For the last several years in Texas, home Buyers have been re-using surveys. That is to say, Buyers have accepted the Seller's property survey (which may even be from a previous Seller). Typically, this is done to save the cost of a new survey... which usually cost around $400 for a "normal" lot in a subdivision (i.e. could be more for acreage). However, when you're spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a home, do you really want to scrimp on $400? No, and here's why...

A survey is how you can tell where your property boundaries, easements, and more items lie. More importantly, it's a tool you can use should a dispute over such items ever arise. For example, if a neighbor says that your fence, deck or even part of your home is on their property, it's hard to argue when you're using a survey that was done ages ago for a previous owners (and not you). And should you then decide to buy a new survey, only to find out that they are correct (oops), it's even harder to hold anyone accountable. You're certainly not going to be able to get any action from the surveyor if there were errors. Most surveys are copyrighted or protected and not (technically) allowed to be copied or transfered to new owners. So, you can't even really go after the old surveyor in court... that would be like trying to sue the manufacturer of the car that you stole from the dealer's lot. Be safe and get your own survey, or don't complain when you find out that part of your pool is in a utility easement and the power company can lawfully tear it up without repair. A new survey will show you the most up-to-date boundary lines, easements and more... and give you someone to hold accountable should they turn out to be incorrect.