What can I do about an undisclosed property easement that is impeding the sale of my home?
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What can I do about an undisclosed property easement that is impeding the sale of my home?
In 2008 I purchased a brand new site built home on a 1/2 acre . The land has an abandoned well at the far side of the property. We are now trying to sell this property. At the time of our purchase we received a survey of the land and had no problems with any easements. When our buyers received a survey there was a 2500 ft sq easement around the abandoned well on our property line. The neighbor who’s property line is closer to the well than mine does does not have an easement. sale fell through and we are no longer receiving offers as we are disclosing this easement. What can we do?
Asked on August 3, 2011 New Mexico
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
When you pruchased your proprerty, did you receive title insurance for the land? If so, read the preliminary report and the title insurance policy that you received. Is there a reference of the easement in these documents? If so, you should tender the undisclosed easement to your title insurance company to resolve.
If the easement that has now popped up burdening your property has not been used for many years, it might be abandoned. If abandoned, you might be able to file an action against the holder of the easement to have it declared abandoned and clear it from your property's chain of title as a burden upon it.
Consulting with an experienced real estate attorney about the easement issue should be done at this point concerning your options.
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