What Are Property Surveys, and Why Do They Matter?

Before you buy a home, it’s easy to focus on what’s inside—the floor plan, the kitchen, the finishes. But one of the most important parts of any real estate deal in Lubbock is what’s on paper: your property survey.

A property survey is a scaled drawing that shows the exact boundaries and physical features of a piece of land. It’s the legal snapshot of where your property begins and ends—and it matters more than most buyers realize.

Here’s what a survey includes:

• The precise lot dimensions and boundary lines

• Locations of structures, fences, driveways, and easements

• Utility lines and drainage access points

• Any encroachments—where a structure crosses into someone else’s property (or theirs into yours)

Why Surveys Matter

1. They Confirm What You’re Buying.
   A fence line isn’t always accurate. A survey ensures you’re getting what’s legally yours—and not what the neighbor’s fence suggests.

2. They Protect You from Disputes.
   If a future neighbor challenges your property line, your recorded survey serves as proof of ownership boundaries.

3. They’re Required for Lender Approval.
   Most lenders require a recent survey (usually within the last few years) before funding your loan. It confirms the home and structures match the legal description.

4. They Reveal Easements and Restrictions.
   Easements allow access for utilities, drainage, or city maintenance. A survey shows where they are—so you don’t accidentally build a fence or shop on city property.

In Texas, either the buyer or seller can pay for a new survey, depending on what’s negotiated in the contract. If the seller has an existing one that’s still accurate and accepted by the title company, that can save both parties time and money.

When I represent buyers, I review the survey line by line with the title company before closing. If anything looks questionable—like a fence outside the boundary or a shed sitting on an easement—we address it immediately.

A survey doesn’t just draw a map—it draws protection.

In short: if the deed says you own it, the survey proves it. And in real estate, that little piece of paper can prevent a lot of expensive conversations later.

— Insights from Tess Hernandez, Realtor | Reside Real Estate