The boundaries that separate your home from the neighbors may seem obvious. Common features such as driveways, fences or a row of hedges often serve as obvious markers that separate one home from the next.
But there comes a time when knowing your exact property line becomes critical, such as when you’re planning an outdoor renovation, listing your home for sale or when there are some problematic tree limbs in question. Here are a few steps you can take to determine exactly where your property line lies.
Check your deed. If you don’t have your deed, you can get a copy online or from your county recorder or assessor’s office, which may involve a fee. The deed provides a tax description of your property that details the boundaries of your plot of land. It also may include subdivisions and land references that are no longer there, such as a row of trees.
Ask your mortgage company. In order to secure your home financing, your mortgage provider might have required a survey, and your title insurance most likely depended on it as well. Contact either provider for a copy.
Look for the pins. Check around the corners of your property to see if you can spot the pins—steel bars that were placed on the land when a survey was completed and which may be visible with a marked cap on the top end. A metal detector may help you find these pins which could have been buried over time.
Hire a surveyor. The most accurate—and legally binding—way to determine your property lines is to hire a professional surveyor. Keep in mind, most states require that these individuals are licensed, so check to see if this is the case in your area. While this option will likely cost several hundred dollars or more for larger properties, it will save you from any legal disputes with neighbors.
