Make sure you get one!
Twice in the past month I have sat with clients at closing and they asked, “where is the house survey?”
The house location survey is an accurate drawing of the property that will show the corners, fences, driveway, house, shed, deck, or patio and include some very important measurements.
Your lender doesn’t require it
In my twenty one years as a Vienna real estate agent, I have always seen the house location survey because it was a lender requirement. But apparently that has changed for most mortgage lenders recently… and my clients weren’t especially happy about it.
Having a survey is important if you ever want to build a fence, add a deck or know if your neighbor’s shed is on your property.
Maybe it’s just me, but not having a survey done when you are buying a home is a ridiculous idea. With all of the new requirements and multiple hoops that real estate buyers have to jump through these days to get a mortgage, dropping the requirement of having a survey is absurd since they only cost about $250.
When you are meeting with your mortgage lender, ask if there will be a survey done. If they tell you that it isn’t required then I recommend that you contact the settlement company or escrow officer and get one made by a licensed land surveyor.
Tell me what your house survey disclosed to you!
Oh, and by the way, ask your lender why they don’t need a survey?
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A few years ago I noticed that real estate sites seem to show the same MLS listings, so I decided to create a distinct real estate blog to share my local insight - if you already live here or are relocating. There are topics based on recent client experiences, buying custom homes, and more learned over the past twenty years. Take a few minutes and read a blog post or two to see if my approach matches your goals. I am a real estate agent with RE/MAX, have lived in Oakton and McLean, and live in Vienna Virginia. My goal is to provide you with intel into today's market, candor, practical advice, ideas to get you moving, some humor, geeky stats, the best coffee shop, some video, and a cool way to search for homes. Helping you understanding the process of making an offer, the sales contract and more will come when we meet. Yes, I live here. It is easy to reach me: 
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