A Guide to the Location Survey Process
When buying or refinancing a home in Ohio or Indiana, lenders and title companies often request a Mortgage Location Survey (in Ohio) or a Surveyor Location Report or SLR (in Indiana). These reports may cost as little as $230, but they can be invaluable in saving deals, identifying issues, and offering peace of mind to all parties involved.
But what exactly are these reports and how long do they take?
- Typical turnaround time: 2–3 business days
- Average cost: Around $230
- Used by: Lenders, title companies, buyers, sellers, and real estate agents
A Mortgage Location or SLR is a limited-scope land survey that helps title companies and lenders issue title insurance by mapping legal descriptions to real property and identifying encroachments and improvements. It’s one of the most cost-effective tools to prevent real estate transaction delays.
Commonly Asked Questions About Location Surveys:
- How long does a Mortgage Location take in Ohio?
- What is required for an SLR in Indiana?
- Is a Mortgage Location or SLR legally binding?
- Why does my title company require this?
In this guide, we’ll walk through each step of the Location Survey process, show you what’s included, and explain why it’s one of the best investments you can make during closing.
What Is a Location Survey?
A Location Survey is a limited-scope survey used in real estate transactions to show the placement of visible improvements—such as houses, garages, fences, or sheds—in relation to the legal property boundaries.
- It’s not a full boundary survey
- It’s used for underwriting title insurance
- It’s sufficient for identifying issues like encroachments, easement conflicts, or setback violations
In Ohio, this is referred to as a Mortgage Location. In Indiana, it’s known as a Surveyor Location Report (SLR). At McSteen, we do both.
How Long Does a Mortgage Location or SLR Take?
At McSteen, most Mortgage Locations and SLRs are completed in 2–3 business days, thanks to our in-house Survey Tracker system and an experienced, responsive team.
Fast closings require fast, accurate data. And we’ve built our workflow to support that.
Step-by-Step: How a Mortgage Location or SLR Gets Completed
Despite the quick turnaround, there are many hands and quality checks that go into each survey.
- Sales – While not part of the technical process, our client-centered sales team builds and maintains the relationships that power this whole machine.
- Order Entry – Everything starts here. Accurate order info means fewer issues down the line. If the parcel number or legal description is off, it slows everything else down.
- Research – Before anyone steps foot on-site, our researchers dig into public records and previous surveys. This foundational work helps our field crews know what to look for and what could be missing.
- Routing – Our operations team ensures that the right surveyor gets the right job. Efficient routing supports faster turnaround and better resource use.
- Field – Here’s the part people picture: a McSteen surveyor, on-site, gathering data. It’s not just about accuracy—it’s about professionalism, visibility, and documenting everything clearly for drafting.
- Drafting – Our drafters take the puzzle pieces—order info, legal description, field notes—and turn them into a clean, clear report. If something doesn’t make sense? They stop and ask. Every detail matters.
- Review – Every survey goes through final review to ensure it meets both State of Ohio/Indiana standards and our McSteen Standard. Only then is it released to the client.
- Customer Service – Every touchpoint—from email questions to closing-day clarifications—runs through our communication hub. This team works directly with title, lenders, and homeowners to ensure clarity and responsiveness.
Why a Location Survey is Worth the Cost
When you break it down, that $230 survey isn’t just a map. It’s:
- 8+ departments and experts
- Multiple quality control checks
- Peace of mind on an individual’s largest investment – their home
And most importantly: it’s your safety net. It helps protect buyers, sellers, lenders, and title companies from post-closing surprises like fence disputes, access issues, or encroachments that could cost thousands.
What If the Survey Finds an Issue?
If a McSteen Mortgage Location or SLR flags an encroachment, setback violation, or other concern:
- We alert the ordering party with clear notes on our finished drawing.
- You may be advised to get a full Boundary Survey for legal clarity.
- The title company may issue or remove endorsements or delay closing until the issue is resolved.
We believe transparency is protection, and we make sure our clients know what’s going on before it becomes a dealbreaker.
Who Needs a Location Survey?
- Title Companies & Lenders – often require it to issue title insurance
- Real Estate Agents – to support smoother closings
- Homeowners – especially when refinancing or buying property
- Buyers & Sellers – for peace of mind
If no current survey is on file, title insurance may exclude key coverage unless a new Mortgage Location or SLR is obtained.
Why Choose McSteen
For more than 50 years, we’ve been helping Ohio and Indiana close deals with confidence. Here’s why we’re trusted:
- 2–3 day turnaround
- Coverage across all of Ohio and Indiana
- Licensed, experienced surveyors
- Survey Tracker technology
- Friendly, real-people support
- Reasonable, tiered pricing, without hidden fees
- Clear, accurate results every time
Whether you need a Mortgage Location in Ohio or an SLR in Indiana, we make it simple, fast, and dependable.