Totally agree—trusting just one source is asking for trouble. I’ve run into the same thing with old survey docs that look like they were drawn during a lunch break, and then the county’s online map has my fence line in a different spot. Neither one lines up exactly with what’s actually on the ground.
One thing I’ve noticed: sometimes the digital maps are off by a few feet, especially in rural areas. I had to measure out my own setback for a shed because the GIS map put my property corner in the middle of my neighbor’s driveway... not ideal. But at least it gave me a starting point.
Honestly, walking the lot with a tape measure and comparing it to both the paper plat and the online map is the only way I feel halfway confident. It’s a pain, but better than getting a nasty surprise later. The tech is helpful, but it’s not magic—still gotta double-check everything if you want to sleep at night.
Title: Digging into property easements—anyone else find online tools confusing?
- Right there with you on the digital maps being off, especially in the sticks. I’ve seen GIS data shift by 10 feet or more—enough to cause real headaches if you’re planning a build.
- Old plats are hit or miss. Sometimes they’re gold, sometimes it’s like deciphering a treasure map drawn by someone who’d never seen the property.
- I always tell folks: if it matters (like a new structure or sale), get a licensed surveyor out there. The cost stings, but it’s nothing compared to moving a fence or tearing down a shed later.
- Tech’s great for a ballpark, but boots on the ground still matter. I’ve had to explain that to more than one client who thought Google Earth was gospel...
“Tech’s great for a ballpark, but boots on the ground still matter. I’ve had to explain that to more than one client who thought Google Earth was gospel...”
That part made me laugh—had a client last year who swore up and down that the Google satellite overlay showed his property line “perfectly.” He was convinced we could just drop a shed where the map said. Fast forward to survey day: turns out, the so-called “line” cut right through his neighbor’s garden. That was an awkward one.
Here’s how I approach it now, especially when easements or setbacks are involved:
Step 1: Pull every digital map you can get your hands on—county GIS, state resources, whatever’s available. They’re usually good for getting a rough idea of boundaries and features (streams, roads, etc.), but not much more.
Step 2: Dig up any old plats or surveys tied to your deed. Sometimes they’re crystal clear, sometimes it’s like reading hieroglyphics in the rain. If you’re lucky enough to get a legible one with bearings and distances, great... but don’t bet your build on it.
Step 3: Walk the site yourself. Look for old fence lines, iron pins, rock piles—anything that might be a marker. Nine times out of ten there’s at least some evidence in the ground if you know what to look for.
Step 4: If you’re doing anything permanent (building, fencing, installing solar), hire a pro surveyor. The price stings in the moment but trust me—nothing compares to the pain of tearing out concrete because your neighbor’s got receipts.
One thing I will say: digital tools have gotten better about showing things like utility easements and flood zones. But if you’re in rural areas or older neighborhoods? All bets are off. I’d never rely on them for final decisions.
Seen too many folks get burned thinking tech is foolproof... It isn’t. Maybe someday we’ll have real-time drone mapping or something that gets it all right down to the inch, but we aren’t there yet.
It’s wild how much faith people put in those online maps. I’ve had buyers fall in love with a “private” backyard, only to find out later half of it’s an easement for the city. Ever tried explaining that after they’ve started planning a pool? Digital tools are great for dreaming, but reality checks are a must.
Title: Digging into property easements—anyone else find online tools confusing?
Digital tools are great for dreaming, but reality checks are a must.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen folks get tripped up by those “property lines” on the big real estate sites. Here’s what I’ve run into:
- Online maps are basically a rough sketch. They’re good for getting a general sense, but they don’t show the nitty-gritty—like utility easements, drainage swales, or those weird little strips the city keeps for who-knows-what.
- The “satellite view” makes everything look bigger and more private than it is. I once measured out a spot for a shed based on Google Maps, only to find out later that half of it was technically in the neighbor’s yard. Oops.
- Easement info is buried in plat maps or title docs, not on Zillow or Redfin. If you’re planning anything permanent (pool, fence, even a big garden), you gotta dig up the actual survey. Otherwise, you might be planting tomatoes on top of a sewer line.
Funny thing—my cousin spent weeks designing his dream fire pit area, only to have the city come through and dig up the whole thing for water main repairs. He was not amused.
I get why people trust the digital stuff—it’s easy and looks official. But if you’re serious about building or landscaping, nothing beats walking the lot with a tape measure and a copy of the survey in hand. And maybe a strong coffee... because those legal descriptions can get wild.
Bottom line: online tools are great for ideas, but when it comes to shovels in dirt, double-check everything. Learned that one the hard way.
