Plat vs. Survey: What’s the Difference?
Posted by Hank Miller on
When buying a home, buyers often hear the terms plat and survey used as if they mean the same thing. They do not. The majority of real estate agents are similarly ignorant about the differences, unable to explain each and how they can be used by a home buyer. Understanding the difference can help home buyers avoid surprises and better protect themselves before closing.
Plat vs. Survey: What’s the Difference?
A plat is a recorded map that shows how a lot or subdivision is laid out on paper. It may show lot lines, dimensions, easements, setbacks, streets, and common areas. A survey is a property-specific drawing prepared by a licensed surveyor based on actual field measurements. It shows the property as it exists on the ground, including boundary…
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Institutional investors are not the enemy of traditional homebuyers. They do not compete for inventory; traditional homebuyers cannot buy what real estate investors buy. 89.6% of single-family rentals are held by “mom-and-pop” landlords who own between 1 and 5 rental properties. The media continues to do an outstanding job of misrepresenting what a “real estate investor” is, conflating “institutional investors” with the “mom and pop” investor. It makes for fantastic click bait given the public’s 10 second attention span. The MSM should examine the “rules” traditional homebuyers are subject to as well as what those in the lower price tier are up against. It will then be obvious; there is no competition. In fact, institutional investors were net SELLERS…
Who is responsible for a tree that grows on or near a property line? What rights do you have if a neighbor’s tree, vines, or other plants grow into your yard? Fence line disputes can get confusing in Georgia, especially when vines start creeping over or trees begin to encroach into your yard. Here’s the simple version; if something grows onto your side, you can trim branches, vines, or roots that cross onto your property. You can usually do this without asking first, but you must stop at the property line. First step – know where your property line is! The fence might not be it.
Moving out of a house can get surprisingly emotional—especially when a seller takes what they shouldn't as they leave. Maybe it’s the large wall mirror, the cool smart thermostat, a custom light fixture, or even that little Japanese Maple they’ve babied for years. So what stays and what goes (can go)? That devil is in the details, and in Georgia, those details are in the Seller's Disclosure. It boils down to the definition of a "fixture" and how the seller completes the seller's property disclosure. Among other things, that document states what stays and what goes. Failure to understand this critically important document is the reason that this is the most common problem surrounding a home sale.
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