The idea of land survey is as old as land ownership in any country. In ancient times community leaders used to be determinants of land boundaries based on history and clans. Understanding these different types of land surveys as a real estate investor is important as it will guide you on your next land survey.
Below we explore all types of land surveys that are available for landowners.
From here you will be in a position to choose the most appropriate for your land.
It is important to note that your choice will depend on your personal need and what you need to achieve at the end of the day. This, therefore, is not a one-size-fits-all.
- Mortgage Survey
This type of survey is also known as a title survey. Let us explore what a mortgage is for a start. A mortgage is a binding agreement where a financial institution provides finances for a home construction project.
They do this in exchange for the property title deed. Once the full amount of money is repaid the title deed is given back.
When it comes to mortgage surveys it helps the lending institution with information on the property itself in terms of size and value which should be equivalent to the amount given to you as a loan.
The mortgage survey report is also given to the lending institution for their records. It is important to note that a good mortgage survey can help you secure finances equivalent to the value of the land.
Whereas a wrong assessment can jeopardize your expectations of a loan as a landowner.
Benefits of mortgage survey
- This survey provides comprehensive and accurate information about the property to lending institution.
- Acts as a future reference of the property’s value in case need arises.
- ALTA survey
ALTA stands for American Land Title Association. This is a set of standards that governs land surveys and is mostly as a reference by land surveyors globally. In addition, financial institutions and real estate professionals also use the same.
The survey is exhaustive in nature and shows all details on the land. They include any developments on the land, utilities, easements, flood zones, zoning restrictions, etc.
It is resourceful to the landowner due to the many details. Below are some of the key advantages of this particular survey.
- Vacant land purchase -this is ideal survey to unravel all details about the land under purchase and avoids frustrations in land ownership.
- Financing – in some financing cases an ALTA survey is part of due diligence to ensure the value of the property is put into consideration.
- Land boundary survey
A land boundary is an extent to which you legally own a piece of land. Land boundary survey seeks to establish and accurately define the corners of land before or after subdividing the land.
He or She also establishes the exact measures of the size of the land. This is useful before someone buys or sells a plot.
Further, it is common before building a house, fence, or any structure on the land.
The land surveyor comes in person on the land, takes measurements, and compares the same with what is in the maps to determine the exact boundaries. Later he/she produces a final report on the land.
Later, prepares the site plan which has details of all the information he has.
There are three main types of land boundaries;
- Divergent land boundaries – this are boundaries that occur when two tectonic plates move away from each other.
- Convergent land boundaries – these boundaries occur when two tectonic plates move together.
- Transform plate boundaries – where two tectonic plates pass each other.
Benefits of land boundary survey
- Boundary survey helps to resolve disputes between neighbours. This is especially when there are allegations of encroaching each other’s land.
- Helps when planning to develop the land.
- The land owner is able to understand the details of the land such as the shape and size for personal records.
4. Location survey
This survey is more of the same as a boundary survey, however, this particular one incorporates improvements on the land and their size.
A location survey helps the property owner settle any errors that exist between what has described the land and what he/she has been using the land for. This helps put property into proper use depending on the location.
Importance of location survey
• Land owners use this report when seeking permits related to zoning of the land.
5. Subdivision Survey
This is a common type of survey, especially in real estate transactions. It is also known as partition or platting survey. It is useful when subdividing large tracts of land into smaller plots as per the approved submission plan in an area.
It is useful to the local governments for planning purposes of an area in terms of road access, water, electricity supply, internet connectivity, etc. of those areas.
The rise in gated communities in Kenya has led to an increase in subdivision surveys in most areas. However, before land subdivision, a local government board in an area meets and approves the proposed plan.
Advantages of subdivision survey
- Maximises the use the land in an area by making it accessible to more people.
- Lead to an increase in the value of the land in area because the subdivided pieces are worth more than a huge tract of land.
- Makes it very easy to dispose the property in smaller portions as opposed to a huge tract of land.
What you need to observe when subdividing your land
- Subdivide within the given local laws to ensure it meets approved sizes.
- Keep the market in mind so that you cater for their needs when they come to purchase.
- Consider the cost of subdividing where sometime you may need to cater for the cost of creating extra roads and connecting amenities such as water and electricity.
6. Site-planning survey
This particular survey is useful when a property owner intends to apply for building permits from the local government. It conceptualizes all the proposed structures and improvements on the vacant land.
One main advantage of this survey is that it helps keep the proposed developments within the boundaries of the land.
7. Construction survey
A construction survey establishes the exact location and positioning of structures within the land being surveyed. It provides direction on the distances and measurements to be considered when undertaking construction activities within the property.
Advantages of construction survey;
- Ensures that the structures are within the land boundaries.
- Used to verify the progress of the building to ensure it is within the desired limits.
8. Topographic survey
Land properties have both natural and artificial features such as trees, buildings, ditches, river sources, fences, etc. This survey helps to locate such features which are necessary when planning to develop the vacant land.
These help in visualizing and planning any structure on the land to ensure its stability. It is usually a requirement from local government authorities to property developers.
The final report is known as a topographic map and is used by architects, engineers, and contractors in the process of their work.
9. Engineering surveys
This survey is useful in the project planning and designing stage for any construction works. It is particularly useful to ensure work is as per the initial plans.
In most cases, the construction companies undertake this exercise with the assistance of their engineers and supervisors on site.
10. Mining Surveys
Extracting underground minerals begins with the identifying exact location by special surveyors. A mining survey establishes the exact location of the minerals, exact measurements, plan on extraction and closely monitor how the ground will move when such activities are ongoing.
Later a report is prepared and submitted to authorities for scrutiny and approvals so that mining begins.