Do I Need a Land Survey Before Buying a Home in Fort Lauderdale?
Buying a home in Fort Lauderdale is an exciting step, whether you’re purchasing your first house, a waterfront property, or an investment home in Broward County. Between inspections, appraisals, and financing, it’s easy to overlook one critical step that can protect you from serious problems later: ordering a professional land survey.
So, do you really need a land survey before buying a home in Fort Lauderdale? In most cases, the answer is yes.
What Is a Land Survey and Why Does It Matter?
A land survey determines the exact boundaries of a property and shows how the land relates to nearby structures, fences, driveways, utilities, and neighboring lots. In Florida, surveys are performed by licensed Professional Surveyors and Mappers and are legally recognized documents.
When you buy a home without a current survey, you’re essentially trusting that the boundaries shown on old records or listings are accurate. In a dense and rapidly developing area like Fort Lauderdale, that can be risky.
Is a Land Survey Required When Buying a Home in Florida?
Florida law does not always require a land survey for every home purchase, but lenders and title companies often do. In many transactions, a survey is required to:
Issue title insurance without exceptions
Confirm there are no encroachments or boundary problems
Verify compliance with zoning and setback requirements
Even when it’s not strictly required, most real estate professionals strongly recommend getting one.
Common Problems a Survey Can Reveal in Fort Lauderdale
South Florida properties come with unique challenges. A professional survey can uncover issues such as:
Fences, walls, or hedges built over the property line
Driveways or parking areas crossing into neighboring property
Sheds, pools, or home additions built too close to or across boundaries
Unrecorded easements or utility rights-of-way
Waterfront boundary discrepancies along canals or seawalls
These problems often remain hidden until you try to sell, refinance, or build — when they become expensive legal headaches.
Why Surveys Are Especially Important in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale’s real estate market presents special risks:
Many neighborhoods were subdivided decades ago using older surveying methods
Waterfront and canal-front properties are affected by shoreline changes and erosion
Rapid redevelopment can disturb original property corner markers
High-density housing increases the chances of encroachments and disputes
Because of this, relying on an outdated or missing survey can put your investment at risk.
What Type of Survey Do Home Buyers Typically Need?
Most home buyers in Fort Lauderdale order one of the following:
Boundary Survey – Shows exact property lines, corners, and encroachments
Location Survey (Mortgage Survey) – Confirms the location of structures relative to boundaries and setbacks
Your lender or title company can tell you which type they require.
How Much Does a Land Survey Cost in Fort Lauderdale?
The cost of a residential land survey in Fort Lauderdale typically ranges from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, depending on:
Property size and shape
Location and accessibility
Whether the lot is waterfront
Availability of existing records
Compared to the cost of resolving a boundary dispute or removing an encroaching structure, a survey is a very small investment.
When Should You Order the Survey?
Ideally, the survey should be ordered early in the closing process, after your contract is accepted but before final approval. This gives you time to address any issues before closing.
If problems are found, you may be able to:
Ask the seller to correct them
Renegotiate the purchase price
Walk away from the deal if necessary
Do You Still Need a Survey If the Seller Has One?
Not always. Many existing surveys are outdated and may not reflect recent fences, additions, or shoreline changes. Title companies often require a recent survey dated within the last year.
If the seller’s survey is old, ordering a new one is usually the safest option.
Final Thoughts
While a land survey may not always be legally required, it is one of the smartest steps you can take when buying a home in Fort Lauderdale. It protects your ownership rights, helps your lender and title company, and prevents costly surprises after closing.
Before you finalize your purchase, talk to your real estate agent, lender, or a licensed Fort Lauderdale land surveyor to make sure your new home comes with clear and accurate boundaries.