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Surveys rely on benchmarks as a starting point and for measuring elevations. A survey typically shows the measurements, boundaries, and contours of the land. They are used to establish and verify borders or to reveal encroachment or possible title defects, such as easements. Surveys are uncommon in the residential real estate business, but they are extremely useful when dealing with land transactions. N 98° W (angles under 90° degrees must be used) N 45° 25' 20" E (North 45 degrees, 25 minutes, 20 seconds East)Į 34° S (the first reference must always be either N or S) Each degree can be subdivided into 60 minutes and each minute can be subdivided in 60 seconds.Ī direction using these subdivisions is presented as follows: North 60° 15' 20" West. Directions are given with the use of the following symbols:Ī 90° angle means that the axes are perpendicular to each other. It would be presented as "North 60° West."ĭirections are given in degrees. For example, a direction might specify north as the primary direction, an angle of 60° (degrees), and secondary direction of west. Land descriptions begin by stating the primary reference direction (either north or south) then moving either east or west around the compass a specified number of degrees, up to a maximum of 90° (degrees). If a straight line is drawn connecting north and south on a circle and another straight line is drawn perpendicular to it connecting east and west the result is a circle divided into four quadrants.The line connecting north and south is referred to as the PRIMARY REFERENCE LINE. Yes, although the metes-and-bounds legal land description is the oldest one used, there are alternatives, such as the rectangular survey system (government survey system) and lot-and-block method.Compass bearings are used to describe the direction of the boundary lines. Are there other legal land descriptions available to use? Additionally, metes-and-bounds descriptions are usually very long and complicated. That tree that was previously mentioned as a point of beginning may not be around in 100 years. What are the potential problems with the metes-and-bounds legal land description method?
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The description then proceeds in that manner until completed at the point of beginning. The metes-and-bounds description will continue from the large tree, usually in feet and inches by direction to the next monument. So, say the point of beginning is a large tree. Monuments are fixed objects and can be either natural or man-made. Where is the point of beginning located? Well, that’s where monuments come in. How are Monuments used in a metes-and-bounds land description? This land description always begins and ends at the point of beginning.
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From the point of beginning, the border of the property is described until the point of beginning is reached again. The point of beginning is also referred to as the point of commencement (POC). How does the metes-and-bounds land description work?Ī metes-and-bounds land description always begins and ends at a point of beginning (POB). This legal land description is primarily used to describe the location of land in states on the east coast of the US. Metes (distance) and bounds (direction) is the oldest method for creating land descriptions. What is the metes-and-bounds legal land description? The metes-and-bounds legal land description method is the subject of this article. There is more than one type of legal description you must know for your exam. This is not merely the address of the property but is a legal description. In legal documents, such as a lien, deed, trust deed, mortgage, and sales contract, courts require an exact description of where a piece of land is located.
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