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Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

The area itself doesn't require surveys. Principals do. Builders do. Development permitting bureaus do. It depends on what they're going to do with the property, and when.

If it's in a platted subdivision, and there are no known encroachments, it might be fine not to.

However. Things change over time. Waterfront property is subject to accretion and erosion. And at several thousand dollars per linear foot, every inch counts.

Also, if a survey hasn't been done for a long time, we are much more technologically able to be accurate now. A 110 acre parcel hadn't been surveyed in over 100 years was recently found to be only 91 acres.

Still. Having an expensive survey now when you're not going to develop for a while, you'll have to resurvey it then anyway.

So there are times when it is prudent to wait, and times when it is not.

Jan 20, 2019 05:04 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Not a requirement.

Jan 20, 2019 03:36 AM
Ambassador
5,230,079
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Not 'required' in my area but, highly recommended.

Jan 19, 2019 09:41 PM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Every county is different, generally if we split the property smaller than a 40 we need a survey.

Jan 19, 2019 08:11 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

As far as I know, there is no legal requirement anytwhere to have a survey done for a residential sale... but as title insurance companies limit coverage without an update survey, it's highly recommended to do one. Banks stopped requiring them years and years ago.

Jan 20, 2019 06:19 AM
Rainmaker
1,197,152
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

A survey is not always required but good to have.

Jan 20, 2019 05:44 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Not always required here, but most buyers prefer to have one done. If there is no lender involved, and lots are long established, some buyers won't get a survey done.

Jan 20, 2019 03:40 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

All of my experience has been with properties that do not need to be surveyed.

Jan 19, 2019 08:20 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It is not required in NH. I tend to see buyers doing it more in the rural areas with bigger lots.

Jan 20, 2019 05:11 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

My experience in Illinois and Florida for residential always required an updated survey!

Jan 20, 2019 04:08 AM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Sometimes mortgage companies require that the buyer get one. But otherwise, it's not a requirement. 

Jan 20, 2019 03:38 AM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

About 70% of the time clients do not ask for one.

Jan 20, 2019 03:22 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

Lenders always require it along with the others that Candice A. Donofrio mentioned.

I don't care when or what land you are buying...it is ALWAYS prudent to get an UNDATED survery.   There are lots of horrow stories from naive buyers and agents. It is amazing how many things can be wrong.

I have a close friend who owned a survey company...she even told me about a new construction townhomes that the buyers attorney told them they did not need a survey for so in error they closed on a unit one block away.

Recently on vacant land after doing a survey and wetlands study,  we were able to amend the contract to a price $10K lower.  The sellers survey was incorrect.

Eve

Jan 20, 2019 03:43 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,648
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Not required, but I highly encourage buyers to perform a survey. 

Jan 20, 2019 11:37 AM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

not required here either, but I would NOT buy without a survey.  My daughter just purchased and I made her get a survey... well you know strongly encouraged (read that as I ordered the survey).  It's essential and I encourage all buyers, but not all listen.

Jan 20, 2019 11:08 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Surveys may be needed when financing is involved or there are development plans.

Jan 20, 2019 09:03 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

William,

The buyers we worked with always had a full out survey...A

Jan 20, 2019 08:39 AM
Rainmaker
851,242
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

Not a requirement here; buyer preference and certainly a good idea in many instances. 

Jan 20, 2019 07:56 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

If there is a mortgage a survey will be required.

Jan 20, 2019 07:14 AM
Rainmaker
564,494
Maria Sapio
Keller Williams of Central PA - Carlisle, PA
Real Estate Agent- Carlisle, PA. Mariasapio.com

Not required, but it's definitely a bonus to have.

Jan 20, 2019 07:09 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

It will be required by the title company.

Jan 20, 2019 06:46 AM
Rainmaker
631,962
Vern Eaton
Askov, MN
Realtor 651-674-7449

Same as yours Bill

Jan 20, 2019 06:28 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

A loan survey accompanies all of my sales but not a pin one.

Jan 20, 2019 06:12 AM
Rainmaker
628,814
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

Buyers choice most of the time,  Title insurance & mortgage companies sometimes require a location survey

Jan 20, 2019 05:10 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Lenders tend to be the driving force behind surveys. They want to know what THEY actaully own.

Jan 20, 2019 05:08 AM
Rainmaker
2,241,053
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Ditto.... not in a town of under 100 people that is 6 x  6 miles square which is the norm, no. No close neighbors, 40 or 100 acre tracts where the boundary line rock walls, the tree lines separating fields, the waterways dividing properties are blind fold obvious. 

Jan 20, 2019 02:55 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

If there is land involved, I always recommend a new survey or ILC.

Jan 24, 2019 05:54 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,683
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Not is there is a lot and block.

 

Jan 22, 2019 09:24 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

It would be foolhardy for a buyer not to oder a survey. We would insist on them signing a Hold Harmless if they didn't

Jan 22, 2019 08:20 AM
Rainmaker
280,599
Jeanne Gregory
RE/MAX Southwest - Sugar Land, TX
The most important home I sell is YOURS!

I started in this business working in surveying.  I wouldn't buy anything without a current survey. 

Jan 21, 2019 05:33 AM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

I always encourage my buyers to get a survey.  You'll never know what it will reveal.

Jan 20, 2019 01:00 PM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Surveys are not required on bare land, but advised especially on rural property where the fence location may not actually be on the property line.

Jan 20, 2019 12:48 PM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

It is very rare that a BUYER requires a survey. I do not believe a lender or anyone else involved in a RE transaction has ever required it on a sale I've worked with.

Jan 20, 2019 12:38 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

mortgage plot plans are required by all lending institutions for a MA closing... and before you install a fence, you'd be wise to have an instrument survey.... the mortgage plot plan is usually a couple of inches off .... it's not a full instrument survey....

Jan 20, 2019 10:59 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

PA is not a survey State either

Jan 20, 2019 10:12 AM
Rainmaker
554,600
Francine Viola
Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty, Olympia WA - Olympia, WA
REALTOR®, In Tune with your Real Estate Needs

Surveys are optional in our contracts and are at buyer’s cost (unless negotiated otherwise).

Jan 20, 2019 09:55 AM
Rainmaker
469,510
Dan & Laurie Pittsenbarger Team
Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA
Lakeside & Coastal Single Family Homes

No survey required for land or any other kind of real estate sale in our area. However, it is a huge plus point for vacant land to be surveyed and have the corners marked physically so prospective buyers can "walk" the property. Here in western WA - the brush and blackberries grow quickly so the nicely presented vacant land listings are surveyed with the corners marked and a path to the corners. It definitely helps get the lots sold faster and avoids being asked to go out to the property to try and show about where porperty lines are which is not an advisable activity.

Jan 20, 2019 09:54 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Same as your area.

Jan 20, 2019 09:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Not one out here.  I know in parts of England (New Quay) it is though.  Have a friend that bought out there a year or two ago.

Jan 20, 2019 09:18 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Not required. 

Jan 20, 2019 09:07 AM