I’ve always been an advocate for getting a survey whenever you buy a home. I always do whenever I buy a home. I’ve written about getting a survey before on this blog. Doesn’t matter if it’s a new home or a home that’s 50 years old, you still need a survey. Here’s a quote from an addendum to the NC Standard Offer to Purchase And Contract that states it well:
*NOTE REGARDING SURVEYS: Situations arise all too often that could have been avoided if the buyer had obtained a new survey from a NC registered surveyor. A survey will normally reveal such things as encroachments on the Property from adjacent properties (fences, driveways, etc.); encroachments from the Property onto adjacent properties; road or utility easements crossing the Property;violations of set-back lines; lack of legal access to a public right-of-way; and indefinite or erroneous legal descriptions in previous deeds to the Property. Although title insurance companies may provide lender coverage without a new survey, the owner’s policy contains an exception for easements, set-backs and other matters which would have been shown on a survey. Many such matters are not public record and would not be included in an attorney’s title examination. In addition, if the buyer does not obtain their own survey, they would have no claim against a surveyor for inaccuracies in a prior survey.
It’s kind of like insurance. If you never need it, its easy to question the value. If you ever do need it, and don’t have it, your life could end up a real mess.
