Centerville and Washington Township have a lot of established neighborhoods, and in older subdivisions, the fence line or hedge that’s “always been the boundary” doesn’t always match what’s recorded at the county. A current property survey is one of the quieter steps in a home purchase, but it’s worth understanding before you close.
What a Property Survey Shows
A survey is a drawing, prepared by a licensed surveyor, that shows the exact legal boundaries of a parcel along with the location of structures, fences, driveways, and any encroachments onto or from the property. It’s different from the plat map at the county auditor’s office, which gives a general outline but isn’t precise enough to settle a boundary question.
Why Older Neighborhoods Can Have Surprises
In neighborhoods that have changed hands several times over the decades, fences get rebuilt a few feet off from the original line, sheds get added without anyone checking the setback, and driveways sometimes creep onto a neighbor’s lot. None of this is unusual, and most of the time it’s never caused a problem for the people living there. But when a home sells, it’s a natural point to find out whether anything on paper doesn’t match what’s on the ground.
Ordering a New Survey vs. Using an Old One
Sometimes a seller already has a survey from when they purchased the home, and it may still be useful as a reference. But if it’s old, or if anything has been built or changed since — a fence, a patio, an addition — a lender or title company may ask for an updated one. Buyers can also simply request a new survey as part of their due diligence, even if it isn’t required for the loan.
Easements Worth Knowing About
A survey (or a title search) will also turn up any recorded easements — for example, a utility company’s right to access a portion of the yard, or a shared driveway agreement with a neighbor. These don’t necessarily affect whether you should buy a home, but they’re good to know about ahead of time rather than discovering them later when you want to build a fence or add a structure.
What Happens If a Problem Turns Up
If a survey shows an encroachment or a boundary dispute, it doesn’t automatically derail a purchase. Depending on the issue, it might be resolved through a boundary line agreement between neighbors, an adjustment to the purchase, or in rarer cases, further negotiation before closing. Your agent and the title company can help sort out next steps if something unexpected comes up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a survey required to buy a home in Ohio?
Not always. Whether one is required often depends on the lender, the title company, and whether an existing survey is available and still accurate. It’s worth asking early in the process whether your particular purchase will need one.
Who pays for a new survey?
This is negotiable and can vary by transaction. In some cases the seller provides an existing survey, and in others the buyer orders and pays for a new one. Your purchase agreement can spell out who’s responsible.
What’s the difference between a survey and title insurance?
A survey shows the physical boundaries and features of the property. Title insurance protects against problems with legal ownership, such as liens or claims against the title. They address different kinds of risk, and many buyers end up with both.
Kelly Nation is a real estate agent with RE/MAX Alliance serving Centerville, Ohio, Washington Township, and the greater Dayton area. Thinking about buying or selling in the area? Reach out to Kelly Nation with RE/MAX Alliance at 937-609-5852 to get started.
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Kelly Nation | RE/MAX Alliance
Local real estate guidance in Centerville, Washington Township, Kettering and nearby communities.