Need a Land Survey to Refinance? | South Texas Surveying
"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
Refinancing a Commercial Property? Here’s Why You May Need a New Land Survey
Don’t Refinance Blind
Whether you're lowering your rate, cashing out equity, or securing new terms for a growing business, refinancing a commercial property is a smart financial move. But lenders don’t just look at your credit—they look at your land.
If your last survey is outdated or incomplete, your lender may require a new land survey before moving forward. At South Texas Surveying, we help commercial property owners across Houston, Katy, Conroe, and Pasadena keep deals moving with fast, lender-compliant surveys.
Why Lenders Often Require a New Survey
When refinancing commercial real estate, lenders need to know:
Are the property boundaries still accurate and unchanged?
Have any new structures, improvements, or encroachments occurred?
Are there any access, easement, or zoning conflicts?
Is the survey data current enough to satisfy underwriting requirements?
Even if nothing has changed on the surface, an outdated survey may not meet today’s standards. That’s especially true for ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys, which are commonly required in commercial refinancing deals.
Types of Commercial Surveys Used in Refinancing
📋 ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey
The gold standard for commercial refinancing. ALTA surveys show boundaries, easements, encroachments, legal access, improvements, and zoning info—all on one document.
🧭 Boundary Survey
If your lender doesn’t require an ALTA, a recent boundary survey may suffice—especially if you’re refinancing without construction or redevelopment plans.
🏗️ Topographic Survey
Optional, but helpful if you’re refinancing to fund expansion or improvements. It provides elevation, grading, and drainage data for future planning.
Common Scenarios That Trigger the Need for a New Survey
🏢 You’ve added a structure, parking lot, or fence
🗓️ Your last survey is more than 5–10 years old
🛣️ Your property is in a high-growth or rezoned area
🏗️ You’re planning renovations after refinancing
📄 The title company or lender specifically requests it
Real-World Example: Fast Survey, Fast Refi in Houston
A small business owner in Midtown Houston was refinancing their office building to reinvest in upgrades. The lender requested a current ALTA survey due to changes in neighboring property lines. We delivered it within a week—clearing the title issue and helping them close on time.
Why Choose South Texas Surveying?
✅ ALTA-compliant surveys accepted by all major lenders
⏱️ Fast turnaround to meet tight refinance timelines
🤝 Coordination with title companies and real estate attorneys
🧠 Local expertise throughout Houston, The Woodlands, Baytown, and beyond
Don’t let a missing or outdated survey delay your refinance. South Texas Surveying provides commercial property owners and lenders with accurate, trusted surveys that get deals closed—fast.
