Do I need a land survey before buying rural property?

Yes, a current survey is strongly recommended. Texas A&M AgriLife's rural land checklist advises one to confirm boundaries, acreage, legal access, encroachments and rights-of-way. A survey also shows where easements, fences and structures actually sit, which matters for placing a home, driveway and septic system. Texas title policies normally exclude boundary disputes and area discrepancies unless you buy extra coverage, which usually depends on an acceptable survey. Hire a Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS) and confirm the license is active on the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors roster. Online parcel maps are not a substitute.

Sources

• Texas Rural Land Purchasing ChecklistTexas A&M AgriLife Extension, Texas Agriculture Law
• Title Insurance FAQTexas Department of Insurance
• RPLS Roster SearchTexas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors