

What is a metes and bounds description?Ī metes and bounds description is a type of legal property description that uses physical features and landmarks to define the boundaries of a parcel of land. In this blog post, we’ll explain what metes and bounds descriptions are, how they work, and why they’re important in real estate transactions. One common type of property description used in many parts of the world is known as a metes and bounds description.

All surveyors are experienced in interpreting and preparing legal descriptions, and can also measure or calculate any dimensions that may be needed for the area of land that is to be described.When it comes to buying or selling real estate, accurate property descriptions are essential. Some legal descriptions are prepared by attorneys or title companies. However, it may also include only part of an existing piece of property for the purpose of creating an easement, or a lease. ( see a section map (PDF))Ī legal description may include all of a piece of property which is being sold or mortgaged. A Section of LandĪ section of land - 640 Acres. These lots frequently border water areas excluded from the Public Land Survey System. A lot may be regular or irregular in shape, and its acreage may vary from that of regular aliquot parts. "Beginning at the northeast corner of Section 33, Township 113, Range 31 thence, along the east line thereof, South 0 degrees 41 minutes 03 seconds East a distance of 200 feet thence South 89 degrees 25 minutes 31 Seconds West, parallel to the north line of said Section, a distance of 200 feet thence North 0 degrees 41 minutes 03 seconds West, parallel to the east line of said Section, a distance of 200 feet to the north line thereof thence, along said north line, North 89 degrees 25 minutes 31 seconds East a distance of 200 feet to the point of beginning." TownshipsĪ subpart of a section which is not described as an aliquot part of the section, but which is designated by number, for example, Lot 3. Metes and bounds descriptions can run to several pages. These begin at a designated point, and then give the directions and distances to be measured around the boundaries of the land. Fractional Descriptionsįractional descriptions of a larger parcel, such as "The north 50 feet of the east 100 feet of Lot 3, Block 7, Highland Addition." Metes & Bounds Descriptions In Minnesota, the Public Land Survey was begun in the late 1840's and completed in the early 1900s. Government through the Public Land Survey.

Sectional land descriptions, such as "The Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 33, Township 113, Range 31." These are more common in rural areas, and refer to parts of the one-mile-square pieces of land, known as sections, which were created by the U.S. Lot and block descriptions, such as "Lot 4, Block 7, Highland Addition." These descriptions refer to a recorded map known as a plat. There are several different types: Lot & Block Descriptions A legal description identifies a piece of property in the county in which it is used. Most legal descriptions include the name of the county in which the property is located. Legal descriptions appear in deeds, mortgages, and other documents that affect the property.
#Metes and bounds property description example how to#
A legal description is, in effect, a set of written instructions which tell a surveyor how to locate a given piece of property on the ground.
