Chapter 12

Sq. Foot

144 sq. inches

Rod

16.5 feet; 5.5 yards

Cu. Yard

27 cu. feet

Vara

33 1/3 inches (This measurement is specific to Texas real estate and is used according to Texas statute)

Acre

43,560 sq. feet; 160 sq. rods

Mile

5,280 feet; 1760 yards; 320 rods

Section

640 acres

Sq. Mile

640 acres

Chain

66 feet; 4 rods; 100 links

Sq. Yard

9 sq. feet

What does a boundary survey do?

A boundary survey locates and verifies all property corners and boundaries, shows the location of all improvements in relation to the property lines, includes an area of the overall property and shows any existing encroachments.

What is the definition of a legal description?

A description which accurately locates and identifies the boundaries of the subject parcel to a degree acceptable by courts of law in the state where the property is located.

What situations require a legal description?

A legal description is required for: Public recording Creating a valid deed of conveyance or lease Completing mortgage documents Executing and recording other legal documents

How does a location survey differ from a boundary survey?

A location survey is boundary survey with the additional location of all the interior improvements.

Metes and Bounds

A metes and bounds description identifies the boundaries of a parcel of real estate using reference points, distances, and angles. The description always identifies an enclosed area by starting at an origination point, called point of beginning, or POB, and returning to the POB at the end of the description. The term "metes" refers to distance and direction, and the term "bounds" refers to fixed reference points, or monuments and landmarks.

In the rectangular survey method, how large is a township in square miles and how large is a township section?

A township is 36 square miles and a section is one square mile or 640 acres.

What does a metes and bounds legal description do?

Identifies the boundaries of a parcel of real estate using reference points, distances, and angles.

The three accepted methods of legally describing parcels of real estate are:

Metes and Bounds Rectangular Survey System Lot and Block Method

When did the Public Land Survey System begin?

Shortly after the American Revolution, when the federal government became responsible for large areas of land west of the original thirteen states.

What are datums?

Standard elevation reference points

What does Texas law require in order to record the plat with the county?

That all taxes, both current and delinquent, must be paid.

For what kinds of properties is the lot and block method most often used?

The lot and block system, also called the recorded plat method, is used to describe properties in residential, commercial, and industrial subdivisions.

Why is Texas not a Public Land State?

The public lands in the 30 Public Lands States were owned by the United States Government, but Texas retained ownership of its public lands even after annexation to the United States.

When are property surveys most often conducted?

When land is being sold

Residential surveys

are usually the most common and come in two basic forms. A house location survey, which is also sometimes called a drive-by survey, is designed to show the location of the house and other large structures on the property, as well as the orientation of those structures in relation to each other. Cadastral land surveys typically contain much more information, showing exactly where boundaries, easements, and property lines are located. Surveyors typically go to the property and make real-time measurements, which are compared with archived land records to create a more complete picture of what is located where.

Public Land Survey System (PLSS)

is the method traditionally used over the largest part of the United States to survey and classify land parcels and is occasionally referred to as the rectangular survey.

Rectangular Survey System

or government survey method - The federal government developed this method to simplify and standardize property descriptions as a replacement for the cumbersome and often inaccurate metes and bounds method. Range - The north-south area between consecutive meridians Tier - The east-west area between two parallels Township -The area enclosed by the intersection of two consecutive meridians and two consecutive parallels. Since the parallels and meridians are six miles apart, a township is a square with six miles on each side.

Lot and Block Method

or recorded plat method - This system is used to describe properties in residential, commercial, and industrial subdivisions. The description of a recorded plat property first presents the property's lot number or letter, then the block identifier and the subdivision name.

The Texas Uniform Condominium Act

requires that a licensed surveyor record condominium plats showing elevation of floor and ceilings along with the outside boundaries