Legal Description Methods

Question 1

A legal description is…

Answer 1

a description of a property that is distinct and precise enough to distinguish it from all other properties.

Question 2

Sales contracts, leases, and deeds must contain a property description that is precise in order to be…

Answer 2

valid

Question 3

Metes and bounds are…

Answer 3

a licensed land surveyor starting from a known point and using distance and direction references (calls) to trace the property’s boundaries, eventually returning to the starting point.

Question 4

metes and bounds method:

Answer 4

Sure, here’s a simpler breakdown of how a surveyor uses the metes and bounds method:

1. Starting Point: The survey begins at a fixed starting point, often on a road, called the “point of beginning” (POB).
2. Describing Points: The surveyor describes the next point by stating the distance (in feet) from the starting point and the direction (like north or south).
3. Sequential Path: This process continues, with each point described in terms of distance and direction from the previous point.
4. Returning to Start: The surveyor keeps identifying points until the description loops back to the starting point (POB). It always ends where it began.
5. Clockwise Path: The points are usually connected in a clockwise manner around the land, outlining the property’s boundaries. The distances are given in feet, and directions are specified using degrees, minutes, and seconds.

So, essentially, the surveyor moves around the property, marking out points by measuring distance and direction from the starting point until they’ve outlined the entire property’s shape.

Question 5

Platted land means…

Answer 5

a tract or parcel of land which has been subdivided into lots of less than five acres

Question 6

block and lot system (also called the recorded plat method) is…

Answer 6

a type of legal description that identifies a piece of platted property by referring to the section, block, and lot numbers in a subdivision.

Question 7

Tract is…

Answer 7

all the plats together

Question 8

block and lot method:

Answer 8

Certainly, let’s simplify the process of block and lot surveys and subdivision plats:

1. Parcel Identification: The block and lot system uses metes and bounds to outline the borders of each piece of land, called a parcel. This helps identify specific lots within a larger property area.
2. Creating a Plat: Once the surveyor knows the property’s boundaries, they make a detailed map called a plat (or plat map). This map shows lines that divide individual lots within the property.
3. Dividing into Blocks and Lots: On the plat map, the developer assigns numbers or letters to lots within blocks. Blocks are groups of parcels, and lots are individual sections of land. For instance, “Lot A, Block 2 of Sunny Brook, Happy County, North Carolina.”
4. Subdivision Explanation: Imagine a new neighborhood is being built. The developer plans it out and then draws the subdivision plat map. This map has lot numbers, block numbers (for groups of lots), and a name or number for the whole area (tract). This information becomes official.
5. Referencing Plats: Property descriptions in deeds often include a reference to a plat map. This reference specifies where the property is on the map. These plat maps are recorded in government records, making them official and dependable.
6. Example: Picture a simplified plat map from East Lake Subdivision in Garrett County, Georgia.

In summary, the block and lot system uses metes and bounds to outline parcels. A plat map is created to show lot divisions, and these lots are organized into blocks. This information is referenced in property deeds and recorded officially in government records.

Question 9

the government survey system, also known as…

Answer 9

the rectangular survey system or public land survey system.

Question 10

The government survey system method depends on…

Answer 10

a grid using the longitude and latitude system of mapping.

Question 11

Longitude lines, called…

Answer 11

meridians

Question 12

Latitude lines, called…

Answer 12

baselines/township lines

Question 13

There are ____ principal meridians in the U.S. government survey system

Answer 13

37

Question 14

what are ranges?

Answer 14

the area of land between range columns (they run longitude wise). they’re six mile wide.

Question 15

what are tiers?

Answer 15

the area of land between township lines (they run latitude wise). they’re six miles apart.

Question 16

how many square miles is a township?

Answer 16

36

Question 17

what’s a baseline?

Answer 17

distinguished longitude line for government survey purposes

Question 18

how does township numbering work?

Answer 18

In summary, township numbering uses a grid system with base lines and principal meridians. Each 6-mile by 6-mile square area is called a township, and they’re numbered based on their position north or south of the base line and east or west of the principal meridian, using the range and tier system.

Question 19

size of a section?

Answer 19

Each section covers 640 acres, and every acre contains 43,560 square feet

Question 20

how does sectioning a township work?

Answer 20

Certainly, here’s a simplified explanation:

• Township Divisions: A 36-square-mile area, known as a township, can be split into 36 smaller square mile sections.
• Starting Point: Sections are numbered, starting in the upper right corner of the township.
• Size: Each section covers 640 acres, and every acre contains 43,560 square feet.
• Numbering Pattern: On a township map, section numbering begins in the top right corner. Then, the numbers move from right to left on the first row, then down to the second row, where they move from left to right. This zigzag pattern continues until all sections are numbered.
• Snaking Pattern: This zigzag numbering is called a “snaking” pattern and is used instead of the traditional left-to-right numbering.

In summary, a township can be divided into 36 sections, each covering 640 acres. The sections are numbered starting in the upper right corner and are labeled in a snaking pattern for easier identification on a map.

Question 21

you can further divide sections of townships. how would you divide and label those?

Answer 21

into fourths and label them like = 1/4 direction of 1/4 direction of 1/4 direction etc etc (directions* is NW, NE, SW, and SE) WATCH VIDEO of this cuz its lengthy to explain

Question 22

how many prime meridians does the USA have?

Answer 22

37

Question 23

A survey is…

Answer 23

is the process and physical product of finding and measuring the boundaries of a piece of real estate, including the location of improvements, encroachments, and easements.

Question 24

That said, as a real estate agent, you should never offer your opinion about the accuracy of the…

Answer 24

survey

Question 25

You should strongly encourage buyers to get an updated survey done as part of their…

Why?

Answer 25

due diligence process.

Title insurance might not cover issues found by a survey if one hasn’t been done

Question 26

longitude goes in which direction

Answer 26

n to s