House Location Survey
By a Haller & Blanchard Team Member
When people contact our office asking what kind of survey will they need for buying or refinancing a home, most of them are talking about a house location survey. After years of walking properties and helping homeowners through stressful deadlines, I’ve learned that this survey brings a lot of clarity to all parties.
A house location survey is designed to confirm where the house and visible improvements sit on the property. It shows the footprint of the home, driveways, sheds, decks, and anything else that’s clearly part of the lot. Most lenders and title companies require this survey before settlement because it protects everyone involved — especially the buyer.
Even though this survey isn’t as detailed as a boundary survey, it still reveals the kinds of issues that can stop a closing in its tracks. I once walked a property where a neighbor’s fence line was mistakenly installed six feet over the line. The buyers had no clue. With the house location survey, we caught the issue early and helped resolve it before settlement day. That’s why I always tell clients: even when everything seems straightforward, it pays to double-check.
The process is simple on the client side. We come out, locate the house and improvements, take measurements, and prepare a drawing that shows the layout. The final product is a plat that lenders rely on to confirm the home sits within the proper boundaries, adheres to setbacks, and has no obvious conflicts.
At Haller & Blanchard — the oldest and most trusted surveying firm in West-Central Maryland — we’ve completed thousands of these surveys since long before I ever joined the company. What sets us apart isn’t just the equipment or the decades of experience; it’s the way we approach each survey with care. When you’re buying a home, you’re not just purchasing walls and a roof. You’re investing in stability, security, and the hope that the future will be better than the past. I keep that in mind every time I set foot on a property.
A house location survey won’t mark your official property corners or establish legal boundaries, but it does provide peace of mind. It answers the immediate questions: Does everything sit where it’s supposed to sit? Is the property layout clear? Are there visible issues that could complicate ownership?
As the real estate market keeps shifting, and as buyers face tight deadlines and big decisions, the house location survey remains one of the smartest and most affordable steps you can take to protect yourself.
If someone asks me, “Do I really need this?” my answer is always the same — you’d be surprised how much trouble a simple survey can save you.
At Haller & Blanchard, we’re here to make the process smoother, clearer, and grounded in accuracy. Whether you’re buying your first home or your fifth, this small but essential survey gives you a solid start.
