Need a little help interpreting this Land Survey... (insurance, property, lawyer)

[JohnHenrySDM]

Here's the survey of the house I'm set to buy next week. I've known all along that the house doesn't sit squarely on the property, but have a couple of other questions about the survey.

1. The western property line doesn't seem to follow the fence line. Am I reading it correctly that the northern end of the fence cuts 5'2" into the neighbor's plot? Seems like that could be a problem...

2. How common is it that homes (like this one in an urban area) don't sit squarely on the lot, i.e. the house lines are not parallel with property lines?

3. Can one tell from the GPS coordinates listed at the four corners if those corners are right angles?

Thanks for any input.

[rjrcm]

Originally Posted by JohnHenrySDM

...
1. The western property line doesn't seem to follow the fence line. Am I reading it correctly that the northern end of the fence cuts 5'2" into the neighbor's plot? Seems like that could be a problem...

That's how I read it. Also part of your driveway is outside your plot.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by JohnHenrySDM

The western property line doesn't seem to follow the fence line. Am I reading it correctly that the northern end of the fence cuts 5'2" into the neighbor's plot? Seems like that could be a problem...

It is called "encroachment". It's not at all uncommon but it absolutely can complicate things.
Depending on how long it has existed and a few other legal specifics...
(the lender and title insurance company and YOUR lawyer should be sorting this all out)

Can one tell from the GPS coordinates listed at the four corners if those corners are right angles?

How common is it that homes (like this one in an urban area) don't sit squarely on the lot, i.e. the house lines are not parallel with property lines?

There are very few straight lines in any aspect of life.
With a compass imagine the sun rise/set in spring fall and where that crosses which windows.

[399083453]

Originally Posted by JohnHenrySDM

How common is it that homes (like this one in an urban area) don't sit squarely on the lot, i.e. the house lines are not parallel with property lines?

If you have OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder), this is not the property for you. (wink)

The fence line will probably never be an issue. It may not even be your fence.

[DMenscha]

There are no GPS coordinates on that map. The west line is approximately 23 degrees (and/or it's reciprocal 203 degrees) The north line is 74 degrees; recip. 254 degrees. The east line is 157 degrees: recip. 337 degrees. The south line is 106 degrees recip: 286 degrees.

It is not square. or rectangular even

My biggest concern would be that the setback from the east line is only 3.9 feet. Most jurisdictions require 5'.

There is a concept called the "lines of occupation" which means roughly: Oh what the heck, that's where the fences are, leave it be.

Your neighbor to the west could certainly complain about the fence, but my guess is if he hasn't over the period of time that the fence has been there, he's not likely to. A prescriptive easement may have also been created by the erection of the fence.

[JohnHenrySDM]

Thanks for the replies everyone...