Quick Answer
A survey tells you exactly where your property lines fall, which matters for fences, additions, and driveways. It can also reveal an encroachment or an easement that wasn't obvious from a walkthrough.
- Prepared by
- A licensed surveyor
- Shows
- Boundaries, structures, easements
- Often required for
- New construction, unusual lots, some lenders
- Not the same as
- A home inspection or appraisal
What a Survey Actually Shows
A typical boundary or mortgage survey marks the corners and lines of a lot, along with the footprint of the house, garage, fences, decks, and driveways relative to those lines. It also plots any recorded easements, so a buyer can see, for example, exactly how much of the backyard sits under a utility easement.
Some transactions call for a more detailed ALTA/NSPS survey, which adds items like zoning setbacks and flood zone data, and is more common on larger or commercial-adjacent properties than on a typical suburban resale.
When a Survey Is Worth Ordering
Older Central Indiana neighborhoods, rural parcels, and properties with fences or additions that look like they might cross a line are all good candidates for a fresh survey, since an outdated one may not reflect current improvements. New construction almost always comes with a current survey from the builder or municipality.
A survey isn't automatically required for every resale, so buyers who want one should ask early, since scheduling and turnaround time can affect the closing timeline.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Survey
Do I need a survey to buy a house in Indiana?
Not always. Many resales close without a new survey, though a lender, title company, or buyer's attorney may require or recommend one depending on the property.
How is a survey different from a home inspection?
A survey maps legal boundaries and structures on the land; a home inspection evaluates the condition of the house itself.
Who pays for a survey?
This is negotiable between buyer and seller and varies by transaction, so ask your agent how it's typically handled locally.
What if a survey finds a fence in the wrong spot?
It becomes a conversation between the parties, sometimes resolved with a boundary line agreement, moving the fence, or simply disclosure and acceptance by the buyer.