# Title, Survey & Easements
You're buying not just dirt, but the **rights** that come with it. Confirm them.
## Title
A **title commitment** from a title company shows who owns the property and what's attached to it: liens, mortgages, taxes, and recorded restrictions. Review the **exceptions** — these are things title insurance will *not* cover. Clear or understand each one before closing.
## Survey (ALTA)
An **ALTA/NSPS land title survey** maps the exact boundaries, improvements, easements, and encroachments. It reveals whether a neighbor's fence crosses your line, where utilities run, and the true buildable area.
## Easements
An **easement** is someone else's right to use part of your land — a utility line, a shared driveway, a drainage path. Easements can **shrink your buildable area** or dictate where you can't build. Plot them on the survey and design around them.
## What to watch for
- Access: is there **legal, physical access** to a public road? (No access = no project.)
- Restrictive covenants (CC&Rs) limiting use.
- Setbacks and easements that reduce usable land.
**Takeaway:** Confirm legal access and map every easement — they shrink your buildable land.
> *Educational content — not legal, engineering, or financial advice. Requirements vary by jurisdiction; always confirm with the local authority and your professional team.*
