"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

Land Surveys During Due Diligence: Protecting Your Real Estate Investment from Day One

Before the Deal Closes, the Land Must Be Verified

In Texas commercial real estate, success doesn’t start with construction—it starts with investigation. During the due diligence phase of any land acquisition, developers, brokers, and investors are under pressure to uncover potential risks and confirm that a parcel is truly ready for development. The most effective way to do that?

A comprehensive land survey.

At South Texas Surveying, we work with buyers and developers across Greater Houston to provide fast, accurate surveys that support smarter decision-making and prevent costly oversights before contracts are signed.

What Is the Due Diligence Phase—and Why Does It Matter?

Due diligence is the investigation period following a signed purchase agreement. In this window—often 30 to 90 days—the buyer has the opportunity to:

• 📜 Confirm the property’s legal boundaries and zoning

• ⚠️ Identify environmental, topographic, or floodplain risks

• 🧱 Evaluate buildable area and development potential

• 🧾 Ensure there are no title issues, encroachments, or easements

• 🛑 Withdraw from the deal if red flags arise

📎 The survey is one of the only tools that shows what you can and cannot build—and whether the property is worth its asking price.

Surveys That Support a Thorough Due Diligence Review

Survey TypeWhy It Matters for Buyers and InvestorsBoundary SurveyConfirms acreage, legal descriptions, and potential encroachmentsTopographic SurveyIdentifies drainage problems, fill requirements, and elevation issuesALTA/NSPS SurveyRequired for title insurance and reveals easements, setbacks, accessFloodplain SurveyHelps determine buildable zones and regulatory restrictionsImprovement SurveyVerifies current conditions, structures, and physical access

Common Issues Surveys Uncover During Land Acquisition

• ❌ Lot is smaller or differently shaped than advertised

• ❌ Part of the property is in a flood zone or conservation easement

• ❌ Utility or drainage easements restrict development footprint

• ❌ Neighbors have encroachments (fences, structures, driveways)

• ❌ Legal access is unclear or crosses another parcel illegally

📍 These are issues that can terminate a deal or trigger price renegotiations—but only if they’re caught in time.

Why Texas CRE Deals Require Surveys Before Closing

In competitive markets like:

• Cypress & Tomball (where residential and commercial land mix closely)

• Conroe, Richmond & Alvin (where raw land may have incomplete records)

• Pasadena & Baytown (where flood risk must be factored in)

• Katy, Manvel, and Brookshire (where new zoning overlays can restrict development)

…surveys during due diligence are essential to navigating regulatory compliance, valuation, and entitlement.

How Investors Use Survey Results Strategically

• ✅ Renegotiate price based on site limitations

• ✅ Secure early approvals with plat-ready boundary data

• ✅ Present clear visuals to lenders and title companies

• ✅ Prevent weeks of delay during permitting

• ✅ Confidently walk away from a bad deal, saving time and capital

Why Developers Trust South Texas Surveying for Due Diligence Surveys

We’ve supported thousands of land transactions across Texas by delivering:

✔️ Rapid turnaround on boundary, ALTA, and topo surveys
✔️ Coordination with title companies, environmental firms, and legal teams
✔️ Regional expertise across Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Waller, Liberty, and Galveston counties
✔️ Support for residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use acquisitions

📞 Evaluating land for purchase? Call South Texas Surveying before you commit.

Every Smart Land Deal Starts With a Clear Survey

The due diligence phase is your only shot to catch hidden risks, define your development path, and protect your investment. A land survey turns unknowns into action items—and helps you buy with confidence or walk away with clarity.

📍 Trust South Texas Surveying to bring visibility, value, and verified data to your next land acquisition.