Mark's post below, about the dispute got me thinking. How many current property owners, in the United States, know where their property boundaries are?
In my 35 years experience, I would guess it to be around 30%. So that means that 70% of the property owners out there, haven't got a clue as to where the limits are, of the biggest purchase they will make.
Doesn't this seem odd to you? What are they thinking? They just don't care?
The bigger question; why are we allowing this to happen? In other parts of the world, you are given a certified title. Why aren't we doing that here?
Your comments are appreciated.
Thanks,
Douglas Casement, PLS
In my 35 years experience, I would guess it to be around 30%.
I believe the problem is that they all think they know where the property lines are.
Of course they know; the realtor told them EXACTLY where the line is!
Because most people get along and dont care .
> In my 35 years experience, I would guess it to be around 30%.
I would place it much lower than that. Or rather, I'd say while 100% can point at the fences no more than 30% could place an unfenced boundary within +/- 3 ft. Maybe 3% can show you the monuments.
> In other parts of the world, you are given a certified title. Why aren't we doing that here?
I began my survey career in British Columbia, where title is certified. More to the point, I bought my first house there, before I began surveying. I can assure you that British Columbians are no wiser about the location of their boundaries than owners of uncertified titles are.
> Because most people get along and don't care .
There is another part of the problem, they don't realize that the neighbor can sell to an A__hole who will tear the fence out, while they are at work, because the Realtor told A__hole the property always go to the telephone pedestal.
> I can assure you that British Columbians are no wiser about the location of their boundaries than owners of uncertified titles are.
That's interesting, do they know that someone else says they know?
They guy on the east knows (I told him) that his fence, the entire length that abuts me, is on his side of the line.
The neighbor on the north doesn't matter because the fence is in the middle of an unopened alley. Alley is still there, but the whole block has if fenced in.
The neighbor on the west knows the fence is almost dead on and that his carport supports are too far east. He has been given notice that they can stay until the carport needs replaced, then they have to move.
on the south is the street right-of-way, which has the nicest tree on the block.