"Texas, often referred to as the Lone Star State, is a thriving hub for economic growth and innovation, making it an attractive destination for commercial real estate investment." - Chris Evans

Why Rural and Agricultural Properties in Texas Still Need Professional Land Surveys

Just Because It’s Wide Open Doesn’t Mean It’s Simple

Whether you’ve inherited a family ranch in Montgomery County, purchased raw acreage near Magnolia, or are planning to fence in pastureland outside Conroe, you might think you can skip the land survey.

But rural and agricultural properties come with just as many legal and physical challenges as city lots—and sometimes more.

At South Texas Surveying, we specialize in helping Texas landowners understand what they really own, what they can build or divide, and how to avoid future problems with neighbors, counties, or title companies.

Common Issues with Rural Land That a Survey Can Solve

Even wide-open land has legal limits. A professional land survey can help identify:

• Exact property boundaries—fence lines are often incorrect

• Encroachments from neighbors, roads, or utilities

• Access easements—especially for landlocked tracts

• Floodplain areas that affect where you can build

• Oil, gas, or pipeline easements

• Whether the land can be subdivided or developed

If you’re planning to build a home, sell a portion, or lease the land for agriculture or commercial use, a survey ensures you’re doing it legally and accurately.

Types of Surveys for Rural and Agricultural Properties

✅ Boundary Survey

Defines the perimeter of your land based on deed records, plat maps, and fieldwork.

✅ Topographic Survey

Maps out elevation and surface features—useful for building, fencing, or planning drainage on uneven terrain.

✅ Easement & Access Surveys

Identifies legal access points, shared driveways, or utilities that may impact how you use the land.

✅ Subdivision (Platting) Surveys

Required if you’re dividing acreage into smaller parcels or lots for resale or inheritance.

✅ Improvement Location Survey

Documents any barns, sheds, wells, or infrastructure already present on the property.

Why Agricultural Properties Still Need Professional Surveys

Many rural landowners assume a fence or tree line marks the boundary, but:

• Old fences are often misplaced by several feet or even more

• Access roads may not follow the recorded easement

• Legal records for inherited or family land may be outdated

• Selling or refinancing requires a clear title and updated survey

We’ve helped clients in Navasota, Hempstead, Plantersville, and the outskirts of Cleveland and Waller County uncover major discrepancies that could’ve cost them money, land, or legal standing.

Real-World Example: Avoiding a Family Feud in Montgomery, TX

A family inherited a 40-acre ranch outside Montgomery and planned to divide it among siblings. We performed a boundary and platting survey, and discovered the original deed from 1973 didn’t match the fence lines or tax records.

With our help, they avoided a serious legal dispute, recorded an accurate plat, and ensured each sibling received a clean, recorded parcel with no future ownership challenges.

Who Should Get a Rural Land Survey?

• Ranchers and farmers

• Families inheriting acreage

• Investors buying raw land

• Developers planning rural subdivisions

• Landowners preparing to build a home, install fencing, or lease land

Why Work with South Texas Surveying?

• ✅ Licensed, experienced Texas surveyors

• ✅ Deep knowledge of rural land challenges and regulations

• ✅ Fast turnaround and fieldwork in hard-to-reach areas

• ✅ Trusted by landowners, attorneys, and title companies

• ✅ Serving all of Greater Houston, Grimes County, Walker County, and beyond

Just because your land looks untouched doesn’t mean it’s uncomplicated. If you’re buying, selling, dividing, or improving rural land, a professional land survey from South Texas Surveying gives you clarity, confidence, and control.