Closing delays aren’t just inconvenient; they can erode trust.
As a title professional, your reputation rests on delivering clear title and a smooth closing. Lenders, realtors, and homeowners are counting on you to make it happen. But even the most organized file can stall if a survey reveals last-minute surprises.
That’s why title companies across Ohio and Indiana rely on surveys— like Mortgage Locations in Ohio or Surveyor Location Reports (SLRs) in Indiana —to prevent last-minute surprises before underwriting approval or policy issuance. When ordered early, these surveys provide clarity, confirm compliance, and give your team time to address potential risks without throwing off the timeline.
At McSteen, we’ve helped thousands of title companies, lenders, and homeowners across all 88 Ohio counties and 24 Indiana counties stay on track. We know where delays start and how to prevent them.
Indiana counties served: Bartholomew, Brown, Boone, Hamilton, Madison, Delaware, Randolph, Hendricks, Marion, Hancock, Henry, Wayne, Morgan, Johnson, Shelby, Rush, Fayette, Union, Decatur, Franklin, Ripley, Dearborn, Ohio, and Switzerland.
5 Ways Land Surveys Help You Stay on Track
Surveys do more than identify problems—they buy you time to fix them. Here’s how ordering a Mortgage Location or SLR early in the process can prevent delays at closing.
1. Spot Encroachments Early (Like a Fence or Garage Over the Property Line)
If a structure—like a fence, shed, or garage—crosses the legal property boundary, that’s an encroachment. These are a common red flag in Mortgage Locations and SLRs.
Why it can cause delays:
- The lender or title company may pause the deal to evaluate risk
- The encroachment might require removal, legal agreements, or additional endorsements
How to avoid it:
Order your survey early. At McSteen, we typically deliver Mortgage Locations and SLRs within 2–3 business days, thanks to our in-house Survey Tracker system.
2. Confirm Easement or Setback Compliance
Easements are legal rights that give others (like utility companies) access to parts of your land. Setbacks are minimum distances from property lines where structures cannot be built.
Common examples:
- Garages or porches inside a utility easement
- Sheds or additions violating local setback requirements
Why it matters:
- You may need permits, variances, or structural changes
- Title companies may exclude these issues from the policy
3. Ensure Legal Description Accuracy
Title companies use the legal description to confirm property ownership and boundaries. A land survey verifies the property transferring matches what’s recorded, reducing liability for all parties.
Why it matters:
- Mismatches increase liability
- Lenders may pause to investigate
- Corrections take time and coordination
At McSteen, we flag these issues early and work closely with title teams to get them resolved before underwriting is affected.
4. Documents All Improvements
Unpermitted structures—like patios, additions, or detached garages—might not show up in county records but will appear on your survey. This prevents surprises during underwriting and supports full disclosure at closing.
Why it matters:
- Helps avoid confusion at closing
- Ensures buyers and lenders have full disclosure
- Prevents policy exclusions for undocumented features
Pro tip: Sellers could consider ordering a new survey before listing, especially if recent improvements were made.
5. Provide Valid, Up-to-Date Survey Data
Sometimes, buyers or sellers try to reuse an old survey to save money. But if that survey is out of date or missing required details, it can’t be used for closing. A new survey avoids last-minute rejections and supports policy issuance without delay.
Why it matters:
- Increases the risk of a delayed closing
- May lead to emergency reorders or exceptions
- Reduces confidence in title coverage
Avoid it: Use a professional surveyor like McSteen to provide a fresh, lender-approved Mortgage Location or SLR—customized for title review.
Why Title Companies Choose McSteen
- 2–3 day turnaround on Mortgage Locations and SLRs
- Full coverage in Ohio and 24 Indiana counties
- Real-time updates via our proprietary Survey Tracker
- Responsive, experienced support that understands title workflows
- Over 50 years serving title companies, lenders, and underwriters
We make your job easier so you can focus on what matters – closing with confidence.
Working with McSteen helps you:
- Protect client relationships – Keep your partners and clients confident in your ability to close on time.
- Reduce risk – Prevent liability from survey-related claims.
- Streamline workflow – Clean surveys make it easy for underwriters to approve.
- Enhance your brand – Consistent, smooth closings build long-term trust with your referral partners.
For Home Buyers: Why This Matters to You
If you’re buying a home in Ohio or Indiana, you might hear your lender or title company request a “Mortgage Location” or “SLR.”
Here’s why that’s good news for you:
- Confirms the house and any improvements (like fences or garages) are built where they’re supposed to be
- Helps prevent title issues that could affect your ownership down the road
- Gives peace of mind that the property you’re buying is clearly defined and properly insured
Don’t skip the survey just to save a few dollars, especially if the seller provides an outdated version. A current survey protects your investment from day one.
FAQs – What People Ask About Surveys and Closings
Do I need a Mortgage Location or SLR to close on a home in Ohio or Indiana?
Yes. Most lenders and title companies require them to issue title insurance and confirm there are no encroachments or violations.
How much time should I allow for a survey before closing?
Order it as soon as the purchase agreement is signed. McSteen typically delivers within 2–3 business days.
Can a bad survey result kill the deal?
Yes. If major issues are found (like encroachments), it can derail the transaction if not resolved quickly.
Ready to Keep Your Closing on Track?
We work with top title companies, real estate attorneys, and mortgage lenders throughout Ohio and Central Indiana.
To make every transaction seamless, with no surprises at the closing table. Get a Free Quote today.