What Is an Encroachment in Commercial Real Estate?
"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
What Is an Encroachment and Why Should Commercial Buyers Care?
Encroachments are one of those things that don’t seem like a big deal — until they are.
In commercial real estate, even small encroachments can affect financing, development, and resale.
What Is an Encroachment?
An encroachment happens when a structure or improvement crosses a property boundary or extends into an easement.
Common examples include:
Fences over the property line
Buildings too close to boundaries
Parking lots crossing into adjacent land
Structures built within easements
Some are minor. Some are major. All need to be understood.
Why Encroachments Matter
Encroachments can affect:
Property ownership clarity
Development plans
Title insurance coverage
Lender approval
Future resale
In some cases, they can even lead to legal disputes.
Not All Encroachments Are Visible
Buyers often assume they’ll notice issues during a walkthrough.
But many encroachments are only discovered through:
Boundary verification
Measurement of improvements
Comparison to legal property lines
That’s where a survey becomes critical.
How Surveys Help Identify Encroachments
A professional survey shows:
Exact property boundaries
Location of improvements
Distance between structures and lot lines
Any overlaps or conflicts
This allows buyers to address issues before closing — not after.
Bottom Line
Encroachments may seem small, but they can have a big impact on commercial property.
At South Texas Surveying, we help Houston commercial buyers identify and understand encroachments so there are no surprises after closing.
