Geometric boundaries are essential to know and understand when selling real estate. Buyers want to know exactly what they can do with their property and whether the geometric boundaries will prevent them from their goals and dreams for the property. There are also impacts that certain geometric boundaries can have on the value of the property and the responsibilities of the buyer.
The essential geometric borders that real estate agents need to pay specific attention to include state and county lines, property lines, and school district boundaries. Some properties may have easements that are important to pay attention to as well. Each of these borders can impact the price of real estate and determine whether it is desirable for buyers.
What is a Geometric Boundary?
A geometric boundary is a border that is formed regardless of the physical and cultural features that pass through it. Geometric boundaries can cross rivers, mountains, hills, roads, and highways.
Geometric boundaries, also known as geometric borders, are used to form property lines. The geometric border often tends to be straight, but it can also be formed with arcs. They also can include or exclude natural features of the land such as rivers, ponds, and streams.
Examples of Geometric Boundaries
Some common examples of geometric boundaries include:
- U.S.- Canada border
- Property lines and county road easement
- State boundaries
- School district boundaries
- County boundaries
Each of these boundaries is formed with straight lines and arcs that are irrespective of the cultural and physical features of the land.
What Geometric Boundaries Matter to Buyers
Geometric boundaries have been created for governmental purposes, taxation purposes, and to determine the responsibility of property maintenance. These boundaries can also determine the value of the property based on the county and state taxes that are associated with it.
School districts use geometric boundaries to determine how many students will be attending their school system. Houses that are in the geometric boundary of a good school district will have higher home values. Buyers that are parents are often willing to pay more for a home in a good school district. They want their kids to receive a great education.
Property lines are important geometric boundaries for the homeowner to learn before buying a home. The property line lets them know what they own and must maintain. Property lines will help homeowners determine where it is legal to place a fence. If the fence is placed on an easement or onto a neighbor’s property, it will have to be removed.
Often the property line does not extend all the way to the street. Property owners may be able to plant trees and grow vegetables up to the edge of their property. They may not plant or cut down trees that are on the county road easement. The county needs some access to the road in order to maintain it.
An easement is the right to cross or use another person’s property. It is important to discover whether the property has any easement restrictions on it. An example of an easement is a carriageway. This is a shared driveway. Often the shared driveway will be maintained by both property owners that use it.
State boundaries determine the property taxes that are paid. Every state will impose a different amount for property taxes. Buying a home in a state with low property taxes will impact the cost of the home. It can also determine the budget that buyers have for particular homes. Buyers that want to live in a big home should consider moving to a state with lower property tax rates to make it more affordable. Wyoming, Alabama, Arkansas, and West Virginia have tax rates that are below 1% and affordable average home values.
Local governments are defined by geometric boundaries as well. Cities and counties will have their own taxes and provide different services for their residents. Taxes can vary from one county to the next. For residents of some counties, there will be multiple services provided. Some county governments provide trash service, snow removal, road maintenance, and water for their residents. Rural areas may not provide as many services, but living in their geometric boundaries may be less expensive due to lower tax rates.
Finding the Geometric Boundaries
1) Google Searches – A quick search on Google will help you to discover the geometric boundaries of the state and county where a property is located. Local government geometric boundaries can be found on county and city maps.
2) County Assessor’s Office – To find the property lines, you can check the official website for the assessor’s office in your municipality. Assessors will often have mapping tools for all the real estate in the area. These maps can help determine the boundary lines for the property. Landmarks are fixed points which can help you determine where property lines lie. You can measure from the landmark with a tape measure the distance to the property.
3) Property Deeds – The property’s deed should also contain the boundary lines and measurements. Using the landmarks in the description on the deed, you can place stakes on your property to determine the outline. This will help you visually determine where the property line ends and where your neighbors begin.
4) School District websites – To discover the school district’s geometric boundaries, go to the school district’s website. They will often have a list of the schools and their boundaries posted online.
5) Real Estate Software- ProspectNow provides a comprehensive database of information on a property. This extensive service can save time going to a variety of sources to find information on a property.