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Define Government Survey Method in Real Estate
Government Survey Method:
The Government Survey Method, also known as the Rectangular Survey Method, is a way to describe land and property by dividing it into big squares. Imagine a giant grid of lines, with some running east-west (called "Base Lines") and others running north-south (called "Principal Meridians"). Every 6 miles, there are more lines called "township lines" and "range lines." This creates squares called townships, which are 6 miles by 6 miles, or 36 square miles. Each township has 36 smaller squares called sections, and each section is 1 square mile or 640 acres. An acre is 43,560 square feet.
Example:
For example, imagine you want to find a piece of land using the Government Survey Method. You'd start by finding which township the land is in, and then you'd look at the sections within that township. Once you find the right section, you'd know the land is within that 1 square mile area.
"A Deep Dive for Real Estate Appraisers and Agents"
Here's how its description might look using the Government Survey Method:
The land is in Township 5 North (T5N), Range 3 East (R3E), Section 12. This means that the land is in the 5th township north of the base line and the 3rd range east of the principal meridian, within Section 12 of that township.
To be even more specific, let's say the land is in the northeast quarter (NE 1/4) of Section 12. This means that it's in the top right quarter of the section, which would be 160 acres (1/4 of 640 acres).
So, the complete legal description of the land using the Government Survey Method would be:
NE 1/4, Section 12, T5N, R3E
This description helps to precisely locate the piece of land within the larger grid created by the Government Survey Method.
"Wit & Whimsy with the Dumb Ox: Unlocking Knowledge with Rhyme:"
In the land of Grid-Like Plains,
A method of description reigns.
The Government Survey, they'd say,
Helps find the land, in a structured way.
With Base Lines running east to west,
And Principal Meridians, doing their best,
Every 6 miles, more lines appear,
Township and range lines, far and near.
The townships, squares of 36 miles wide,
Inside, 36 sections do reside.
Each section, 640 acres grand,
1 acre equals 43,560 feet, as planned.
In the land of Grid-Like Plains,
The Rectangular Survey Method contains,
A way to find and describe the land,
With grid-like lines, so neat and grand.