Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Land_Title_Association
Why do you need it?
Real estate transactions generally need a land title survey to document important details influencing the ownership of the land, such as improvements, easements, rights-of-way and other elements. It provides evidence of any matters that may affect the title or value of the property that are included in record documents and that physically exist on the property.
An ALTA land survey is a survey that is generally required on commercial property transactions. Commercial properties include: restaurants, convenience stores, motels, shopping centers, warehouses, manufacturing plants, service stations, hotels, resort properties, individual retail units, automotive dealerships, office buildings and industrial complexes. In a commercial property transaction, a lender, title company or owner may require a land title survey which meets the ALTA/ACSM Minimum Standard Detail Requirements. Additionally, an ALTA survey shows improvements, easements, rights-of-way, and other elements impacting the ownership of land. It provides the title company with the information required to insure the title to the land and improvements to the high degree that a commercial development may require.
An ALTA survey is usually ordered by a lending institution when a piece of commercial property is being mortgaged or upon completion of a construction project in order to release the funds being secured by the project. Sometimes, a lending institution may require an ALTA survey for a residential mortgage too. Most residential parcels are not required to have this type of survey, though there are some cases that a Title Company will require this type of survey to be done.
When do you need ALTA Land Survey?
1. When buying/selling land or commercial real estate and the location is not clearly defined on the ground.
2. Before land is divided.
3. If a lending institution requires a survey.
4. If a line or corner is not defined.
5. Before building close to a line.
6. Before a lot is conveyed from a larger tract.
7. When you believe someone has built on your property.
8. When securing financing for commercial property
9. When you request an extended title insurance policy
10. When developing or improving a property
About the Author: Armando Dupont, a professional land surveyor started his career in surveying in 1977 and has extensive experience in managing personnel and projects. His experience includes: topographic mapping, boundary surveying and analysis, construction and control surveying, preparation of tract and parcel maps, earth work calculation and quantities, targeting and control for photogrammetry, and land title surveys in accordance with the American Land Title Association and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping. Mr. DuPont founded Calvada Surveying in 1989 and is a licensed Professional Land Surveyor in the State of California.
Contact Information
Dahlia Lugo
Executive Assistant
Calvada Surveying, Inc.
411 Jenks Ct
Corona, CA 92880
dlugo@calvada.com
951-280-9960 (ph)
http://www.calvada.com/