Chapter 5 Massachusetts Legal Descriptions
Methods of Describing Real Estate Massachusetts does not use the rectangular survey system for the description of property. It has been impractical to attempt to change all existing metes-andbounds descriptions, and the land is far too irregular in contour to allow the rectangular survey system to function effectively. In Massachusetts, the land is described using what is called full legal description.
Full Legal Description The full legal description consists of the following three elements: Street or designated address of the property involved Metes-and-bounds description Metes- the distance used in the description Bounds- the directions of the boundaries that enclose the property Monuments- landmarks used as reference points in the description Reference description
Full Legal Description The use of the full legal description depends on a fixed set of boundary markers. Generally, each survey or description will begin at a monument, sometimes called a benchmark, which is a fixed, permanent marker. Then the description proceeds around the property, going from monument to monument. In Massachusetts, monuments are commonly iron pipes, granite blocks, trees, boulders, stone walls, telephone poles, or buildings.
1. Which of the following is NOT an adequate description of land in a deed? a. Street address b. Metes-and-bounds description c. Reference description d. Street address and metes-and-bounds description
a (80) In a deed, a street address alone is not considered a sufficient description of a parcel of land.
2. A metes-and-bounds description will a. return to the point of beginning. b. refer to some other recorded plan. c. have four sides. d. include a street address.
a (80) A metes-and-bounds description starts at a well-marked point of beginning, follows the boundaries of the land, and returns to the point of beginning so that the parcel of land is completely enclosed.
3. The data for a metes-and-bounds description is created by a a. landowner. b. bank attorney. c. licensed surveyor. d. broker.
c (80) A licensed surveyor is the only one qualified to provide the data for a metes-and- bounds description.
Answer questions 4 10 according to the plat of Honey-suckle Hills in Figure 5.1 on page 81. 4. Which lot in Block B has the MOST frontage on Jasmine Lane? a. Lot 9 b. Lot 11 c. Lot 12 d. Lot 13
c (81) Lot 12 with 150 feet has the greatest amount of frontage on Jasmine Lane.
5. How many lots have easements? a. 3 b. 1 c. 4 d. 0
c (81) Lots 1, 14, and 15 on Goodrich Boule- vard and Lot 15 on Jasmine street have utility easements.
6. Which roads run north and south? a. Goodrich and Jasmine b. Wolf and Jasmine c. Carney and Goodrich d. Goodrich and Wolf
c (81) As indicated by the arrow pointing north, both Carney and Goodrich Boulevard run north and south.
7. Which lot in the subdivision has the LEAST frontage on Jasmine Lane? a. Block B, Lot 11 b. Block A, Lot 4 c. Block B, Lot 12 d. Block A, Lot 3
d (81) Block A, Lot 3 has only 30 feet of frontage on Jasmine.
8. Beginning at the intersection of the East line of Goodrich Boulevard and the South line of Jasmine Lane and running South along the East line of Goodrich Boulevard a distance of 230 feet: thence East parallel to the North line of Wolf Road a distance of 195 feet: thence Northeasterly on a course N 220 E a distance of 135 feet: and thence Northwesterly along the South line of Jasmine Lane to the point of beginning. Which lots are described here? a. Lots 13, 14, and 15, Block A b. Lots 9, 10, and 11, Block B c. Lots 1, 2, 3, and 15, Block A d. Lots 7, 8, and 9, Block A
c (81) Lots 1, 2, 3, and 15 on Block A are outlined using a metes-andbounds description.
9. Which lot has the MOST street exposure? a. Lot 15, Block A b. Lot 14, Block B c. Lot 8, Block A d. Lot 9, Block B
c (81) Lot 8, Block A has street exposure on Wolf Road, Carney Street, and Jasmine Lane.
10. Assume that the bold number 15 in the middle of Lot 15 represents the location of a monument. The monument marks the southeast corner of a subdivided parcel. If the parcel is bounded by Goodrich and Lot 1, approximately how many square feet is the subdivided parcel? a. 1,210 square feet b. 2,700 square feet c. 4,500 square feet d. 5,400 square feet
b (81) Based on the description given, the parcel of land described is one fourth of the total lot. The total lot size is 120 ft. 90 ft. = 10,800 sq. ft., and 10,800 4 = 2,700 sq. ft.
10. Which lot in the subdivision has the LEAST frontage on Jasmine Lane? a. Block B, Lot 11 b. Block A, Lot 4 c. Block B, Lot 12 d. Block A, Lot 3 Beginning at the intersection of the East line of Goodrich Boulevard and the South line of Jasmine Lane and running South along the East line of Goodrich Boulevard a distance of 230 feet: thence East parallel to the North line of Wolf Road a distance of 195 feet: thence North- easterly on a course N 220 E a distance of 135 feet: and thence Northwesterly along the South line of Jasmine Lane to the point of beginning. Which lots are described here? a. Lots 13, 14, and 15, Block A b. Lots 9, 10, and 11, Block B c. Lots 1, 2, 3, and 15, Block A d. Lots 7, 8, and 9, Block A Which lot has the MOST street exposure? a. Lot 15, Block A b. Lot 14, Block B c. Lot 8, Block A d. Lot 9, Block B Assume that the bold number 15 in the middle of Lot 15 represents the location of a monument. The monument marks the southeast corner of a subdivided parcel. If the parcel is bounded by Goodrich and Lot 1, approximately how many square feet is the subdivided parcel? a. 1,210 square feet b. 2,700 square feet c. 4,500 square feet d. 5,400 square feet 2. A description metes-and-bounds description will a. return to the point of beginning. b. refer to some other recorded plan. c. have four sides. d. include a street address.
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