I recently completed a fairly simple and straight forward survey for a buyer of a property that adjoined a state park that comprises 5.2 acres.
The property was being marketed as 6.7 acres, based upon county records. I have no idea how the county figured the parcel at 6.7, but they have so for over 20 years. The sellers never had a survey done and always thought they owned 6.7 - surprise/surprise- they really have 5.2
After a long negotiating process between the buyer, seller and attorneys, realtors, appraisers and the mortgage company, the seller lowered the selling price $28,000
Whatever the client is willing to pay for it.
Like the old Fram filter commercials "You can pay me now or pay me later"
You made sure you got a cut of the $$ you saved the buyer didn't you? 😉
about $350 around here
I did a survey for 474 ac's. turned out that it was only 452 ac's. It took hours to convince folks of a simple concept that only Land Surveyors can understand. This included some well known names in the area and field visits to explain.
History of the project was a Planning Firm from California did the initial planning work The site was in Va beach...east coast). They used "The Best Available Information", which was old county records from the tax assessor. Understandable to me. Not to the parties involved. At $33,000 and acre the difference in price was substantial.
I was questioned to a point I had to call a meeting with all involved to quell the waste of time and took a few very important hours to explain.
Fact:
1) Old tax records are just that "Old".
2) The planner did what he was paid to do with the "Best Available" information. So please stop blaming folks until your have the facts and can understand the process.
3) There was not 20 plus acres that needed to be accounted for. It never existed...
4) The area was never 474 ac's in reality...only in a tax records and the GIS department used the "Best Available" information".
5) The area I was surveying was agricultural land and the deeds were brought forward since the early 1900's. and only 2 of the 8 parcels had a recent survey. the other six had surveys old enough to warrant a new one.
6) If the proper planning was done on the owners part he would have realized that skipping a Survey in the beginning was the real cause for all the consternation.
7) My hourly rate for the explanation was worth every penny.
This aborted any negotiations and fussin about price. There were a few involved that did not like the outcome. They got over it....I was on top of my game back then and left folks with a complete understanding in laymen terms. I received a bit more work from them after the project was over.
It was my experience that lead to a fortunate outcome from a survey perspective. the property closed. folks were happy...best of all they understood my invoice...$350.00 heck no...I charged $425.00....:)
They agreed.
It depends if you are buying or selling. I am in the process of selling my Mother's house, to settle the estate. I want one of those $175 surveys that show no problems.
If you can move the parcel to Monroe, you might find a student that will save you a hundred bucks on that bid.
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Need Land Surveyor this Saturday (Monroe WA)
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Date: 2012-02-06, 9:13PM PST
Reply to: dujp8-2838661601@job.craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
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Blaine WA Real Estate Investment Company
Needs a Student Land Surveyor to mark out 0.28 Acre undeveloped land in Monroe WA this Saturday
Will provide ride to site
Will Pay Cash
Email this posting if available and Name your Price
Location: Monroe WA
Compensation: 15/hr
This is a contract job.
Depends Upon One's Perspective
To your client, they probably wish they could charge you for your survey.
To the buyer, your survey was worth $28,000.
