Easements, Encroachments & Property Lines: Understanding The Boundaries That Can Make Or Break A Real Estate Transaction

Easements, Encroachments & Property Lines: Understanding The Boundaries That Can Make Or Break A Real Estate Transaction When buying or selling a home, most people focus on the obvious details price, location, square footage, number of bedrooms, and recent updates. But one of the most overlooked aspects of real estate has nothing to do with what's inside the home. It has everything to do with the land. Property lines, easements, and encroachments can affect how you use your property, what you can build, your relationship with neighbors, and even whether your transaction closes smoothly. At Boston Connect Real Estate, we've seen these issues arise in everything from first-time home purchases to long-time family homes. Understanding them before you buy or before you list your home for sale can save you significant stress later. Let's break down what every homeowner should know. What Are Property Lines? Property lines are the legal boundaries that define where your land begins and ends. While this may seem straightforward, many homeowners are surprised to learn that what they think are their property lines may not actually be correct. Just because: A lawn is mowed a certain way A tree line separates two yards A stone wall has existed for decades A fence has always been there . . . doesn't necessarily mean that's where the legal boundary exists. The only way to know with certainty is through legal records and, when necessary, a professional land survey. Why Property Lines Matter Knowing your property lines becomes especially important if you're planning to: Install a fence Build a garage or shed Add an addition Install a swimming pool Build a deck Install a septic system or well Remove large trees Sell your property Building even a few feet onto someone else's property can create expensive problems that may need to be resolved before closing. Don't Assume the Fence Marks the Boundary One of the biggest misconceptions homeowners have is believing that the existing fence marks the property line. In reality, many fences were installed years or even decades ago without a formal survey. Sometimes homeowners simply replaced an existing fence, assuming it was in the correct location. Unfortunately, that assumption isn't always correct. During one recent transaction, a survey revealed that a neighbor's fence extended approximately five feet onto the property being purchased. Neither homeowner realized there was an issue because the fence had existed for years. Situations like this are more common than many people realize. What Is an Encroachment? An encroachment occurs when a structure or improvement extends onto another person's property. Common examples include: Fences Driveways Sheds Retaining walls Decks Landscaping Utility structures Sometimes these encroachments are minor and have existed peacefully for decades. Other times, they can delay a real estate transaction or require legal agreements before closing. Every situation is unique, which is why buyers should perform proper due diligence before purchasing a property. What Is an Easement? An easement is a legal right that allows another individual, company, or government entity to use a portion of your property for a specific purpose even though you still own the land. Many homeowners are surprised to learn their property contains an easement. In fact, many never notice one because it rarely affects their day-to-day lives. Common types of easements include: Utility Easements These allow utility companies access to maintain or repair underground or overhead infrastructure such as: Water lines Sewer lines Gas lines Electric service Telephone or internet lines Utility companies don't simply enter your property whenever they want. These easements exist so they can access infrastructure if maintenance or emergency repairs become n