 TITLE: How to Get a Property Survey CONTENT: You may not need a new property survey if the property has been surveyed in the past. Laws vary from state to state, but typically a survey done within the past 10 years will still be valid. Check with your local tax assessor's office or courthouse to see if any prior property surveys are on file. If you're buying a new property, your lender or title company may be able to help you find previous surveys.\nWhen you buy or sell a home, lenders or title companies sometimes arrange for a property survey to be conducted and include the fee in closing costs, so all you need to do is pay. Depending on state laws, the homebuyer or seller might be responsible for paying, or the fee may be negotiable.\nTo arrange a property survey on your own, you'll want to start by researching land surveyors. Each state has a professional society for land surveyors, and you can visit the National Society of Professional Surveyors website to find your local society and find a surveyor that way. You can also ask local real estate agents, your title company or your lender for recommendations. No matter how you find a surveyor, make sure they're licensed, insured and able to perform the job on your property.\nWhen getting estimates from surveyors, provide as much information as possible about the property and specify the kind of survey you need. Once you've selected your surveyor and schedule the survey, it typically takes a few weeks to complete the job. If you need one completed for a home purchase, schedule your survey as soon as possible. END