement that may pose a threat to the potential development of the property.

Is There Any Specialty about ALTA Land Survey?

Many people wonder: “Is an ALTA survey necessary?” Yes, ALTA surveys provide information you may not find in public records. Other surveys determine the property line and verify additional general information. But when it comes to ALTA land survey, it gets the consideration of the gold standard of surveying procedure.

After doing the survey, the surveyors provide information about neighboring property owners, property boundaries, encroachments, property features, easement and encumbrances. They also inform about the existence of cemeteries, water boundaries, legal property description and zoning classification.

What is the Process of the ALTA Land Survey?

As mentioned, the ALTA survey includes information unavailable to the public record. They also perform physical surveying to meet the needs of title companies. As a customer, you should know what to expect from this procedure.

Firstly, the ALTA survey experts must conduct in-depth research about a particular property’s private and public land records. After that, they must investigate the land and find the original boundary lines. Keep in mind that the time the procedure takes depends upon the features of the land.

After they find the evidence, they start analyzing the information. These surveying professionals use various tools based on advanced technology to collect information. Following this, they use all the available data to create a map. After completing all the survey procedures, the lender, title company and buyer review the final documents and send them to the surveyor for final signature and seal.

When Should You Use an ALTA Land Survey?

Surveys become essential when you want to purchase or sell real estate property. ALTA survey identifies where you need to check the property's boundary lines. Boundary surveys primarily identify the boundary lines of the property.

It generally costs a few hundred dollars. But verifying the information about a particular land isn’t the only requirement. The surveyors must also measure the ground and create a land plat. Mainly before constructing anything on the land, these surveys become necessary.

People opt for this survey to protect their properties from claims. A title search does not disclose these claims. This information helps the parties to explore additional advantages and downfalls of ownership.

Contact Us

Do you want to pursue an ALTA survey of any land for specific needs? Contact us at Carroll Surveying and Mapping in Colorado to know the procedure.