These surveys help title insurance companies figure out their way around a property’s improvements, easements, rights-of-way, fences, utility lines, installations, trails, paths, roads, and other aspects and information that would play a role in helping insure the land. Before pursuing an ALTA survey, you must have a title commitment for the piece of property. This title commitment will be referred back to by the surveyor for any legalities and legal descriptions of encumbrances.
ALTA surveys are not legally required by the state and sometimes are not necessary. It is often important to wage the potential risks in buying a property with the expense of taking due diligence and getting an ALTA survey. For example, an apartment building in an already well-developed urban area won’t have has as much potential for possible boundary encroachments and property battles. It is best to have a site inspection and a review of the preliminary title report before deciding if pursuing an ALTA survey is the best for you and your property.