Bock & Clark Blog

The New version of the ALTA/NSPS Minimum Standard Detail Requirements has been adopted and accepted by ALTA and NSPS. These new requirements will become effective on February 23, 2021. Learn more.

Learn how to use ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys Optional Table A Items, particularly when Table A Item 21 could be of benefit for your commercial property transaction.

An equity level property condition assessment is a great resource when contemplating the purchase of a property and very useful in maintaining the asset by allowing for proper planning for capital improvement and the associated expenditures.

When considering an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey performed to the most current Minimum Standard Detail Requirements (2016), transaction parties must also weigh the need for any additional Optional Table A Items as part of the scope.

Consistent with ASTM by-laws, the ESA Phase I Standard is now due for review and re-approval. Updates to the E1527 standard are expected to go to a first ballot this fall with a planned new standard publication in late 2020.

In 1962, the first version of the “Minimum Standard Detail Requirements” was adopted and put into effect to standardize the survey product called the ALTA/ACSM Land Title Survey. Over the years, there have been approximately ten revisions to the Minimum Standards. Learn more.

Commercial zoning reports can be completed during a pandemic. Although a small number of municipalities are closed, most planning and development departments across the country are still doing business with many working behind closed doors and/or remotely.

Within the Optional Table A Items for an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey, the definition of Item 21 is blank. It has intentionally been left blank to allow for additional information that a surveyor may be willing to provide if what is being requested is within the surveyor’s limits of expertise. Learn more.

It is now clearly defined that it is up to a professional surveyor’s judgement to address the issue of the integrity of boundary resolution. As a result, the surveyor is required to resolve the surveyed property’s boundary as a part of an ALTA Survey. Learn more.

It is in the best interest of the buyer and the tenant of a commercial property to ensure that a current ESA Phase 1 has been performed for the subject property. Environmental liability is determined by several state and federal statutes that can put the buyer and the tenant at risk if sufficient due diligence is not conducted.