Are Property Lines Always Accurate? What Homebuyers Often Get Wrong

“A property line is one of the most invisible—and most important—lines you’ll ever cross.”

Let’s talk about something that catches even the savviest buyers off guard: property lines.

We’re not talking about vague hypotheticals here—we’re talking about the very real, physical lines that define what you actually own when you buy a house. Not the grass you mow. Not the strip of land with the daffodils you’ve admired. I mean the legal boundaries that shape what’s yours—and what’s not.

At Buyer’s Edge | BuyersAgent.com, we’ve walked thousands of properties. And trust me, this comes up a lot. People think they’re buying a certain slice of land, only to find out later... the property line is nowhere near where they thought it was.

Let Me Tell You a Quick Story

Not long ago, we were showing a home in a lovely neighborhood—charming block, mature trees, a wide front yard that looked like it rolled right to the curb.

The buyers were dreaming about adding a fence, maybe expanding the home's footprint someday. We pulled up the LandGlide app on the phone. (It’s a lifesaver. More on that in a sec.)

And then—surprise, on that same day!

Bright orange flags marked the real boundary. The actual property line? A solid 15 feet back from the street curb. Right where the buyers assumed their future boxwood hedge would be up against that white picket fence. It turns out the wide green space in front was owned by the county. This is fairly standard, but many homebuyers are unaware of.

They’d still have to mow it. They’d still have to take care of it. But they’d never be able to build on it or claim it as theirs.

Do I Need A Buyer’s Agent to Buy a Home?
Why Property Lines Matter—A Lot!

Most people look at fences, driveways, sidewalks, or even where their neighbor cuts the grass to guess where their property begins and ends.

Spoiler alert: those are terrible indicators.

Here’s what’s at stake:

• Building Plans: Want to put on an addition? Build a porch? Replace a driveway? Local permitting authorities will base everything on the actual lot lines—not what you think you own.

• Resale Value: If you overstep onto city land or a neighbor’s property, guess who pays to fix it? You do.

• Legal Disputes: Encroachments happen. And no one wants to get dragged into a boundary dispute over a few feet of lawn.

So... How Do You Really Know Where Your Property Lines Are?

Here are a few things we use (and you should too):

1. LandGlide App (there are a number of these Apps) and Understanding
Property Lines

It pulls public parcel data from tax maps and overlays it on a live GPS map so you can see where you’re standing—and where the property lines approximately are.
Download it. Use it during house tours. It’s an eye-opener. However, we advise our buyer clients that LandGlide should always be double-checked by an actual property survey.

2. Pay for a Survey

Ask the seller if they have a recent property survey. Regardless, we highly recommend hiring a surveyor before closing.
Bonus tip: Some lenders require a survey if you’re financing with a mortgage. Caution here. There are different levels of surveys and the banks don’t generally require the best one. The best case is to order a “Staked Boundary Survey”. which actually marks the corners, stakes them with a piece of metal rebar in the ground and identifies other points on the lines and encroachments.

3. Pay Attention to Flag Markers on Property Lines

Sometimes, especially for new builds or recent transactions, you’ll see flags in the ground. Don’t ignore them. They’re probably telling you something important.

A Few Real-World Surprises We Saved Our Buyers From:

• A buyer initially thought they would own the strip of land with a prized oak tree. Unfortunately, the neighbor did. Our buyer’s agent made them aware of this, and after some thought, our buyers bought the home anyway, with this new information about the property lines.

• A fence was two feet onto the next door neighbor’s land. When contacted, the future neighbor said they would have to move it after closing. We negotiated and secured a full credit from the seller to cover the cost of the new fence.

• One buyer wanted a pool—but we discovered an easement running across their backyard? Dealbreaker.

Here’s our Best Advice From our
Exclusive Buyer’s Agents

Don’t trust your eyes. Trust the records.

When you’re buying a home, don’t just fall in love with the layout or the front porch. Ask questions about where the lot begins and ends. Pull the data. Bring a pro with you who knows how to interpret it. A few extra steps can save you thousands—and a whole lot of heartache.

At Buyer’s Edge, this is part of what we do every day. We pull out the map, fire up LandGlide, and show you the real lines—not the assumed ones. Then we recommend getting a detailed survey.

Because buying a home should come with clarity, not surprises.

If you’ve got questions about a property you're considering—or want to understand what you're really getting into—reach out. We’ll walk the boundary lines with you. Literally.

Watch this quick on-site walkthrough as a Buyer’s Edge Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, Stephen Carpenter-Israel, uses the LandGlide app to reveal surprising truths about property lines. Learn how perceived lot boundaries often differ from actual survey lines—and why this matters when buying, building, or budgeting for a home. This video offers real-world insight into property line mistakes, homebuyer education, and smart real estate planning.

Related:
Does My Property End at the Sidewalk or the Curb? How Can Homeowners Manage that Piece of Property in the Front of Their Homes That They Don’t Own?
Best Property Lines Apps for Android & iOS When Buying a Home in the DMV
Buying a Home? What is a Designated Buyer's Agent vs. Exclusive Buyer's Agent?
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