DIGGING INTO PROPERTY EASEMENTS—ANYONE ELSE FIND ONLINE TOOLS CONFUSING?
That’s honestly reassuring to hear. I’ve been staring at these online maps for weeks, trying to figure out if the weird lines on my lot are real or just outdated info. It’s wild how much guesswork is involved. I keep thinking, do I really need to pay for a surveyor, or am I just being paranoid? But your story makes me think it’s probably better to be safe than sorry... even if it means more paperwork and headaches upfront.
I keep thinking, do I really need to pay for a surveyor, or am I just being paranoid?
I get where you’re coming from. I used to think the same until I bought a place with what looked like a "shared driveway" on the online map. Turned out, after shelling out for a proper survey, that it was actually my neighbor’s land—awkward conversations followed. The online tools just aren’t detailed enough, especially for high-end properties where every inch matters. It’s a pain, but that peace of mind is worth it in the long run.
Title: Digging Into Property Easements—Anyone Else Find Online Tools Confusing?
Honestly, I’ve seen folks get by just fine with county GIS maps and a little legwork, especially if you’re not dealing with a super tight lot or weird boundaries. Not saying skip the surveyor if you’re nervous, but sometimes those online tools plus a trip to the records office can clear up a lot. Just depends how much risk you’re willing to take on, I guess.
I’ve definitely wrestled with GIS maps before—sometimes the layers don’t line up or the easements aren’t even marked. Has anyone actually had luck finding utility easements listed online, or is it mostly just property lines? I always end up cross-referencing with the paper plats anyway...
DIGGING INTO PROPERTY EASEMENTS—ANYONE ELSE FIND ONLINE TOOLS CONFUSING?
That’s been my experience too—those GIS maps are super handy, but I’ve never found them to be 100% reliable for easements. Sometimes I’ll see the property lines clear as day, but no sign of where a utility easement actually runs. I’ve even had a county map show a “possible” easement, but it didn’t match what was on the paper plat or what the surveyor marked onsite.
Have you ever tried calling the county office or utility company? I know, not everyone’s favorite thing, but a couple times I got lucky and someone emailed me scanned copies of the original easement docs. Still, it feels like there should be a better system by now. Makes me wonder if it’s just a patchwork of old records that never got digitized...
Anyway, I always end up double-checking everything with whatever paper records I can find. It’s a pain, but I’d rather go through the hassle than dig into something I shouldn’t.
