A legal description that reads 'Beginning at the southwest corner of the SE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 12, Township 3 North, Range 2 West...' is an example of which type of legal description system?
Correct Answer
B) Rectangular (government) survey
The reference to sections, townships, and ranges is characteristic of the rectangular (government) survey system, which divides land into townships and sections based on principal meridians and baselines.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
The description contains the key elements of the rectangular survey system: sections, townships, and ranges. The phrase 'SE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 12, Township 3 North, Range 2 West' follows the exact format of this system, which describes land by its location within a specific section of a township. The directional references (North, West) and the fractional divisions (1/4) are characteristic features of how the rectangular survey system subdivides land into smaller parcels.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: Metes and bounds
Metes and bounds descriptions use natural and artificial landmarks, compass directions, and distances (like 'beginning at the large oak tree, then north 45 degrees east for 200 feet'). This system does not reference sections, townships, or ranges.
Option C: Lot and block (plat)
Lot and block descriptions reference recorded subdivision plats and would read something like 'Lot 15, Block 3, Sunset Subdivision.' They do not use sections, townships, or ranges.
Option D: Torrens system
The Torrens system is a method of land registration that provides government-guaranteed title, not a method of legal description. It focuses on title registration rather than property boundary description.
STR Memory Aid
Remember 'STR' - Sections, Townships, Ranges = Rectangular survey system. When you see these three elements together, it's always the rectangular (government) survey system.
How to use: When reading a legal description, scan for the keywords 'Section,' 'Township,' and 'Range.' If all three appear, immediately identify it as rectangular survey system, regardless of other details in the description.
Exam Tip
Look for the specific terminology: if you see 'Section,' 'Township,' and 'Range' in a legal description, it's automatically the rectangular survey system - don't overthink it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- -Confusing metes and bounds with rectangular survey when both mention directions
- -Not recognizing fractional descriptions (like 1/4) as part of rectangular survey
- -Thinking lot and block can include township references
Concept Deep Dive
Analysis
This question tests knowledge of legal description systems used in real estate to identify property boundaries and locations. The rectangular survey system, also known as the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), was established by the Land Ordinance of 1785 to systematically divide and describe land in the United States. It uses a grid system based on principal meridians (north-south lines) and baselines (east-west lines) to create townships, which are further divided into 36 sections of one square mile each. Each section can be further subdivided into quarters and smaller fractions, creating precise legal descriptions.
Background Knowledge
Legal descriptions are essential for property identification and must be precise enough to distinguish one property from all others. The rectangular survey system covers about 30 states, primarily in the western United States, and was designed to create an orderly method of land distribution as the country expanded westward.
Real-World Application
Appraisers frequently encounter rectangular survey descriptions when appraising rural properties, agricultural land, or properties in western states. Understanding this system is crucial for locating comparable sales and determining exact property boundaries for area calculations.
More Property Description Questions
Property zoned as R-2 typically allows for:
In the rectangular survey system, a section contains how many acres?
Which property right includes the right to receive rental income from a tenant-occupied property?
A property is located in a 100-year flood zone. This means the property has what probability of flooding in any given year?
In a metes and bounds description, the term 'metes' refers to:
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