I ended up pacing it out with a tape measure and some old survey stakes I found buried in the weeds. Not scientific, but at least it matched the fence lines everyone’s been using for decades.
That’s usually more reliable than trusting those online maps, honestly. I’ve seen GIS data off by several feet, especially in older neighborhoods. Overlaying your own measurements on a printout can help spot big discrepancies, but it won’t always solve the problem—sometimes it just makes you realize how many things don’t line up. I’d still trust physical markers and old fences over a digital map any day.
About utility easements, they’re not always shown online. Some counties include them, others don’t bother or only show partial info. I’ve had to call the utility companies directly more than once just to be sure before digging. Have you ever run into issues where what’s marked on the map didn’t match what was actually buried underground? That’s happened to me more times than I care to admit...
Yeah, I’ve had that happen—map says one thing, but when you start digging, you hit something unexpected. Once found an old water line that wasn’t on any record, just a rusted pipe running right through the yard. I trust the old stakes and fences more than any online map, honestly. Those digital tools are handy for a rough idea, but I wouldn’t bet my fence posts on them.
DIGGING INTO PROPERTY EASEMENTS—ANYONE ELSE FIND ONLINE TOOLS CONFUSING?
That’s definitely been my experience too. The digital maps are helpful for planning, but I’ve learned not to trust them blindly, especially when it comes to older properties. I once worked on a remodel where the “official” boundary was off by several feet compared to the original fence line—turned out the neighbor’s shed was actually straddling both lots. It’s wild how much history can hide under a few layers of grass or concrete. I always recommend double-checking with a surveyor if anything seems off... those surprises can really throw a wrench in your plans.
