What is the Importance of Accurate Land Boundaries in Phoenix, Arizona?
Are you purchasing a new property for personal or commercial use? Or perhaps you’re planning to construct a building or add to an existing one? If so, it is important to understand the critical importance of land and property surveys. Not only are these surveys crucial to any real estate transaction, but they are essential for boundary disputes and property ownership rights.
Accurate land boundaries are important for not just property transactions but boundary disputes. An accurate land or property boundary accurately defines the legal limits of that property and establishes the rights and responsibilities of the property owner. When boundaries are deemed to be inaccurate, a dispute may arise, potentially resulting in costly legal battles and even the loss of property rights.
With accurate land boundaries established, you can also prevent encroachments, which may occur when a new structure or building is constructed on an existing property. Additionally, accurate property boundaries can affect property values.
What is a Property Survey?
A property survey is a thorough assessment and documentation of a piece of land in Arizona. The survey will depict boundaries, notable features, and structures of a given property, providing accurate representations of what lies both above and below the ground.
Also known as land title surveys and boundary surveys, your property survey establishes the legal boundaries of a piece of property to determine whether any encroachments or discrepancies may exist. The survey usually involves researching historical documents, such as deeds, to gather accurate information about the property’s boundaries. A licensed surveyor then physically measures the property and land using advanced equipment and techniques to map out the boundaries of a property and discover any potential issues.
There are several reasons someone may wish to order a property survey, including real estate transactions, construction and development, legal compliance with zoning laws and building regulations, and boundary dispute resolutions.
How Much Do Property Surveys Typically Cost in Phoenix, AZ?
The property survey cost in Phoenix, Arizona, will vary based on several factors unique to your real estate case.
The price will frequently depend on the accessibility of the land. Plots of land located in remote or challenging terrains may be more costly.
Larger plots of land with complex features and multiple structures built upon them may also require more time and resources to survey, and as such, these real estate cases may be more costly.
The purpose of the land survey is also to help determine prices. A basic boundary survey typically costs less than a detailed construction survey or topographical survey, which would require more intricate measurements and analysis.
What Makes a Phoenix Land Title Survey Unique?
In many cases, due to Arizona’s diverse terrain, land surveys may involve detailed topographical mapping in order to depict the features of the land accurately.
Phoenix’s growing population is also on the rise. With the increase in population comes a need for well-planned infrastructure. Property surveys are necessary to locate utility lines and other infrastructure on or near surveyed properties.
What Common Issues Do Land Surveys Uncover?
A land survey can uncover several different types of issues that may not be immediately apparent to the naked eye. Though sometimes small, such issues can significantly impact property owners and potential buyers.
Common issues discovered by land title surveys include:
- Boundary discrepancies
- Easements
- Flood zones
- Land zoning restrictions
- Encroachments
By conducting a comprehensive survey, the property owner and potential buyer can take a proactive approach to address any problems and make informed decisions about how to proceed with boundary disputes and other issues.
What is a Boundary Dispute?
Boundary disputes are fairly common in Arizona. They relate to instances where one property owner disagrees with the other over property lines on any given piece of land. A boundary dispute may arise from the construction of a new structure, such as fencing or a shed, and the question of whether the new construction crosses over the line onto the neighboring property.
Boundary disputes are also often triggered by poorly defined property lines, unclear legal descriptions, and physical changes in the landscape.
To resolve a boundary dispute, it is recommended that a licensed surveyor be hired to survey the property. The surveyor assesses the land, reviews legal descriptions of the property, and provides an accurate map of the property boundaries. If the survey and existing property records conflict, the property owners may be required to petition the courts for a formal boundary determination.
How Can a Real Property Survey Report Help Protect Property Owners?
Land title surveys provide protection for property owners by offering an essential understanding of property boundaries and ownership rights.
Ways in which a land title survey can protect your legal rights include the following:
- Clarity of property boundaries
- Identification of encroachment
- Legal compliance with zoning regulations and restrictions
- Impact on property value
- Provide crucial information for construction and development planning
If you are contending with a boundary dispute in Phoenix, you would be well served by working with a law firm experienced in handling such cases. Our boundary dispute law firm has extensive experience representing the interests of clients with complex real estate cases, and we would be proud to represent your interests as well. To learn more, please contact our law office today.
Request a Free Consultation with Our Experienced Legal Team Today
Some property owners are resistant to hiring professional legal representation from boundary dispute lawyers to represent their cases. There can be a tendency to believe that the property owner can represent themselves and their interests without the need for legal counsel. This is ill-advised. We strongly recommend that you retain professional legal advice from experienced attorneys for your boundary dispute case.
When you contact our law firm, you can expect real results for your case. Be sure to request a free consultation with our legal team today.
You can reach us at our Phoenix law firm by calling us at 480-568-1327.