Ed brought this up in another thread but I have always promoted the idea that there should be some education at the high school level on the value of surveys, a brief history of surveys and other things related to the purchase of property. I could see this fitting in with American History or some related class.
One of the most important, and most expensive, purchases that anyone makes will be for a house and property. But they come in unarmed and with little knowledge on the process.
We want to educate our clients but why not start with school aged young adults. It's as important as drivers education, home education or shop.
I do not see the class as being intense nor necessarily promoting them to become surveyors but more in line with giving them some basic information. They will not remember all the details later when purchasing but they will remember that there are some important questions to ask before signing on the dotted line.
Let's face it. The average person contemplating a house purchase is usually at a huge disadvantage to the realtors and others involved in the transaction.
Deral
Let's face it. The average person contemplating a house purchase is usually at a huge disadvantage to the realtors and others involved in the transaction.
...unless they (buyer) are smart enough to retain an attorney.
I just did a survey of a $500k lake home as a result of an attorney insisting his client get a survey.
"I think this is a waste of money, but my attorney insists I do it."
The attorney was smart enough to cover his own backside by covering all the bases.
-Jeff
Having said that, your point is well taken.
The real estate and title folks have done an admirable job of convincing unsuspecting buyers that there is an entire "team" of professionals looking out for their interests.
Obviously, nothing could be further from the truth.
-Jeff
Good Idea and it could be accomplished in a mandatory semester of "Personal Economic Skills" of which it could be a unit.
Deral.
Then there is also sex education, child rearing education, political education, religious education….
With GIS now emerging in daily use, I believe that geography should become a compulsory subject. This would then enable basic surveying awareness to be taught.
Sadly society is now being deliberately dumbed down big government who are killing creativity in an endeavor to have lambs willing for slaughter.
RADU
I generally support this idea. It has been brought up before. Some responded they heard about the PLSS in Jr. High School American history, and others said they learned about it in programs such as the FFA or Scouting.
The biggest problem is, what are we as individual surveyor, state societies and national societies doing to educate the public?
Educating the public is a huge task. It is so daunting that it is considered overwhelming by some. Only one thing is certain, it won't be solved with the professional surveyor sitting on the sidelines and not becoming proactive.
Grizz
I see this as being not only survey related but a fundamental issue for any American to know and understand. Property rights are one of the most fundamental rights and the typical person will have dealings with these more than once in their lifetime.
Geography, Social Studies, American History. You could sprinkle bits in all of those classes.
I got to thinking about this when a local professor asked me to come a teach for a week at his school. He teaches American History and wanted me to discuss/lecture on the survey system and basic property rights. He is a friend so he has heard me talk more than once about the lack of awareness among land owners as to basic property law and THEIR obligation to protecting these rights.
I think highlighting "Protecting their Rights" is the avenue to use. They can understand the value more in a survey when they realize that it's not just a line on the sales contract but in fact helps to protect their rights.
How many times have you showed someone a plat and they failed to understand the significance of easements or any restrictions that might be on the plat? This was very common during my tenure at the City when dealing with land owners when we needed to repair a sewer line or remove a fence for some construction.
Have you ever heard of I before E except after C.. We all learned this at an early age but it sticks with you forever.
Deral
No argument here TM, maybe part of the solution is; all surveyors who retire must start teaching school? 😛
Your relationship with your professor friend gave you a great opportunity...
Well Done!!
The problem with your good idea, Deral, is that common sense education like you suggest is replaced with "feel good" classes designed to make our kids "wise" to social and cultural matters.
There's no time for classes on how to buy property, balance your check book, and invest/save money.
Another alternative is to do as I did both times I purchased a house. Go to a real estate agent other than the listing agent. Probably not quite as good as having an attorney, one who specializes in real estate, as your advocate, but much better than dealing with the listing agent/broker directly. And much less expensive than an attorney.
