What should I look for on a survey before closing?

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I just received the survey for the house I'm buying. What should I check?

Asked October 25, 2026

AI answer · not yet verified by a surveyor

Go through these items, and ask the surveyor about anything unclear [1]:

  1. Correct property: the address, legal description and lot number match your purchase contract and title commitment.
  2. Boundary lines and corners: were monuments found or set at each corner?
  3. Encroachments: any fences, sheds, driveways, roofs or walls crossing the lines, in either direction.
  4. Easements: utility, drainage and access easements, especially where you might build.
  5. Setback lines: distances from buildings to the lines, compared with zoning or HOA requirements [2].
  6. Flood zone note, if included.
  7. Certification: who the survey is certified to. It should name you, your lender and the title company.
  8. Signature and seal, plus the date of the field work.

Raise problems with your agent, attorney or title company before closing [3]. It's much harder to fix them afterward.

Sources

  1. A Beginner's Guide to Reading a Land Survey Plat
  2. Understanding Your Land Survey: How to Read a Survey Plat
  3. I'm Buying a New Home. Do I Need a Survey?

General information only. Answers here are not a survey or legal advice, and no one here can tell you where your boundary is. For your property, hire a licensed land surveyor in your state; for legal questions, a real-estate attorney.

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