📍 What Is a Legal Description in Real Estate?

A Legal Description is the precise, legally recognized way of identifying a property’s exact location and boundaries. Unlike a street address, a legal description is used in deeds, contracts, mortgages, and title documents to ensure a property is uniquely and accurately defined.

How a Legal Description Works

A legal description appears on official documents such as deeds, surveys, and title reports. It uses standardized formats—like metes and bounds, lot and block numbers, or government rectangular survey measurements—to describe a property with legal accuracy.

Three common types of legal descriptions:

  • Metes and Bounds — describes property using directions, distances, landmarks, and boundary lines.
  • Lot and Block — references a subdivision map with numbered lots and blocks.
  • Rectangular Survey System — uses townships, ranges, and sections (primarily in western states).

These descriptions ensure there is no ambiguity about the property being transferred or encumbered.

Why a Legal Description Matters

For Buyers:

  • Ensures the exact land being purchased is correctly identified.
  • Helps verify property boundaries through surveys and title records.
  • Prevents disputes over where the property begins and ends.

For Sellers:

  • Required for deeds, contracts, and closing documents.
  • Prevents errors that could delay closing or cause title problems.
  • Ensures accurate transfer of ownership with no boundary confusion.

Example of a Legal Description

Here are common formats of legal descriptions:

  • Lot and Block: “Lot 14, Block 2, Sunrise Estates Subdivision, according to the plat recorded in Plat Book 5, Page 22.”
  • Metes and Bounds: “Beginning at the oak tree on the north property line… thence south 150 feet…”
  • Rectangular Survey: “The NE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 8, Township 4 North, Range 2 West.”

Each version provides a legally recognized, precise method to identify the land being conveyed.

Why Legal Descriptions Matter for FSBO Sellers

FSBO sellers often rely on documents like the current deed or property tax bill for the legal description. Using an incorrect or incomplete legal description can cause delays or prevent the buyer’s title company from issuing a clear title.

  • Ensures the contract and deed describe the correct property.
  • Avo ids closing delays caused by inaccurate or missing descriptions.
  • Helps buyers verify boundaries before closing.
  • Improves accuracy when listing with Flat Fee MLS.

Always pull the legal description from the most recent recorded deed to avoid mistakes.

🔗 Related Resources for Buyers & Sellers

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find my legal description?
On the most recent recorded deed, title report, or property tax bill.

Is a street address a legal description?
No. Street addresses can change and do not legally define property boundaries.

Can a legal description be wrong?
Yes. Older deeds, typos, or outdated surveys may contain errors that must be corrected.

Do buyers need a survey?
Not always, but it’s recommended for verifying boundaries and avoiding disputes.