What best defines a survey in real estate?

The correct definition of a survey in real estate is found in the choice that describes a survey as a professional on-site measurement of property dimensions. This definition captures the essence of what a survey entails; it is a detailed and professional assessment conducted to establish property boundaries, dimensions, and location. Surveys are essential in real estate transactions, as they provide important information regarding the physical property and confirm legal property lines.

Surveys are completed by licensed surveyors who take precise measurements to create maps or diagrams outlining the property’s boundaries. This process not only aids in determining ownership but also informs any potential developments, zoning issues, or encroachments that may exist.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects related to property description or measurement but do not fully encapsulate the comprehensive role a survey serves in real estate. For instance, principal meridians and base lines refer more to the geographical framework used in land descriptions, while specifying boundaries and locations, although related, is broader and less focused on the specific methodology of on-site measurement. Similarly, defining objects used as boundaries pertains more to markers or physical delineations rather than the detailed professional evaluation performed in a survey.