What Is an Easement in Real Estate?

An easement in real estate is a legal right that allows someone else to use a portion of your property for a specific purpose — such as access, utilities, or shared driveways. Easements can affect property value and what you can do with your land, making them important to understand before selling or buying a home.

✅ What an Easement Means for Property Owners

Easements give another person or entity limited rights to use part of your land. You still own the property, but you can’t block the easement’s intended use. Common examples include:

  • Utility easement: allows companies to run power lines, water, or sewer lines through your land.
  • Access easement: gives a neighbor or nearby property owner the right to cross your land for access.
  • Drainage or shared driveway easement: covers shared access or runoff between adjoining properties.

Most easements are recorded in the property deed and remain in place even when ownership changes.

💡 Common Types of Easements

  • Appurtenant Easement: Tied to the land itself and transfers with property ownership.
  • Easement in Gross: Benefits a company or person (like a utility provider), not another property.
  • Prescriptive Easement: Created through long-term, continuous use without formal permission.

Sellers should disclose any easements on the property since they can affect future use or improvements.

📍 Easements and FSBO Sellers

If you’re selling For Sale By Owner (FSBO), it’s wise to review your deed or survey for any easements before listing. Buyers and title companies will ask about them during escrow, so being transparent early helps avoid delays at closing.

When you list your property on the MLS through Brokerless, our team ensures all required property details — including easements — are disclosed properly to attract serious, qualified buyers.