An ALTA Survey is a detailed map of a property. It shows property lines, buildings, easements, and access points in one document. Buyers, lenders, and title companies often use it when buying commercial property.

This type of survey can be very helpful for properties near major highways. These properties often have special rules about driveways, shared access, and road boundaries. Some of these details may not appear in a title search. An ALTA Survey helps buyers see them before they buy the property.

What an ALTA Survey Shows

An ALTA Title Survey shows the exact size and shape of a property. It also shows where buildings, parking lots, signs, and other improvements are located.

For properties near highways, the survey shows the highway right-of-way line. This line separates private property from public land used for the road.

Many people think the right-of-way ends where the pavement ends. That is not always true. In some places, the right-of-way extends past the edge of the road. This means part of the land may not be available for future building projects.

An ALTA Survey shows where this boundary is located. That helps buyers understand how much of the property they can actually use.

Why Highway Properties Can Be More Difficult

Commercial properties near highways often have rules about where cars and trucks can enter and leave the property.

For example, a buyer may want two or three driveways for customers. But the property may only be allowed to have one entrance.

In some cases, a new driveway cannot be added without approval from a government agency.

An ALTA Survey shows the access points that already exist. It can also show whether a property shares a driveway with a neighboring property.

If the only way to reach the property is by crossing a nearby lot, the survey can show that too.

Finding these issues before closing can help buyers avoid expensive problems later.

How an ALTA Survey Helps Find Property Problems

Properties near major highways often have easements.

An easement is a legal right that allows someone else to use part of a property for a specific purpose.

Common examples include:

• Utility easements
• Drainage easements
• Sidewalk easements
• Shared driveway easements

These easements can limit what an owner can build or change on the property.

An ALTA Survey shows where easements are located and how they affect the land.

Shared driveways are common along busy highways. Businesses sometimes use the same entrance to reduce traffic problems. The survey can show whether this arrangement is supported by a legal document or only by an informal agreement.

Knowing this before buying a property can save time, money, and stress.

Why Lenders Review Access Rights

Lenders want to know that a property has legal access.

A business needs a safe and reliable way for customers, workers, and deliveries to enter the site.

If access depends on a verbal agreement with a neighbor, a lender may see that as a risk.

An ALTA Survey helps show whether access rights are legally recorded. This gives lenders more confidence when deciding whether to approve a loan.

How an ALTA Survey Helps Buyers Make Better Decisions

An ALTA Survey gives buyers a clearer picture of the property before closing.

It shows property lines, road boundaries, access points, easements, and shared-use areas. This information helps buyers understand what they are purchasing and how the property can be used.

A property near a major highway may look like a great location. It may have good visibility and plenty of traffic. However, there may be limits that are not easy to see from the road.

An ALTA Survey helps buyers learn about those limits before they buy. That can help them avoid costly surprises in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ALTA Survey?

An ALTA Survey is a detailed property survey. It shows property lines, buildings, easements, access points, and other important features on one map.

How is an ALTA Survey different from a regular survey?

A regular survey mainly shows property boundaries. An ALTA Survey includes more details, such as easements, access rights, and other issues that may affect how the property can be used.

Why are highway properties more complex?

Highway properties often have special rules about access, road boundaries, and shared driveways. These issues can affect how the property is used or developed.

Do all buyers need an ALTA Survey?

No. ALTA Surveys are most common in commercial real estate deals and larger property purchases where buyers and lenders need more information.

Who uses an ALTA Survey?

Buyers use it to understand a property before purchasing it. Lenders use it to review risks. Title companies use it to look for issues that could affect ownership or title insurance.