You may be wondering what exactly a real property report (RPR) is. The Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association defines an RPR as, “a legal document that clearly illustrates the location of significant visible improvements relative to property boundaries.” However, it’s probably better understood as a plan or illustration of a property plus some details. Usually, an RPR will include drawings of the physical features of the property and written notes offering the surveyor’s opinions or concerns. It will include a legal description of the property, the property’s address, and its dimensions. It may also show any adjacent properties, any relevant improvements, and more.
Anyone working with or owning property is going to benefit from having an RPR. Realtors like me use an RPR to give a potential buyer a visual representation of the property and how it is laid out. As a homeowner, a real property report makes it easier to design improvements. If you choose to add on a garage or build a shed, the RPR will help guide your decision and keep you from encroaching outside of your property’s boundaries. Municipalities often use an RPR to determine if a property complies with the local fire and building codes.
Whether you are buying or selling a home, the RPR is an important document. As a seller, having an accurate RPR will protect you from future legal liabilities. If a problem related to property boundaries, municipal codes, or improvements comes up after you sell, the RPR will clearly determine whether the problem area was built before or after you sold the property. As a buyer, it’s important to know if any such problems exist before you purchase. For more information on Alberta’s Real Property Reports you can find their brochure here and, of course, I am always available to help Calgarian’s through their home buying and selling questions. Call or text me any time at (403) 660-5319.