It is often said that land is the best thing a person can invest in. Stock markets can rise and fall, and gold and silver values can fluctuate, but land, despite its own shifts in value, is tangible and can also be altered to be even more valuable. When it comes to buying property, your lender or agent may suggest having a land survey performed to formally establish your boundary lines. They may require an ALTA survey, which is a survey conducted by an accredited American Land Title Association surveyor. This can be costly, but don’t panic—it’s going to be worth it!
So, what exactly are ALTA surveys in Muscogee County, GA, and why are they so important? Let’s find out.
Accuracy is everything
Yes, accredited surveyors are more costly, but you get what you pay for. An ALTA survey means your surveyor is an established professional, not some fly-by-night amateur. This means the survey results you get are going to be accurate, timely and able to hold water should you need them for a land dispute or court case, or when it is time to sell your property. In some cases, a bank or lender will not sign off on a loan until they are sure of exactly what they are loaning the money for. In these cases, you should do it right or not at all.
Expensive, but worth it
It takes a certain type of person to be a good surveyor—they need to be observant, detail-oriented, trustworthy and, most importantly, accurate. A surveyor without these traits is not one you should bet your investments on. From property line disputes to engineering plans, a good survey is the basis for any real estate project. Trusting that kind of work to an unaccredited surveyor is a bad idea. You need to be sure that, if there is any question about where your property lines fall, you can refer back to your survey as definitive proof of ownership.
Having your ducks in a row
Not every situation calls for the big guns. As we mentioned earlier, ALTA accredited surveyors are more costly. So, how do you know when you need one? Well, the answer is simple. Is your bank or lender requiring a survey before they will release funds? If so, then yes, you need an ALTA surveyor. Are you unsure of the property lines, and could the situation boil up into a legal dispute with your neighbors? If so, then yes, hire an ALTA surveyor and get the situation sorted out once and for all. An honest surveyor will tell you if you are spending money for no reason, so be sure to contact a company you can trust.
The key to receiving an accurate land survey is hiring a reputable, professional surveyor. When it comes to required ALTA surveys in Muscogee County, GA, make sure you’re working with an accredited American Land Title Association surveyor, like the experts at Moon, Meeks, Mason & Vinson, Inc. We are knowledgeable in all types of land assessments, so let us know how we can help you!