What Is Township In Real Estate

History Of A Township Survey System

The history of the township survey system in the United States dates back to the 18th century when the Federal Government sought an efficient way to divide and distribute public lands. This system, known as the Government Survey System, was implemented to provide a standardized and accurate method for surveying and describing land parcels.

Real Estate Use Of Townships

• Real estate agents and professionals rely on township information to accurately locate and describe properties, ensuring buyers and sellers have a clear understanding of the exact location and boundaries of a parcel of land
• Townships provide a handy reference for government surveys and legal descriptions, making them an essential tool in the real estate industry.
• They provide an organized system for land surveying and property descriptions.
• Townships serve as the foundation for property locations and boundary lines.

Townships In Modern Legal Descriptions

A township plays a significant role in modern legal descriptions in real estate. It is used to define property locations and is an essential component of property descriptions.

A township’s legal description includes several key components.

Township Property Boundary Lines

In real estate, township property boundary lines play a crucial role in defining the limits of a township and locating properties within it. These lines, running parallel to the baseline, serve as reference points for identifying the boundaries of individual parcels of land.

Township property boundary lines are critical for real estate professionals and property owners alike. Understanding these lines allows for the accurate description and identification of property boundaries. This knowledge helps in determining the exact location of a property in relation to surrounding landmarks, neighboring properties, and public spaces.

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Quarter Sections and Guide Meridians

Quarter sections and guide meridians are essential components of the U.S. Rectangular Survey System, which is used to divide and describe land in the United States.

In this system, each township is divided into 36 sections, each covering one square mile. A quarter section is a division of a section, consisting of 160 acres of land. In other words, a quarter section is a quarter of a square mile.

Guide meridians play a crucial role in ensuring accurate land division and measurement. These meridians are established at regular intervals and serve as reference lines for surveying and mapping land. They run north to south and help maintain consistent spacing and orientation for the township boundaries and section lines.

Quarter sections are represented using a standardized notation system. For example, a legal description could state that a property is located in the “SE ¼ of Section 10, Township 3 North, Range 2 West.” This description indicates that the property is situated in the southeast quarter of a specific section within a particular township and range.

Using Townships to Determine Location on a Map

To determine the location of a property on a map using townships, start by locating the desired township number on the map. Once the township is identified, it can be divided into sections. Each section is one square mile in size and is numbered accordingly.

To further pinpoint the location of the property within the section, quarter sections are used. Each section can be divided into four quarters, with each quarter being approximately 160 acres in size. By understanding the township and section numbers, along with the concept of quarter sections, the property’s location within the township can be determined.

How Townships are Used for Government Surveys

Standardized Surveying System for Land Records Keeping

The standardized surveying system used for land records keeping is an essential component of the Government Survey System, also known as the Rectangular Survey System. This system was established to accurately locate and describe properties in the field of real estate.

The purpose of this system is to provide a consistent and uniform framework for mapping and describing land parcels. It allows for precise identification of property boundaries, ensuring transparency and accuracy in legal descriptions.

Range Lines and Townships

Range lines play a crucial role in the township survey system by intersecting township lines to create a grid system for property location. They are imaginary lines that run north-south and are perpendicular to the baselines.

The purpose of range lines is to establish a consistent and organized method of identifying and locating properties within a township. They create a grid system that divides the township into columns, enabling precise property descriptions and legal boundaries.

Range lines intersect township lines at regular intervals, typically every 6 miles, forming squares known as townships. These intersecting points serve as reference points for mapping and property location. Each township is then further divided into smaller sections.

Square Mile Units (Township/Range)

In the township/range system, a survey township is typically six by six miles square, totaling 36 square miles or 23,040 acres. This square mile unit is an essential component of the system used to identify and describe properties within a specific area.

When referencing properties within this system, the concept of townships and ranges comes into play. For example, a property description might include the notation “Township 4 North, Range 2 East.” This means that the property is located within the fourth township north of a designated base line and the second range east of a designated principal meridian.

Within a survey township, there are 36 one-square-mile sections. These sections are numbered from 1 to 36, typically starting in the northeast corner and following a specific pattern. Each section measures one mile on each side, resulting in a total of 640 acres per section.

FAQ – What is Township in Real Estate

1. What is a township in real estate?

A township is a 6×6 mile area used to map and describe property locations.

2. What is the history of the township survey system?

The system started in the 18th century to divide and distribute land efficiently in the U.S.

3. Why are townships important in real estate?

They help accurately locate and describe properties for transactions.

4. What does a township’s legal description include?

It includes lines and points that form a grid to identify property boundaries.

5. What are quarter sections and guide meridians?

They are parts of the land division system, dividing townships into smaller sections for precise mapping.

6. How do townships help in property location?

They use a grid system to describe and locate properties within specific areas.