Homebuyers receive and sign plenty of paperwork during the purchase process, including a plat map. A plat map includes information about the property’s size, location, and surrounding area. The plat map describes the area surrounding the home, helping buyers understand the true boundaries they share with their neighbors.
While it may appear trivial compared to finalizing a home insurance policy or acquiring a mortgage, buyers should review their plat map. The title office typically provides buyers with the plat map during the closing process.
What is a Plat Map?
A plat map includes the legal description of a property and specifically outlines the boundaries between neighboring properties. It clarifies where one property ends and another begins. The plat map may include boundaries for multiple properties in a neighborhood or specifically focus on the primary home. Some professionals and homeowners may refer to them as parcel maps.
Plat maps are valuable for buyers, sellers, government officials, utility companies, and developers, as they concisely describe property lines. For example, homeowners can provide landscapers with a utility map to ensure they do not run into utility lines. Neighbors can enter disagreements about their property lines and can use a plat map to settle disagreements about encroaching trees, items, or fences.
Developers and contractors create plat maps when constructing a property. Plat maps are public property, and homeowners can access them through the county clerk’s office.
Is a Plat Map the Same Thing as a Plot Map?
Plot maps and plat maps convey similar information but have one distinct difference. A plat map describes an entire parcel of land, while a plot map shows just one plot. A neighborhood or parcel that’s divided into multiple properties can all appear on the plat map, but a single property will appear on the plot map. The plot map may contain more information about features and objects specific to the home.
A homeowner may receive a plat map, plot map, or both during the home purchase process. Buyers can reference the plat map to determine their relationships with their neighbors, then use the plot map to learn more about the specific additions and features on their house.
Different Types of Plat Maps
There are several different types of plat maps you might encounter in real estate settings. Some common examples of plat maps include:
Plat of a Subdivision
A subdivision plat map illustrates the division between properties on a large parcel of land. This type of plat map comes in handy during a large-scale development, where developers need knowledge of boundary lines between properties on a single plat. Additionally, a plat of consolidation can illustrate how several smaller properties combined to form a single, larger property.
Short Plat Maps
Short plat maps illustrate a small bundle of up to four properties. These maps are useful for buyers and sellers that are only concerned with adjacent properties.
Amending Plat Maps
Amending plat maps is helpful when homeowners need to issue corrections or modifications to an existing plat map. The amendments take place after the property change is complete.
Vacating Plat Maps
Vacating plat maps illustrate even greater change; these maps are used to legally nullify an existing map.
What Information is Included in a Plat Map?
Plat maps are helpful for buyers, owners, and sellers throughout all parts of their homeownership journeys. Plat maps include the following information:
Property Location
The plat map should clearly indicate the location of your property, along with the street name, street number, and any other marking details.
Property Orientation
The map will also illustrate which direction is North, which can be useful in a variety of situations. For example, by looking at a plat map, you can tell where the sun will rise and set relative to your property. In some cases, this might affect the underlying value of your home. For example, if you are debating installing a pool in your new backyard, it may be less appealing to a future buyer if the pool is mostly in the shade during the late afternoon and evening.
Property Dimensions
In addition to outlining where your property is located, the map should also include details regarding its size. Naturally, parcel size will have a major impact on a property’s underlying value.
Designated Areas
The plat map may include various designated areas. These can include protected green spaces, public recreational areas, school zones, government-owned spaces, and more. Designated areas can help homeowners know more about their surrounding area.
High-Risk Areas
Plat maps will mark areas that are prone to natural disasters. Smaller maps usually include flooding, but larger maps might include areas at risk of fire or earthquakes.
Easements
Most easements will be included directly on a plat map. Easements give other people the legal right to access your property. For example, if someone needs to temporarily use a part of your driveway to access their property, they might obtain an easement to codify their right to do so. Easements can often transfer from one property owner to another.
How To Get A Plat Map of My Property
Plat maps are considered public information in most jurisdictions across the country, which means the government must make them available to the general public. Many governments also have websites that make it easy to access plat maps for every parcel of land within their jurisdiction.
However, there are still plenty of governments whose websites are not entirely up to date. This is especially true for counties and municipalities with lower populations. When this happens, you might need to visit a government office and obtain a plat map in person. If you still can’t find the information you need, consider consulting your realtor.
How to Get a Plat Map of My Property Online
Current homeowners who need a copy of their plat map can first contact their local government website. When that does not work, they can try reaching out to their title company to request a copy.
Conclusion
Plat maps illustrate a property’s size, location, and the rights and obligations that come with ownership. Prospective buyers should acquire the plat map during the closing process, but can also access another copy through their local government office throughout their duration of homeownership. Plat maps illustrate the property’s relationship with the rest of a neighborhood, development, or part of a block, and help owners make informed decisions about how they want to proceed with projects that can enhance their home’s value.
Plat maps also help resolve boundary disputes between neighbors and provide information about ownership rights, including which parts of a parcel owners can access and use. Before purchasing a home, buyers should carefully review their plat map along with all of the other pieces of information they receive about the property. The plat mat is one document in an array of paperwork that illustrates the home’s advantages.
