Plat maps and title docs are definitely helpful, but I'd caution against relying solely on them if there's a real dispute brewing.
"Plat maps aren't always perfect, but they're usually enough to clear up minor boundary concerns."
True, but even minor inaccuracies can escalate quickly if neighbors get involved or if you're planning any major landscaping or construction. We had a situation a few years back where the plat map showed one boundary clearly, but when we got a professional surveyor out, turns out the actual property line was off by almost two feet. Doesn't sound like much, but it mattered when we wanted to build a shed. Ended up having to negotiate with our neighbor, which thankfully went smoothly—but it could've easily gone sideways.
So yeah, plat maps and title docs are great starting points, but if there's any doubt at all, I'd strongly recommend getting a professional survey done. It's a bit pricier upfront, but it can save you headaches (and possibly legal fees) down the road.
As someone who just bought my first house, I'd say definitely get a survey done before you build anything. Plat maps are handy, but they're not exact. Better to spend a bit now than deal with neighbor drama later...
Good advice on the survey—learned that lesson the hard way myself. Had a fence put up thinking the plat map was good enough, ended up a foot into neighbor's property. Costly mistake. Anyone else run into easement issues after a survey?
Plat maps are decent for a quick glance, but surveys exist for a reason. I've seen clients blindsided by easements after the fact; one guy discovered a utility easement ran straight through his planned pool area. Always better to verify upfront—trust me, cheaper than moving fences or pools later...
"Always better to verify upfront—trust me, cheaper than moving fences or pools later..."
Good point. I've learned the hard way that plat maps aren't always reliable... had a property once where the fence line was off by almost 3 feet. Surveys cost upfront, but save headaches down the road.
