Chapter 4- Book Quiz (plus)

A monument is used in which type of legal description?

• Lot and block

• Metes and bounds

• Rectangular survey

• Street address

Answer explanation

The answer is metes and bounds. The term monument refers to a fixed, unchanging reference point used to locate the point of beginning (POB) for a specific parcel of real estate. A monument is critical for creating an accurate metes and bounds legal description. (p. 56-57)

An acre contains

• 43,260 square feet

• 43,560 square feet

• 46,560 square feet

• 43,460 square feet

Answer explanation

The answer is 43,560 square feet. An acre is an area of land containing 43,560 square feet. A parcel measuring 208.71 feet by 208.71 feet would be a one acre parcel. (p. 62)

A description meets the standard of being legally sufficient if a

• Buyer can identify the property by the property address.

• Title company certifies the description.

• Competent surveyor can locate the parcel using the description.

• Real estate licensee can locate the parcel.

Answer explanation

The answer is competent surveyor can locate the parcel using the description. Courts require that a description be legally sufficient (i.e., one that a competent surveyor can use to locate the parcel). A street address is not adequate to indicate the precise boundaries. (p. 56)

The point or surface from which elevations are measured is called a

• Datum.

• Monument.

• Benchmark.

• Meridian.

Answer explanation

The answer is datum. A datum is a point, line, or a surface from which elevations are measured or indicated; a datum can be used to determine the height of a structure or to establish the grade of a street. (p. 62)

What system uses a property's physical features to determine boundaries and measurements?

• Rectangular survey system

• Lot-and-block recorded plat system

• Metes-and-bounds method

• Multiple listing service

Answer explanation

The answer is metes-and-bounds method. A metes-and-bounds description relies on physical features of the property to describe its boundaries and is the oldest form of land descriptions. (p. 56)

Which of the following is the BEST way to ensure that there are no encroachments and to verify the boundaries of a parcel of land?

• Verify the benchmarks

• Get a spot survey

• Find the monuments

• Write a legal description

Answer explanation

The answer is get a spot survey. The survey sketch shows the location and dimensions of the parcel. When a survey also shows the location, size, and shape of buildings on the lot it is called a spot survey. (p. 60)

To be valid in a legal description, the survey must allow the surveyor the ability to locate the

• Street address.

• Contours of the land.

• Boundaries of the parcel.

• Benchmarks associated with the description.

Answer explanation

The answer is boundaries of the parcel. The legal description is based on information collected through a survey- the process by which boundaries are measured by calculating the dimensions and area to determine the exact location of a piece of land. Courts have stated that a description is legally sufficient if it allows a surveyor to locate the parcel (i.e., to define the exact boundaries of the property). (p. 56)

The owner has a large parcel of land surveyed into lots and streets and files a subdivision plat. Each lot can be legally described by use of which of the following?

• Street address

• Metes and bounds

• Government survey

• Lot and block

Answer explanation

The answer is locked and block. In describing a lot from a recorded subdivision plat, 3 identifiers are used: lot and block number, name or number of the subdivision plat, and the name of the county and states. (p. 59)

What is a detailed way of describing a parcel of land for documents that will be accepted in a court of law?

• Legal description

• Survey

• Defined boundaries

• Street address

Answer explanation

The answer is legal description. A legal description, based on information collected through a survey, it's a detailed way of describing a parcel of land for the documents such as deeds and mortgages that will be accepted in a court of law. (p. 56)

Which of the following is used to measure the elevation of a specific point on a property?

• Contour line

• Datum

• Benchmark

• Meridian