Program for plotting shape of land using legal description or "calls"

[pharmvet]

I have a relative who is a land banker and in the past he has helped me get the shape of a piece of property by using computer software they have at the land office. He is able to plot the shape (to scale) of property using the calls found on the legal description. He is very helpful but sometimes I feel Im pestering him with repeated requests. Is there a program available to the general public that will do this? thanks

 

[CurlyDave]

I suspect that a good, professional CAD program could do this if you entered lengths and angles for lines.

The only problem is that a good enough program will set you back $ Thousands, and will rrequire months of training before you can use it.

 

[Baby Grand]

I suspect that a good, professional CAD program could do this if you entered lengths and angles for lines.

The only problem is that a good enough program will set you back $ Thousands, and will rrequire months of training before you can use it.

... but if you have a friend who has the software and knows how to use it and you have something to barter in exchange ...

 

[jdfire]

Here's one that's free to try.

Metes and Bounds - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

 

[AGGIE00]

I use Carlson Survey and Takeoff for your application, but there are a lot of features that you will pay for and never use. It is helpful though cause we use gps on our skid steer for guidance and are able to follow specific lines pretty accurately.

 

[dodge man]

As a land surveyor, we use CAD software that is designed for that kind of thing, and yes it pretty expensive, several thousand dollars a copy. I know title companies and lawyers use some kind of software that is much cheaper, but I'm not sure what kind.

As a land surveyor, of course I must caution you how you use this stuff. Its not like we are the only ones allowed to use tape measures and surveying equipment. I have 28 years experience and am licensed in two states. Most of the time someone just wants to know what the property looks like or a rough idea where the boundaries are, which is O.K. of course.

I'll relate a story on a boundary survey I did that went to court and then I'll stop preaching. I was working for a state park and a adjoiner had put some buildings up that badly encroached on the park. This entire process took over 10 years and cost the state thousands of dollars. The adjoiner was his own "lawyer" so it wasn't costing him anything but time. He of course was not a real lawyer. The trial took the better part of 2 days. Since he was representing himself, when he took the stand he just got up there and talked. He admitted he had surveyed his own property and his results differed from mine. When he told how he did the survey, you could tell he didn't have a clue what he was doing. My point is, this stuff can be misused, and be carefull what you do with it. I would consider land clearing a important issue to know where the boundaries are by a land surveyor.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

As a land surveyor, we use CAD software that is designed for that kind of thing, and yes it pretty expensive, several thousand dollars a copy. I know title companies and lawyers use some kind of software that is much cheaper, but I'm not sure what kind.

As a land surveyor, of course I must caution you how you use this stuff. Its not like we are the only ones allowed to use tape measures and surveying equipment. I have 28 years experience and am licensed in two states. Most of the time someone just wants to know what the property looks like or a rough idea where the boundaries are, which is O.K. of course.

I'll relate a story on a boundary survey I did that went to court and then I'll stop preaching. I was working for a state park and a adjoiner had put some buildings up that badly encroached on the park. This entire process took over 10 years and cost the state thousands of dollars. The adjoiner was his own "lawyer" so it wasn't costing him anything but time. He of course was not a real lawyer. The trial took the better part of 2 days. Since he was representing himself, when he took the stand he just got up there and talked. He admitted he had surveyed his own property and his results differed from mine. When he told how he did the survey, you could tell he didn't have a clue what he was doing. My point is, this stuff can be misused, and be carefull what you do with it. I would consider land clearing a important issue to know where the boundaries are by a land surveyor.

EXACTLY!!

 

[toddbailey]

As a land surveyor, we use CAD software that is designed for that kind of thing, and yes it pretty expensive, several thousand dollars a copy. I know title companies and lawyers use some kind of software that is much cheaper, but I'm not sure what kind.

As a land surveyor, of course I must caution you how you use this stuff. Its not like we are the only ones allowed to use tape measures and surveying equipment. I have 28 years experience and am licensed in two states. Most of the time someone just wants to know what the property looks like or a rough idea where the boundaries are, which is O.K. of course.

I'll relate a story on a boundary survey I did that went to court and then I'll stop preaching. I was working for a state park and a adjoiner had put some buildings up that badly encroached on the park. This entire process took over 10 years and cost the state thousands of dollars. The adjoiner was his own "lawyer" so it wasn't costing him anything but time. He of course was not a real lawyer. The trial took the better part of 2 days. Since he was representing himself, when he took the stand he just got up there and talked. He admitted he had surveyed his own property and his results differed from mine. When he told how he did the survey, you could tell he didn't have a clue what he was doing. My point is, this stuff can be misused, and be carefull what you do with it. I would consider land clearing a important issue to know where the boundaries are by a land surveyor.

Well said!

 

[duckgeek]

I don't know if this is specific or not to your problem, but around here I use the Redfin.com real estate web site to find property border information.

They don't cover the entire country yet, but they do cover Dallas. Here's an example, scroll down to the map area and you can navigate through the map to see tax lot outlines on a satellite view.

2811 Briarbrook Dr, Seagoville, TX 75159 | MLS# 11643646

 

[greasemonkeyok]

One of the best commercial programs is:
Deed Plotter and Map Drawing Software by Greenbrier Graphics

But, it is about $200.00. You can download it and try it for 30 days for free. One really good aspect is if you have an easement described as "20' either side of a line . . ." it will calculate it for you and show the boundaries on the plat.

I haven't tried the program from CNET, but it looks like it would do.

If there are no curves in your description, just distances and courses, the calculations can be made with simple geometry.

BTW, I have used Deed Plotter do design my carryall in 2D (can't do 3D). Just converted "10 feet" to inches for purposes of measuring, and the angles worked perfectly.

Hey DodgeMan - you didn't mention the fact that not all metes and bounds calls use the same coordinate system, and even professionals can get tripped up. Had two easements that were supposed to be parallel, but when you platted them out they appeared to cross. One surveyor used true North, the other used the State Plane Coordinate System.