California Real Estate Broker ExaminationPropertyEasy
A buyer is reviewing a property description that includes specific measurements and directions, starting from a known point of beginning, following boundary lines, and enclosing a parcel of land. Which type of legal description is being used?
- ALot and Block
- BAssessor's Parcel Number (APN)
- CMetes and Bounds
- DGovernment Survey System
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Metes and Bounds
Metes and Bounds descriptions use monuments, courses (directions), and distances (bounds) to define property boundaries, starting and ending at a specific point of beginning.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Lot and Block descriptions refer to a recorded subdivision plat map, not individual measurements.
- B. An Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) is for tax purposes and is not a legal description of boundaries.
- D. The Government Survey System (Rectangular Survey) uses townships and sections, not specific boundary measurements from a point of beginning.
Metes and Bounds
A legal description method that describes land by designating its boundaries in terms of courses (directions) and distances from a point of beginning.
- Uses monuments, courses, and distances.
- Starts and ends at a 'Point of Beginning' (POB).
- Commonly used for irregular parcels and in older areas.
Memory trick: Metes and Bounds: Measure the 'M'arkers and 'B'oundaries.