Property lines and boundaries0 answersAI answer
My deed says 5.0 acres, but the new survey shows 4.82 acres. Did I lose land?
Asked October 25, 2026
AI answer · not yet verified by a surveyor
Probably not "lost". Acreage differences are common, especially with older deeds [1].
Common reasons:
- Older measurement methods: chains, compasses and rounding in old surveys.
- "More or less" language: many deeds give approximate acreage. The boundary lines and monuments control, not the acreage figure.
- Road rights-of-way: land inside a public road may or may not be counted.
- Corrections to errors in earlier descriptions [2].
What matters most is where the lines are. Ask your surveyor:
- what evidence controlled the lines,
- whether the difference comes from rights-of-way or rounding, and
- whether there are gaps or overlaps with neighbors.
If the difference affects a sale price or a dispute, also talk with a real-estate attorney.
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.