Legal Land Descriptions Flashcards
Which of the following is TRUE of the metes and bounds system for describing real estate?
A. It is only used in states that do not use rectangular survey.
B. It always starts and finishes at the same point.
C. It produces short descriptions.
D. It is the most recent method developed for use.
B. It always starts and finishes at the same point.
Metes and Bounds System
Benchmark (a stake or brass pin)
– Identifies a precise reference point.
Point of beginning (POB) is where property line
measurement begins.
– Property boundaries are described until return to POB.
– Description can refer to monuments or markers
Legal description is required for:
A. Creating a valid deed
B. Completing mortgage documents
C. Creating a binding contract
D. All of the above
D. All of the above
Legal description accurately identifies boundaries of subject property accepted by courts of law.
• Provides accuracy and consistency over time
• Facilitates transfer of ownership
• Prevents boundary disputes, future problems with title
Additionally required for:
• Executing and recording other legal documents
• Public recording
• Establishing basis for court rulings for encroachments and easements
All of these are Legal Land Description Systems except:
A. Lot, block, and plat method
B. Rectangular survey system
C. Baseline & Meridian
D. Metes and bounds
C. Baseline & Meridian
Which system starts and ends at the same position?
A. Lot, block, and plat method
B. Rectangular survey system
C. Metes and bounds
D. Point of beginning system
C. Metes and bounds
Benchmark (a stake or brass pin) identifies a precise reference point.
Property boundaries are described until return to the Point of Beginning.
Description can refer to monuments or markers.
Which land description system uses a lot number and a block number in a subdivision?
A. Lot, block, and plat method
B. Rectangular survey system
C. Metes and bounds
D. All of the above
A. Lot, block, and plat method
Lot, Block, and Plat (Track) Method Identifies lot number and block number in subdivision.
- Platted property has been subdivided from a large tract into smaller lots.
- Plat map specifies smallest parcel of land that can be subdivided and sold
- Plat map is on file at county recorder’s office.
The Government Survey System is also known as:
A. Rectangular survey system
B. Public Land survey system
C. Baseline and Meridian system
D. A and B Only
D. All of the above
Government Survey Descriptions
• AKA Rectangular Survey System
• AKA Public Land Survey System (PLSS)
• and uses Baseline and Meridians as their starting points
Township lines in the Government Survey System:
A. Run East/West and are 12 miles apart
B. Run East/West and are 6 miles apart
C. Run North/South and are 6 miles apart
D. Run North/South and are 12 miles apart
B. Run East/West and are 6 miles apart
Township Lines are 6 Miles Apart (East/West)
Tiers are the land between Townships (Strips of Land) - 6 Miles Wide (East/West Strips between Township lines)
Tiers run East/West parallel to the Baseline
Tiers naming starts at “1” closest to the Baseline - T1N, T2N are the 1st and 2nd tiers NORTH of the baseline. T1S and T2S are the 1st and 2nd tiers SOUTH of the baseline.
Township are:
• 6 x 6 Miles, 36 Square Miles
• Perimeter 24 Miles (6 + 6 + 6 + 6)
• Contains 36 Sections
- each Section 1x1 square mile 640 Acres
Range lines in the Government Survey System:
A. Run East/West and are 12 miles apart
B. Run East/West and are 6 miles apart
C. Run North/South and are 6 miles apart
D. Run North/South and are 12 miles apart
C. Run North/South and are 6 miles apart
Ranges are 6 miles apart and run North South
Ranges are the strips of land between the Range - 6 miles wide (Run north/south between Range Lines)
Boundary Lines run North/South and separate the ranges - parallel to the Meridian Line
What is the name of the township located 6 – 12 miles east and 12 – 18 miles north of San Bernardino Baseline and Meridian?
A. RE6 TN3
B. SBB & M
C. 12R6 18T12
D. T3N R2E
D. T3N R2E
Township Names: Tier 1st, Range 2nd
This Survey system is called: (all three)
Government Survey System AKA
Rectangular Survey System
Public Land Survey System
The California points:
• Humboldt - Baseline & Meridian – Mt. Pierce (1853)
• Mt. Diablo - Baseline & Meridian – Contra Costa County (1851)
• San Bernardino - Baseline & Meridian – San Bernardino Mountain (1852)
Legal Name E ½ of Section 21, T3N R2E, SBB & M
How many acres?
A. 80 acres
B. 160 acres
C. 320 acres
D. None of the above
C. 320 acres
Each section is 640 acres
1/2 of a section is 320 acres
1/4 of a section is 160 acres
1/2, 1/4 of a section is 80 acres (320 / 2 = 160 / 2 = 80)
1/2, 1/4, 1/4, 1/4 is 40 acres (320 /2 = 160 /2=80 / 2=40)
The S 1/2 of the E 1/2 of the SE 1/4 of Section 4, and the W 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 5 contains how many acres?
A. 80 acres
B. 60 acres
C. 20 acres
D. None of the above
B. 60 acres
How many acres are in one section? 640
Step 1: Look for (and) or ( ; ).
Step 2: One (and) = 2 Formulas
Step 3: Count the number of calculations in each formula
Formula 1: 640 ÷ 4 = 160, 160 ÷ 2 = 80, 80 ÷ 2 = 40
Formula 2: 640 ÷ 4 = 160, 160 ÷ 4 = 40, 40 ÷ 2 = 20
60 + 20 = 60
How many acres are in the following property?
Beginning at the NE corner of Cook Street & Country
Club Drive thence South 550 feet, thence East 1,275 feet, which is the point of beginning (POB), then South 850 feet, thence West 1,275 feet, thence back to the point of beginning.
A. 25 Acres
B. 46 Acres
C. 12.5 Acres
D. Not enough in formation to calculate
C. 12.5 Acres
How Many Acres?
850 ‘ x 1,275 ‘÷ 2 = 541,875 SF
541,875 SF ÷ 43,560 = 12.44 Acres
How many square feet In one acres?
43,560 Square Feet
