Lenders, corporations, and title companies often require
ALTA Surveys when dealing with commercial properties, especially those of
value. ALTA stands for the American Land Title Association, which is a trade
association that works specifically with industries such as abstract of title
and title insurance. ALTA Surveys are usually arranged for commercial
properties. The surveys give the information necessary to ensure the land title
and improvements to a high degree. This information is provided to the title
company. Before completing the survey, a current title commitment must be
obtained. Los Angeles ALTA Surveys include fieldwork, a plat or map displaying
the fieldwork results, and optional elements from “Table A.”
On-site fieldwork is performed on the ground and includes
checking for monuments and rights of way and access. Monument fieldwork
comprises of the location and description, including size and type, of
monuments that control the boundaries of the property or are found within the
property. Rights of way and access fieldwork contains points such as physical
evidence, like curbs and driveways, which show the access to roads and
highways, and it also contains the location of potentially encroaching alleys
and driveways. Then there is also the locating and surveying of buildings,
cemeteries, water features, and more.
After the fieldwork is completed, the surveyors provide a
plat or map showing the results of the survey as well as its relationship to record
documents. Any encroachments found during the land survey should be easily
identifiable on the graphical representation. If the client and surveyor have
negotiated items on “Table A” of the ALTA Land Title Survey document, such as
flood zone classifications or exterior dimensions of all buildings at ground
level, then those survey elements should be provided as well. “Table A” items
negotiated for Los Angeles ALTA Surveys could be different from items selected
for other areas because of differences in climate and other factors.
www.ChrisNelsonAssociates.com is a company that can provide these services,
specifically for those requiring Los Angeles ALTA Surveys because California
serves as the base of the company. As long as the minimum standards of the ALTA
trade association are followed, all information necessary should be provided to
the title company.
