A ‘certificate of location’ is a very detailed map of the property, and is a required part of any sale. Home owners would have received one in that big brown envelope from the notary when they’ve purchased their home. Now, do you need to order a new one when you sell? There are 2 situations, which I’ll cover today.
Do you need to order a new certificate of location when you sell my home, or not?
What is a certificate of location?
First, let me clarify what a certificate of location is. It’s a very accurate map of your property that a land surveyor prepares, and where you can see the boundaries of the property, the house and all the measurements associated with it. The certificate also points out other things like servitudes, flood zones, agricultural zoning, a number of different things.
Where do I get a certificate of location?
You would have received a copy of the certificate of location when you purchase your home. It’s always in that nice big brown envelope that you get from the notary’s office.
Do I need a new one or not?
To know if you actually need a new one, you’ll need to consider two main things.
The first is, how old is it? If the certificate is more than 10 years old, chances are you’ll need a new one, most notaries won’t pass a sale with one that old.
The second is, have you made any changes to your property? This can be as simple as adding a deck or a fence or a spa, or pool. Any changes of that nature render the existing certificate of location invalid and require you to order a new one.
If you’re not sure and you have any questions, you can always contact your land surveyor–their phone number is on their certificate location. Or you can contact your notary or real estate broker. I’m sure they’d be happy to answer your questions.
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