All too common story (should have had it surveyed)

A common story emerges over and over again and with greater and greater frequency. A property is purchased on the basis of certain unverified claims as to it's nature. Later when a survey is performed these claims turn out to be untrue. The new owners of the property search for somebody to blame for these mistakes through the legal process but find only themselves in the end.

Should have had it surveyed!

Unfortunately the public has so many misconceptions about Land Surveyors and what they do there are few consumers who realize the benefit of a land survey before it is too late. This problem is compounded by misinformation put forth by others associated with real estate transactions who have their own partisan agenda at stake, i.e. they want the real estate transaction to close. Many of these problems are due to the business practices of Land Surveyors themselves.

The consumer in most cases is completely unaware that the Land Surveyor's role is of a character that few others associated with a real estate transaction can assert. The Land Surveyor is required to report all of the facts to all the concerned parties regardless of what the concerned parties may believe or want to be true about the property in question.

Land Surveyors who base payment of their fee on the condition that the transaction on the property in question "closes" are violating the RESPA laws . Common sense should tell the consumer that Land Surveyors who practice "no close, no pay" business can only have an opinion that is biased. Most consumers however continue to be completely unaware of these facts.