Unit 4
Benchmark
A permanent reference mark or point established for use by surveyors in measuring differences in elevation.
Who is required by the condominium laws to prepare a plat map showing the elevations of floors and ceiling surfaces? A) A registered land surveyor B) An environmental site assessor C) A licensed real estate appraiser D) Any responsible party
The answer is a registered land surveyor. The condominium laws, passed in all 50 states, require that a registered land surveyor prepare a plat showing the elevations of floors and ceilings on a vertical plane; typically, a separate plat is prepared for each floor.
A map that shows the location, size, and shape of buildings located on a lot is called a A) plat map. B) legal description. C) spot survey. D) survey sketch.
The answer is spot survey. A spot survey shows not only the location and dimensions of the parcel of land but also the location, size, and shape of buildings located on the lot.
Subsurface descriptions are useful for identifying A) residual owner's rights. B) underground condominium units. C) the water table. D) potential water problems.
The answer is underground condominium units. Subsurface rights can be legally described in the same manner as air rights, but they are measured below the datum rather than above it. Subsurface descriptions are used not only for coal mining, petroleum drilling, and utility line locations but also for multistory condominiums that have units below ground level.
Township
The principal unit of the rectangular (government) survey system. A township is a square with six-mile sides and an area of 36 square miles.
Pennsylvania does not describe land using the rectangular survey system. True or False?
True
The survey sketch shows
he location and dimensions of the parcel.
Benchmarks
Benchmarks are permanent reference points that have been established throughout the United States. They are usually embossed brass markers set into solid concrete or asphalt bases. While used to some degree for surface measurements, their principal reference use is for marking datums.
A lot-and-block survey is performed in two steps.
First, a large parcel of land is described either by the metes-and-bounds method or by rectangular survey. Once this large parcel is surveyed, it is broken into smaller parcels.
Point Of Beginning (POB)
In a metes-and-bounds legal description, the starting point of the survey, situated in one corner of the parcel; all metes-and-bounds descriptions must follow the boundaries of the parcel back to the point of beginning.
n describing a lot from a recorded subdivision plat, three identifiers are used:
Lot and block number Name or number of the subdivision plat Name of the county and state
Three basic methods can be used to describe real estate:
Metes and bounds Rectangular (or government) survey Lot and block (recorded plat)
The owner has a large parcel of land surveyed into lots and streets and files a subdivision plat. Each lot can be legally described by use of which of the following? A) Lot and block B) Street address C) Government survey D) Metes and bounds
The answer is lot and block. In describing a lot from a recorded subdivision plat, three identifiers are used: lot and block number, name or number of the subdivision plat, and the name of the county and state.
Where is the official datum as defined by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) located? A) Low water level of Lake Michigan in 1947 B) Mean sea level at New York Harbor C) New York City benchmark located near Wall Street D) Local point from which the surveyor begins
The answer is mean sea level at New York Harbor. For the purpose of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), datum is defined as the mean sea level at New York Harbor, but virtually all large cities have local official datum that is used instead.
In describing real estate, a system that uses feet, degrees, and monuments is A) metes and bounds. B) lot and block. C) government survey. D) rectangular survey.
The answer is metes and bounds. Metes-and-bounds legal descriptions utilize references to direction (degree readings) and distance (feet) to establish property lines for a parcel of real estate. A monument is a fixed reference point used to locate the point on the property line known as the point of beginning (POB).
What does Pennsylvania require for condominium descriptions? A) May be used in areas not covered by the rectangular survey system B) Plat must show the elevations of floors and ceiling on a vertical plane C) Must always use north as the basis for directions D) Must cover an area larger than two acres
The answer is plat must show the elevations of floors and ceiling on a vertical plane. Pennsylvania's condominium property acts require that a registered land surveyor prepare a plat showing the elevations of floors and ceilings on a vertical plane and the boundaries of a condominium unit with reference to an official datum. Typically, a separate plat will be prepared for each floor in the condominium building.
Unless the parcel of land is used for agricultural purposes, the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code defines a subdivision as A) any community that is planned by licensed engineers. B) at least one dozen lots or homes. C) two or more lots, tracts, or parcels. D) five or more homesteads that are served by municipal water and sewer.
The answer is two or more lots, tracts, or parcels. The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code defines a subdivision as two or more lots, tracts, or parcels, unless it is for agricultural purposes.
Datum A) measured in New York only. B) all of these. C) used in the description of an air lot. D) a calendar method of measurement.
The answer is used in the description of an air lot. The term datum refers to a point, line, or surface from which elevations are measured. It is used for determining the height of buildings or the location of property lines in multistory condominium structures.
Base Line
The main imaginary line running east and west and crossing a principal meridian at a definite point, used by surveyors for reference in locating and describing land under the rectangular (government) survey system of legal description.
Principal Meridian
The main imaginary line running north and south and crossing a base line at a definite point, used by surveyors for reference in locating and describing land under the rectangular (government) survey system of legal description.
In Pennsylvania, a land surveyor is
a licensed professional who is trained and authorized to locate and determine the legal description of any parcel of land.
When a survey also shows the location, size, and shape of buildings on the lot, it is referred to as
a spot survey
The surveyor does this by preparing two documents:
a survey and a survey sketch.
bounds
means linear directions
Metes
means to measure
Land parallel to meridians and base lines is divided into
ranges and townships, respectively, forming imaginary squares, known as townships.
The acre, mile, and foot are most useful in
the metes and bounds descriptions
Legal Description
A description of a specific parcel of real estate complete enough for an independent surveyor to locate and identify it.
monuments
Fixed natural or artificial objects used to establish real estate boundaries for a metes-and-bounds description.
In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's condominium property acts require that a registered land surveyor prepare a plat showing the elevations of floors and ceilings on a vertical plane and the boundaries of a condominium unit with reference to an official datum. Typically, a separate plat will be prepared for each floor in the condominium building.
An acre contains A) 43,560 square feet. B) 640 square feet. C) 160 square feet. D) 360 degrees.
The answer is 43,560 square feet. An acre is an area of land containing 43,560 square feet. A parcel measuring 208.71 feet by 208.71 feet would be a one-acre parcel.
The point or surface from which elevations are measured is called a A) monument. B) meridian. C) datum. D) benchmark.
The answer is datum. A datum is a point, line, or surface from which elevations are measured or indicated; a datum can be used to determine the height of a structure or to establish the grade of a street.
Survey
The process by which boundaries are measured and land areas are determined; the onsite measurement of lot lines, dimensions, and position of a house on a lot, including the determination of any existing encroachments or easements.
Units of Land Measurement
Unit Measurement Mile 5,280 feet; 1,760 yards Rod 16.5 feet Acre 43,560 square feet Section 1 mile square; 640 acres 160 acres = A quarter section Square yard 9 square feet Square foot 144 square inches Cubic yard 27 cubic feet
Some commonly used measurements are listed in
Units of Land Measurement
The condominium laws passed in all states require
that a registered land surveyor prepare a plat map that shows the elevations of floor and ceiling surfaces and the vertical boundaries of each unit with reference to an official datum
monument is used in which type of legal description? A) Lot and block B) Rectangular survey C) Metes and bounds D) Street address
The answer is metes and bounds. The term monument refers to a fixed, unchanging reference point used to locate the point of beginning (POB) for a specific parcel of real estate. A monument is critical for creating an accurate metes-and-bounds legal description.
What system uses a property's physical features to determine boundaries and measurements? A) Multiple listing service B) Metes-and-bounds method C) Lot-and-block recorded plat system D) Rectangular survey system
The answer is metes-and-bounds method. A metes-and-bounds description relies on physical features of the property to describe its boundaries and is the oldest form of land descriptions.
A metes-and-bounds legal description A) is not acceptable in court in most jurisdictions. B) is used to complete areas omitted from recorded subdivision plats. C) can be made only in areas excluded from the rectangular survey system. D) must commence and finish at the same identifiable point.
The answer is must commence and finish at the same identifiable point. A metes-and-bounds description starts at a designated place on the parcel, called the point of beginning (POB), which is also the point of ending (POE), but often only the POB is used in describing the property.
The rectangular system is based on sets of two intersecting lines
principal meridians and base lines
Datum
A horizontal plane from which heights and depths are measured.
Metes-and-bounds Description
A legal description of a parcel of land that begins at a well-marked point and follows the boundaries, using directions and distances around the tract, back to the place of beginning.
Plat Map
A map of a town, section, or subdivision indicating the location and boundaries of individual properties.
Lot-and-block (recorded Plat) Description
A method of describing real property that identifies a parcel of land by reference to lot and block numbers within a subdivision, as specified on a recorded subdivision plat.
Section
A portion of township under the rectangular (government) survey system. A township is divided into 36 sections, numbered 1 through 36. A section is a square with mile-long sides and an area of one square mile, or 640 acres.
Rectangular Survey System
A system established in 1785 by the federal government, providing for surveying and describing land by reference to principal meridians and base lines.
An owner may subdivide the air above the land into A) subsurface lots. B) air lots. C) cooperative spaces. D) vertical planes.
The answer is air lots. An owner may subdivide the air above the land into air lots, which are composed of airspace within specified boundaries located over a parcel of land.
All of the following are basic components of a metes-and-bounds description EXCEPT A) tangible and intangible monuments. B) degrees, minutes, and seconds. C) base lines, principal meridians, and townships. D) a point of beginning.
The answer is base lines, principal meridians, and townships. A rectangular survey references principal meridians, townships, and sections while a metes-and-bounds description starts from a point of beginning and references monuments to describe the property.
The legal description in the documents for each transfer of property must A) be copied from a mortgage document. B) be identical to the one used in prior transfers. C) be certified by a title officer. D) give a description in lots and blocks.
The answer is be identical to the one used in prior transfers. Inasmuch as ownership of a parcel of land is transferred many times, the legal description in each of the transferring documents must be identical to the one used in prior transfers.
A brass marker that surveyors use to mark local datums is called a A) benchmark. B) monument. C) meridian. D) keystone.
The answer is benchmark. A benchmark is typically an embossed brass market set into solid concrete and is typically used in marking datums.
To be valid in a legal description, the survey must allow the surveyor the ability to locate the A) boundaries of the parcel. B) contours of the land. C) benchmarks associated with the description. D) street address.
The answer is boundaries of the parcel. The legal description is based on information collected through a survey—the process by which boundaries are measured by calculating the dimensions and area to determine the exact location of a piece of land. Courts have stated that a description is legally sufficient if it allows a surveyor to locate the parcel (i.e., to define the exact boundaries of the property).
A description meets the standard of being legally sufficient if a A) real estate licensee can locate the parcel. B) competent surveyor can locate the parcel using the description. C) buyer can identify the property by the property address. D) title company certifies the description.
The answer is competent surveyor can locate the parcel using the description. Courts require that a description be legally sufficient (i.e., one that a competent surveyor can use to locate the parcel). A street address is not adequate to indicate the precise boundaries.
Which of the following is MOST likely to be included in a legal description of a condominium description? A) Location of amenities offered by the building B) Subsurface description of the pilings supporting the building C) Description of the other residents in the building D) Fractional share of the buildings common elements
The answer is fractional share of the building's common elements. A legal description of a condominium unit references the location of the building well as the book in which the information is entered as well as the fractional share of the common elements of the building and land.
Which of the following is the BEST way to ensure that there are no encroachments and to verify the boundaries of a parcel of land? A) Verify the benchmarks. B) Get a spot survey. C) Write a legal description. D) Find the monuments.
The answer is get a spot survey. The survey sketch shows the location and dimensions of the parcel. When a survey also shows the location, size, and shape of buildings on the lot, it is called a spot survey.
What is a detailed way of describing a parcel of land for documents that will be accepted in a court of law? A) Survey B) Street address C) Defined boundaries D) Legal description
The answer is legal description. A legal description, based on information collected through a survey, is a detailed way of describing a parcel of land for documents such as deeds and mortgages that will be accepted in a court of law.
Surveys are legally required to transfer title to real estate. True or False?
The statement is false. Although surveys are not legally required to transfer title to real estate, surveys are used in a variety of situations. They are required when a portion of a tract of land is conveyed. Lenders require surveys to identify with certainty the real estate to be used as security for a mortgage loan.
Virtually all large cities have established U.S. Geological Survey datum. True or False?
The statement is false. Virtually all large cities have established a local official datum that is used in place of the U.S. Geological Survey datum.
A metes-and-bounds description ALWAYS ends at the point of beginning (POB). True or False?
The statement is true. A metes-and-bounds description relies on the physical features of a property to deter-mine the boundaries and measurements of the parcel of land. A metes-and-bounds description always ends at the POB so that the parcel being described is completely enclosed.
An owner may subdivide the air above the land into air lots. True or False?
The statement is true. Just as surface rights must be identified, surveyed, and described, so must rights to the property above the earth's surface. In the same way land may be measured and divided into parcels, the air may be divided. An owner may subdivide the air above the land into air lots.
Legal descriptions should not be created, altered, or combined without adequate information from a surveyor or title attorney. True or False?
The statement is true. Legal descriptions should not be created, altered, or combined without adequate information from a surveyor or title attorney. In Pennsylvania, a land surveyor is a licensed professional who is an expert in measurement and boundary issues.
The recorded plat system uses lot and block numbers referred to in a plat map filed in the recorder of deeds office. True or False?
The statement is true. The lot-and-block description (or recorded plat system) uses lot and block numbers re-ferred to in a plat map filed in the recorder of deeds office in the county where the land is located.
