DIGGING INTO PROPERTY EASEMENTS—ANYONE ELSE FIND ONLINE TOOLS CONFUSING?
I get where you’re coming from, but I actually think the digital stuff is underrated for catching issues early. Ever tried overlaying county GIS with old plat maps? Sometimes you spot conflicts before you even call the surveyor. Sure, it’s not gospel, but it’s a solid way to flag red flags before anyone’s boots hit the ground. I wouldn’t build off it, but I wouldn’t ignore it either. Isn’t it better to have more info up front, even if it’s not perfect?
I get the appeal of having more info up front, but I’ve run into issues where the digital maps just didn’t line up with what was actually on the ground. Once, I was planning a remodel and the online easement looked clear—then the surveyor found an old utility line right through the backyard. Super frustrating. I guess I’m just wary of trusting those overlays too much, even if they’re helpful for a first pass. Sometimes it feels like you need a decoder ring just to figure out what’s real.
Yeah, I’ve had digital maps tell me there’s nothing but open space, then the field crew hits a buried cable nobody knew about. Once, we even found an old well that wasn’t on any records. Those overlays are a good starting point, but I never trust them 100%. It’s wild how much can be hiding underground.
I hear you on the digital maps—I've seen those overlays miss things that ended up costing us time and money. Ever notice how some of the online easement tools just layer on so much info, but then you get out there and it's a totally different story? I always wonder how much we can actually rely on those records, especially in older neighborhoods where nobody seems to know what’s under the surface. Do you ever cross-check with city archives or just stick to what’s online? I’m never sure if it’s worth the extra hassle, but sometimes it’s the only way to avoid surprises.
Ever notice how some of the online easement tools just layer on so much info, but then you get out there and it's a totally different story?
Yeah, I’ve run into that more times than I’d like to admit. The layers look great on a screen, but half the time it’s like reading tea leaves once you’re actually standing in the yard. I started making it a habit to swing by the city records office if things look even a little weird online—especially with these older properties where “records” are sometimes just scribbles on yellowed paper. It’s extra work, but honestly, it’s saved me from digging up mystery pipes more than once.
