Why Real Estate Investors in Texas Need a Land Survey Before Closing
"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 Real Estate Investors in Texas Should Always Order a Survey Before Closing
In Texas’s fast-moving real estate market, savvy investors are snapping up everything from single-family homes to large commercial tracts and rural acreage. But in the rush to close deals, one critical step often gets skipped:
Ordering a land survey.
Whether you’re buying a flip, holding long-term rental property, or developing land, skipping the survey could mean buying into someone else’s problem—like hidden encroachments, access issues, or inaccurate boundaries that could kill your profits.
Here’s why every serious investor in Texas needs to make land surveys a non-negotiable part of the due diligence process.
1. A Survey Confirms You’re Actually Buying What You Think You Are
This sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many investors buy based on assumptions:
“The lot is about half an acre…”
“The fence must be the property line…”
“It’s got road access, so we’re good…”
A survey shows:
Exact lot size and boundaries
Encroachments like fences or structures crossing lines
Legal access (or lack thereof)
Easements that may limit land use
When you’re flipping or building, these things can directly impact project costs, zoning approvals, and resale value.
2. It Protects You from Title Surprises
Lenders and title companies often require a current survey for investment properties, especially in commercial or undeveloped land deals. Even if you're paying cash, you still need protection from:
Gaps in legal descriptions
Overlapping property claims
Missing access easements
Setback or zoning violations
A survey ensures your title policy is clean—and your investment is legally secure.
3. You Need It to Build or Renovate
Planning to add square footage, pour a new driveway, or put in a fence or pool? Many cities in Texas require an updated survey before:
Issuing building permits
Approving zoning changes
Recording plats or subdivisions
If you skip the survey, you might find out too late that your improvement plan violates setbacks, crosses easements, or encroaches on a neighbor’s land—forcing delays or redesigns.
4. It Helps You Make Smart Development Decisions
Especially for investors dealing with:
Vacant lots
Land for townhomes or multifamily builds
Infill development
Build-to-rent projects
… a boundary + topographic survey provides the foundational data needed to:
Plan drainage and grading
Subdivide lots
Maximize buildable area
Avoid costly legal or engineering revisions later
5. It’s a Small Cost That Could Save You Thousands
For a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars (depending on the size and type of survey), you’re getting:
Legal clarity
Risk protection
Negotiation power if issues are found before closing
Peace of mind
For investors flipping homes or developing land at scale, it’s a fraction of your total investment—and could save the entire deal.
South Texas Surveying: Trusted by Investors Across the State
We work with investors, developers, title companies, and real estate pros throughout Houston, Montgomery County, and surrounding areas. Whether you need a simple boundary survey or a full ALTA/NSPS land title survey for a commercial deal, we’ll deliver on time—every time.
We specialize in:
Residential and commercial surveys
ALTA/NSPS land title surveys
Topographic and elevation surveys
Subdivision plats and development support
Fast turnaround for tight closings
Don’t Gamble on Your Investment—Survey It First
Every property has a story. A land survey tells the truth—before you're on the hook for someone else’s mess. If you're serious about real estate investing in Texas, make professional surveying part of your process.
Contact South Texas Surveying today to get started on your next deal with confidence.
