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Real Estate Principles > Unit 8 > Flashcards

Unit 8 Flashcards

1
Q

Identify the three methods used to describe real estate.

A

The three main methods used to describe real estate are metes and bounds, the rectangular (government) survey system, and the lot-and-block (recorded plat) system. These methods provide precise, legally sufficient descriptions that are essential for property transactions.

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2
Q

Explain how to read a metes-and-bounds survey description, how to divide a section of land, and how to calculate the acreage in a tract of land.

A

A metes-and-bounds description starts from a point of beginning (POB) and follows boundaries using directions and distances. Dividing a section involves subdividing the 640-acre sections of a township, and acreage is calculated by multiplying the fractions of these sections.

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3
Q

Describe how a survey is prepared and how a datum and a benchmark relate to that process.

A

Surveys are prepared by licensed surveyors to determine the boundaries of a property using legal descriptions. A datum is a reference point used to measure vertical heights or depths, and a benchmark is a permanent marker used to help surveyors with accurate elevation data.

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4
Q

Distinguish the various units of land measurement.

A

Common land measurement units include acres (43,560 square feet), sections (640 acres), townships (36 square miles), and varas (33 ⅓ inches). These units are used to describe the size and location of parcels in legal descriptions.

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5
Q

Air lot

A

A designated parcel of airspace located above a piece of land, often used in multi-story developments like condominiums. Ownership of an air lot does not include the surface land beneath it.

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6
Q

Base line

A

An east-west line in the rectangular (government) survey system used to establish a grid for measuring land. Base lines intersect with principal meridians to create a reference system for land descriptions.

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7
Q

Benchmark

A

A permanent reference point set by surveyors, often marked in a durable material, used to measure elevations relative to a datum. Benchmarks provide critical accuracy for surveys involving vertical measurements.

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8
Q

Datum

A

A horizontal plane used as a reference point from which land elevations are measured. The most commonly used datum is sea level, and it is essential for measuring heights and depths on a property.

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9
Q

Improvement survey

A

A type of survey that shows the location, size, and shape of buildings and other structures on a property, in addition to the legal description of the land. This survey is used to assess property boundaries and the placement of improvements.

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10
Q

Legal description

A

A detailed, legally sufficient description of a parcel of land, used to identify property in deeds and contracts. Common methods include metes and bounds, rectangular survey, and lot-and-block systems.

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11
Q

Legally sufficient

A

A term used to indicate that a property description is complete enough to identify the parcel being referenced for legal purposes. It must be clear and accurate enough for surveyors and courts to rely on.

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12
Q

Lot and block

A

A method of describing property based on a recorded subdivision plat. The property is identified by referencing lot and block numbers on the recorded map, often used in residential subdivisions.

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13
Q

Metes and bounds

A

A system of describing land by measuring distances (metes) and using natural or man-made boundaries (bounds). This system typically starts from a point of beginning (POB) and traces the property’s perimeter.

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14
Q

Monument

A

A physical object, either natural or man-made, used to mark the boundaries of a property in a metes-and-bounds description. Monuments provide reference points for surveyors and property owners.

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15
Q

Point (place) of beginning

A

The starting point in a metes-and-bounds description, from which the property boundaries are measured. The description follows a path back to the POB to enclose the property.

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16
Q

Principal meridian

A

A north-south line in the rectangular (government) survey system that serves as the primary reference point for land descriptions. It intersects with base lines to create a grid for organizing land into sections and townships.

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17
Q

Range

A

A strip of land six miles wide, running north and south, in the rectangular (government) survey system. Ranges are numbered east or west from a principal meridian and are used to describe the location of townships.

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18
Q

Recorded subdivision plat

A

A map of a subdivision that shows the layout of lots, blocks, streets, and public areas. The plat is recorded with local authorities and is used to legally describe properties in a subdivision.

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19
Q

Rectangular survey system

A

Also known as the government survey system, this method divides land into townships and sections using principal meridians and base lines. It is primarily used in western and midwestern states.

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20
Q

Section

A

A square mile of land (640 acres) within a township in the rectangular survey system. Sections can be subdivided into smaller units, such as quarters or halves, for legal descriptions.

21
Q

Survey

A

The process by which a licensed surveyor measures land to determine its boundaries, improvements, and elevation. A survey is used to create accurate legal descriptions for real estate transactions.

22
Q

Survey sketch

A

A simple drawing that shows the dimensions of a property and its boundaries without the details provided in an improvement survey. It is often used to provide a visual representation of the property.

23
Q

Township line

A

An east-west line in the rectangular (government) survey system that divides land into six-mile-wide strips. Township lines, along with range lines, are used to define the location of townships.

24
Q

Township square

A

A square area of land in the rectangular survey system that measures six miles on each side, encompassing 36 sections. Each section is one square mile (640 acres), and townships are numbered based on their location.

25
Q

Township tier

A

A row of townships running east and west in the rectangular survey system. Township tiers are numbered north and south from a baseline and are part of the overall system for describing land.

26
Q

What is the legal description of the shaded area in the following diagram?

A. S½ of the SE¼ of the NE¼
B. S½ of the SE¼ of the SE¼ of the NE¼
C. SE¼ of the SE¼ of the NE¼
D. NE¼ of the SE¼

A

Answer: B. S½ of the SE¼ of the SE¼ of the NE¼

27
Q

The N½ of the SW¼ of a section contains

A. 40 acres
B. 20 acres
C. 160 acres
D. 80 acres

A

Answer: D. 80 acres

28
Q

A street address identifying a parcel of real estate is

A. generally by itself an adequate legal description.
B. not an adequate legal description.
C. the same as a recorded plat description.
D. the basic monument used in a metes-and-bounds legal description.

A

Answer: B. not an adequate legal description.

29
Q

A system of describing real estate that uses feet, degrees, and natural markers as monuments is

A. the rectangular survey.
B. the metes-and-bounds survey.
C. the government survey.
D. the recorded subdivision plat.

A

Answer: B. the metes-and-bounds survey.

29
Q

A portion of airspace within specific boundaries located over a parcel of land is called

A. an elevated parcel.
B. a vertical description.
C. an air lot.
D. a datum.

A

Answer: C. an air lot.

30
Q

In a metes-and-bounds description,

A. linear measurements take precedence over the position of monuments.
B. the measurements given in the recorded description take precedence over the actual distance between monuments.
C. the actual distance between monuments takes precedence over linear measurements set forth in a description.
D. man-made monuments take precedence over natural monuments.

A

Answer: C. the actual distance between monuments takes precedence over linear measurements set forth in a description.

31
Q

A map of a subdivision that has been recorded in the office of the county clerk is called

A. a rectangular survey plat.
B. a metes-and-bounds description.
C. a recorded subdivision plat.
D. a subdivision survey.

A

Answer: C. a recorded subdivision plat.

32
Q

A survey showing the location, size, and shape of buildings located on a lot, in addition to the legal description, is called

A. a survey sketch.
B. an improvement survey.
C. a complete and accurate survey.
D. a surveyor’s survey.

A

Answer: B. an improvement survey.

33
Q

John purchased a one-acre parcel from Sarah for $2.15 per square foot. What was the selling price of the parcel?

A. $344
B. $774
C. $1,376
D. $93,654

A

Answer: D. $93,654

33
Q

The following metes-and-bounds description contains a major error. After reading the description, choose the statement that accurately describes the error.

A tract of land located in Travis County, Texas, described as follows: Beginning at the intersection of the east line of Jones Road and the south line of Skull Drive; thence East along the south line of Skull Drive 200 feet; thence South 15° East 216.5 feet, more or less, to the center of Red Skull Creek; thence Northwesterly along the center line of said creek to its intersection with the east line of Jones Road; thence North 105 feet, more or less, along the east line of Jones Road.

A. The use of more or less makes the description inadequate.
B. Red Skull Creek is not a proper monument.
C. The description is incomplete because it does not enclose a parcel of land by returning to the point of beginning.
D. The linear measurements between monuments are inaccurate.

A

Answer: C. The description is incomplete because it does not enclose a parcel of land by returning to the point of beginning.

33
Q

If a farm described as “the NW¼ of the SE¼ of Section 10” sold for $1,500 an acre, what would the total sales price be?

A. $15,000
B. $30,000
C. $45,000
D. $60,000

A

Answer: D. $60,000

34
Q

An acre contains

A. 160 square feet.
B. 43,560 square feet.
C. 640 square feet.
D. 5,280 square feet.

A

Answer: B. 43,560 square feet

35
Q

How many acres does the following tract contain?

Beginning at the NW corner of the SW¼, thence South along the west line to the SW corner of the section, then East along the south line of the section 2,640 feet, more or less, to the SE corner of the said SW¼, then in a straight line to the POB.

A. 100 acres
B. 160 acres
C. 90 acres
D. 80 acres

A

Answer: D. 80 acres

36
Q

A datum is

A. used in the description of an air lot.
B. the basic unit of the rectangular survey system.
C. the description of a subdivision recorded in the county clerk’s office.
D. a legal description by which property can be definitely located.

A

Answer: A. used in the description of an air lot.

36
Q

Which shaded area depicts the NE¼ of the SE¼ of the SW¼?

A. Area 1
B. Area 2
C. Area 3
D. Area 4

A

Answer: A. Area 1

37
Q

A legal description for a parcel of real estate to be conveyed should be prepared by

A. a developer of the subdivision.
B. a county tax appraiser.
C. an attorney or a licensed surveyor.
D. an attorney only.

A

Answer: C. an attorney or a licensed surveyor.

37
Q

A vara is

A. 33 ⅓ inches.
B. 16.5 feet.
C. a measurement used for rectangular surveys.
D. a measurement used for reporting elevation.

A

Answer: A. 33 ⅓ inches

37
Q

A section of land contains

A. 160 acres.
B. 320 acres.
C. 640 acres.
D. 43,560 square feet.

A

Answer: C. 640 acres

38
Q

Which lot has the MOST frontage on Adobe Lane?

A. Lot 10, Block B
B. Lot 11, Block B
C. Lot 1, Block A
D. Lot 2, Block A

A

Answer: C. Lot 1, Block A

39
Q

“Beginning at the intersection of the east line of Goodrich Boulevard and the south line of Adobe Lane and running South along the east line of Goodrich Boulevard a distance of 230 feet; thence East parallel to the north line of Cactus Road a distance of 195 feet; thence Northeasterly on a course N 22° E a distance of 135 feet; and thence Northwesterly along the south line of Adobe Lane to the point of beginning.” Which lots are described here?

A. Lots 13, 14, and 15, Block A
B. Lots 9, 10, and 11, Block B
C. Lots 1, 2, 3, and 15, Block A
D. Lots 7, 8, and 9, Block A

A

Answer: B. Lots 9, 10, and 11, Block B

40
Q

What is the legal description of the shaded area in the following diagram?

A. SW¼ of the NE¼ and the N½ of the SE¼ of the SW¼
B. N½ of the NE¼ of the SW¼ and the SE¼ of the NW¼
C. SW¼ of the SE¼ of the NW¼ and the N½ of the NE¼ of the SW¼
D. S½ of the SW¼ of the NE¼ and the NE¼ of the NW¼ of the SE¼

A

Answer: B. N½ of the NE¼ of the SW¼ and the SE¼ of the NW¼

40
Q

How many lots on the plat have easements?

A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five

A

Answer: B. Three

40
Q

Terri purchased 4.5 acres of land for $78,400. An adjoining owner wants to purchase a strip of her land measuring 150 feet by 100 feet. What should this strip cost the adjoining owner if Terri sells it for the same price per square foot she originally paid for it?

A. $3,000
B. $6,000
C. $7,800
D. $9,400

A

Answer: B. $6,000

Real Estate Principles (18 decks)

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