Buying a home comes with many factors to consider, one of which is whether you can get the use out of the property that you want or not. While many people may check out the crime rate and similar factors when they’re looking at homes, most may not think to find out if there’s an easement on the property they want to purchase.
An easement is a legal right for someone else, sometimes a person and sometimes an entity, to use the land in a specific manner. These arrangements are often very specific in what they allow, but they don’t ever transfer ownership of the land to the party that’s able to use it.
Easements vary in purpose
Sometimes, easements are used by utility companies so they have the right to place poles or lines on the land. The easement, in that case, will usually allow them to access those areas so they can maintain them.
Easements may also grant a neighbor the right to use part of the land if that’s required to access their own land. This may be limited to using part of the driveway or another small area of the property.
While easements don’t change the ownership of the land, they can change how the homeowner uses the land. For example, it might not be possible to completely fence the property because of the easement. This must be considered when trying to determine whether the property is a suitable investment. Working with someone who can explain the legal and logical implications of the easement may be beneficial.