You make a good point about verifying with county offices, but honestly, I've found GIS maps pretty reliable if you cross-reference them with recent surveys. They're usually updated frequently enough—maybe your experience was an outlier or just bad luck?
"They're usually updated frequently enough—maybe your experience was an outlier or just bad luck?"
Could be, but honestly, I've seen enough GIS hiccups to stay skeptical. They're great for quick checks, sure, but when it comes to easements or setbacks, even a small glitch can turn into a big headache later. Had a client once who trusted the online map completely... ended up building a fence two feet into the neighbor's property. Not fun. So yeah, cross-reference all you want, but nothing beats double-checking with county records directly.
"Had a client once who trusted the online map completely... ended up building a fence two feet into the neighbor's property. Not fun."
Yikes, that's rough. Reminds me of when my brother-in-law was renovating his backyard patio area. He checked the GIS maps online and thought he was good to go, but something felt off to him (thankfully!). He decided to double-check with the county records office, and sure enough, the online map had missed an easement by about three feet. Could've been a real mess if he'd gone ahead without verifying.
Honestly, I think these online tools are fantastic for initial research or getting a general idea of property lines and easements. They're convenient and usually pretty accurate—but they're definitely not foolproof. Especially when you're dealing with luxury properties or custom builds where every inch counts, it's worth taking that extra step to confirm details directly with official records.
I get why people trust them though; they're quick, easy, and usually reliable enough for casual checks. But when you're investing serious money into landscaping or construction projects, it's just smart to be cautious. A little extra legwork upfront can save you from some major headaches down the road.
Glad you brought this up—it's always reassuring to hear others advocating for thoroughness too.
Reminds me of when my brother-in-law was renovating his backyard patio area. He checked the GIS maps online and thought he was good to go, but something felt off to him (thankfully!).
Yeah, those online maps can be sneaky. Had a neighbor who built a gorgeous pergola based on GIS... turns out, half of it crossed into an easement. He joked he built the city's nicest temporary structure. Always pays to double-check official records!
Good instincts on your brother-in-law's part. I've learned the hard way that GIS maps aren't always spot-on. Had a fence project delayed once because the official survey showed property lines differently than online maps... better safe than sorry, right?
