There are many things that people have to check when they’re looking into buying a property. While most people think about things like how many bedrooms and bathrooms are in the home and where the house is located, they might not think about checking for easements.
For many homeowners, easements on properties don’t make much of a difference in their decision to purchase a property. But, it’s important for them to understand what the easement does allow. There are a few types of easements that might be present on a property.
Homeowner’s association or condo easement
Homeowners’ associations and condo management may attach an easement to properties for certain areas of the neighborhood. This is often limited to areas in which other residents may need to pass through in order to access public areas.
Right-of-way easement
Sometimes, neighbors need to use another property’s driveway or another space in order to reach their property. This is common with shared driveways. These easements are limited to only specific spots of the property and may have stipulations for certain uses.
Utility maintenance easement
Utility companies have to be able to maintain lines and pipes. Easements on private property make this possible. This is more common in rural areas and places in which residents must tie into existing utility lines.
If you’re purchasing a property and have questions about easements, be sure to discuss the matter with your real estate attorney. This is a chance for you to find out exactly what the easement means so you can determine whether it’s a deal breaker or not for that particular property.