You and the Mystery of the Missing Metes and Bounds: Unveiling an Illinois Property's Legal Description
Ever stared at a property listing with dollar signs in your eyes, only to be stumped by the legalese lurking beneath the rosy description of a "charming 3-bedroom bungalow"? That, my friend, is the legal description rearing its head. Fear not, intrepid house hunter! This guide will equip you to decipher this cryptic code and become a legal description Indiana Jones (minus the fedora... maybe).
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| How To Find Legal Description Of Property In Illinois |
Where Do Legal Descriptions Hide?
The legal description is basically the property's birth certificate, outlining its exact location and dimensions. It's most commonly found in these secret agent dossiers (or, you know, regular documents):
- Deeds and Mortgages: These bad boys are the gold standard. If you're buying a house, you'll get a copy of the deed, and your mortgage paperwork might have it too.
- Title Commitment: This document, issued by a title company, summarizes the property's ownership history and includes the legal description.
If You Don't Have the Top Secret Files...
No worries, fellow adventurer! Here are some Illinois hideouts where the legal description might be chilling:
- County Recorder of Deeds Office: They're the keepers of property transaction records. You can search their database (or, if you're feeling old school, flip through dusty tomes) for the deed and snag the legal description.
- Property Tax Bill: This might have a shortened version of the legal description. The full version should be linked to it online or available from your county's assessor's office.
Remember: A little detective work can save you a big headache (and potentially a wrong turn that lands you in a neighbor's pool!).
Tip: Reading twice doubles clarity.
Okay, I Found It... But What Does It Mean?
Legal descriptions can be a labyrinth of gobbledygook, but they usually follow a pattern:
- Metes and Bounds: This fancy term refers to property lines described by directions (north, south, east, west) and distances (in feet or meters).
- Government Survey System: Some areas use a grid system based on townships, sections, and lots.
- Plats: These are maps that subdivide a larger piece of land, and the legal description might reference a specific lot within a plat.
Don't panic! If deciphering legalese makes your brain itch, consider hiring a surveyor or title company to translate it for you.
Frequently Asked Mysteries (FAQs):
How to find the legal description of a property in Illinois?
QuickTip: Treat each section as a mini-guide.
Check your deed, mortgage paperwork, or title commitment. If those fail, visit the county recorder's office or search the property tax bill (full description might be online).
How much does it cost to get a legal description?
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It depends! Searching county records might have a small fee, while hiring a surveyor will cost more.
QuickTip: Reading regularly builds stronger recall.
Do I need a legal description to buy a house?
Yes! It ensures you're buying exactly what you think you are.
Is a legal description the same as a property survey?
QuickTip: Revisit posts more than once.
No, a legal description defines the property on paper, while a survey creates a visual map of the property lines.
Can I just use Google Maps to figure out the property lines?
Not recommended. Google Maps is great, but it's not a substitute for a legal description or a proper survey.
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