Buying a home is one of life’s biggest decisions — and most people assume that everything about the property is straightforward once the sale closes. But when a residential land survey is skipped, homeowners can run into unexpected problems that affect fences, driveways, gardens, and even legal boundaries. Many people take title commitments and deeds at face value, only to discover later that property lines differ from what they imagined. This article explores real‑world issues that arise when a survey is overlooked, why a residential land survey matters, and how one protects your investment before it’s too late. The “It’s Fine, We Didn’t Need a Survey” Mindset A typical home‑buying checklist includes inspections for pests, foundations, and roof conditions — but sometimes the land itself gets overlooked. After all, if the property looks flat and square on the deed, how different could it really be? Quite different, as many homeowners report: “We put up a new fence — now it’s half on ...