Thursday, October 25, 2007

query: are property surveys required in Pennsylvania

You know it's funny, in PA, title insurance customs evolved differently in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. We have or used to have a kind of east vs. west mentality.

east - no surveys
west - surveys
east - reissue rate regardless of eligibility
west - basic rate regardless of eligibility
east - special warranty deed
west - general warranty deed

Each side thought the other was crazy or they had no idea that anybody ever did anything differently at all, they lived in a metro title vacuum.

After vendor management style title insurance became vogue, the title underwriters did some education and now most folks do special warranty deeds, watch eligiblity for discounts and issue loan policies with survey coverage WITHOUT getting a survey.

So, a title insurer MAY require a survey in PA but most don't.

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