A surprise celebration on your birthday is fun. A surprise regarding your commercial real estate purchase after you’ve completed the transaction…not so much. Discovering a boundary line conflict after the real estate transaction is completed can be very expensive.

The time to protect your commercial real estate investment is before planning, development and investing your money. That’s when you need an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey (American Land Title Association / National Society of Professional Surveyors). An ALTA survey is an in-depth, comprehensive boundary survey that addressed a variety of issues that are of concern to lenders and title companies. It helps both buyers and lenders of commercial real estate transactions to know the existing conditions and future use of the property or land involved in the transaction.

An ALTA survey from Preston Trail Land Surveying is much more comprehensive than a typical boundary survey and will typically include: 

• Easements that may encumber or benefit the property
• Possible encroachments across boundary lines or easements
• Apparent access to a public street or lack thereof
• Zoning of the property along with setback requirements
• Flood Zones that may affects the subject property
• Visible evidence of any use by other parties
• Location of any water boundaries on the subject property
• Visible evidence of cemeteries
• Names of adjoining property owners
• Other topography and features which may significantly impact pricing

Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey (effective February 23, 2016) Including Table A (Optional Survey Responsibilities and Specifications) required for a quote.