Why Getting a Land Survey is Important When Buying a Home!
Why Property Surveys Are So Important When Buying a Home in Florida ?
Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, and in Florida, a survey is a critical step in protecting that investment. A survey does more than draw lines on a map—it provides a clear picture of exactly what you’re buying, where the boundaries are, and whether there are any issues that could affect the property’s value or use.
Even though surveys are often required when a home is financed with a mortgage, cash buyers in Florida sometimes question, “Do I really need one?” The answer is a resounding yes. Here’s why.
What a Survey Tells You
A property survey shows the boundaries of the land and the location of any structures, such as the house, garage, pool, fences, or sheds. It also identifies:
Encroachments – When a neighbor’s fence, shed, or driveway extends onto your property—or when something on your lot crosses into theirs.
Setback Violations – If a pool, home addition, fence, or other structure sits too close to the property line or violates HOA rules.
Easements – These are rights granted to others (usually utility companies or neighbors) to use part of your property, which can limit how you use that space.
Access Rights – Just because a property touches a road or waterway doesn’t mean there’s a legal right of access. A survey helps confirm you’re not landlocked or cut off from water rights.
Without a survey, you’re essentially buying the property “blind” when it comes to these legal details.
Common Survey Issues
Surveys often uncover issues that buyers never suspected.
Some of the most common include:
Pools or Additions Built into Setbacks – For example, a pool company may build a pool that violates HOA setback lines because they only checked city or county permits, not HOA rules. Fixing this later can require legal work or HOA approval.
Boundary Disputes – A fence that’s been in place for years may not actually sit on the true property line.
Easements You Didn’t Expect – Utility companies may have rights to dig on part of your lot, which could impact where you place a fence, patio, or addition.
These issues can affect everything from your enjoyment of the property to your ability to sell it in the future.
The Risk of Skipping a Survey
If you skip a survey, you may not discover a problem until you go to sell—and by then, it’s your responsibility (and expense) to fix it. Imagine buying a home, only to learn later that part of the pool crosses into an HOA setback, or that a neighbor’s fence cuts across your yard. Without a survey at closing, you may have little recourse and could be stuck footing the bill.
Can You Rely on the Seller’s Old Survey?
Buyers often ask if they can use the seller’s existing survey instead of paying for a new one. Technically, yes—but there are risks.
It’s NOT Certified to YOU
The seller’s survey is certified to the seller, not the buyer. If there’s a mistake, you have no recourse against the surveyor.
Contract Limitations
The Florida Realtors/Florida Bar Contract doesn’t recognize a seller’s old survey as a valid survey under its terms. That means if an issue shows up later, you may not be able to object based on the old survey.
Because of these risks, the safest option is to order a new survey. The good news is that surveys are relatively inexpensive (around $500) compared to the cost of legal or construction remedies down the road. They provide peace of mind that what you’re buying is exactly what’s being represented—and nothing less. If you’re purchasing with a mortgage, chances are your lender will require a new survey. But even if you’re buying with cash, it’s a smart step to take. Think of it as an insurance policy on your investment.
