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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If your last survey is outdated or incomplete, your lender may require a new land survey before moving forward.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Even if nothing has changed on the surface, an outdated survey may not meet today’s standards.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.