Do I Need a Survey When I Buy a Home in Pensacola?

Often, yes. A survey shows the property's boundaries and improvements, and it can flag things like easements or encroachments before they become your problem. Sometimes the seller already has one you can use. If a new one is needed, plan on paying for it unless we've negotiated otherwise. We confirm exactly what's required with the closing, title and lending side of your purchase.

Vivian Corwin is a bilingual Realtor and Military Relocation Professional with IXL Real Estate Florida in Pensacola, FL, helping military and relocating families buy and sell homes across Pensacola, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, and Navarre.

• Boundaries. Where the property lines are.
• Improvements. The home, the driveway, a fence, a shed, and where they sit on the lot.
• Easements. Areas someone else may have a right to use.
• Encroachments. Something that crosses a property line.

It depends on the transaction. Sometimes the seller already has a survey we can use. Other times a new one is needed and the cost falls to the buyer, unless we've negotiated something different.

If you're using a VA loan, a survey is one of the expenses VA permits a veteran to pay when it's reasonable and customary for the area. My page for VA and military buyers covers more.

1. Plan for it before you offer. Count a survey among the costs that can come up before closing, along with the earnest money deposit, the inspections and the appraisal.
2. Ask whether the seller has one. I ask the listing agent early.
3. Confirm what's needed. The closing, title and lending side tell us whether an existing survey is acceptable.
4. Order a new one if needed. On the timeline your contract sets.
5. Read it. I go over anything it flags with you before closing.

• Assuming zero down means zero dollars. A survey is one of several costs that can come up before closing. My post on what to ask your lender about a VA loan covers the rest.
• Not asking whether one exists. An existing survey may save a step.
• Guessing at the fence line. A fence isn't always on the property line.
• Skipping the questions. If the survey flags something, ask before you close.

They answer different questions. The home inspection looks at the home's condition. The appraisal is about value, and a VA appraisal also checks VA's minimum property requirements. The survey is about the land: where it starts and stops, and what sits on it. My post on the home inspection covers that step.

Here's an example of how I lay out the steps. It shows the process, and it isn't a real client's story.

• Before the offer. We list the costs that can come up, including a survey.
• Under contract. I ask whether a survey exists and confirm what's needed.
• Survey in. We read it together and ask about anything it flags.
• Closing. No surprises about where your yard ends.

See how I help buyers, step by step.

What does a survey show?

The property's boundaries and improvements, and it can flag easements or encroachments.

Who pays for a survey?

It depends on the transaction. If a new one is needed, plan on paying for it unless we've negotiated otherwise.

Can I use the seller's survey?

Sometimes. We confirm with the closing, title and lending side whether an existing survey is acceptable.

Can a VA buyer pay for a survey?

Yes. VA permits a veteran to pay for a survey when it's reasonable and customary for the area.

Vivian Corwin is a bilingual Realtor and Military Relocation Professional with IXL Real Estate Florida in Pensacola, FL, helping military and relocating families buy and sell homes across Pensacola, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, and Navarre. Let's talk about your goals and your timeline. I'll walk you through it before you decide anything.

Schedule a time to talk with Vivian.