Anybody can record a deed. Anybody can write a description.

Attorneys for example, frequently write property descriptions without benefit of a survey. Surveyors sometimes write descriptions according to information of record. So keep in mind that the property lines may not be accurately defined on your property.

A property boundary survey is an opinion (based on education, training and experience) of the location of the property boundary on the ground, in relationship to adjoining properties or to government land office corners and lines.

Survey Marks and Monuments: These are not necessarily property corners! Many times the points you see on the ground do not reflect the corners or boundaries of the properties. An iron pipe, stake, etc., may mark the beginning or end of a curve of a road. The cross you may see chiseled on a concrete curb is almost never the boundary mark or corner. Generally the cross is a mark extending the lot line in a subdivision to the street. The actual property boundary is likely 10-14 feet back of the curb (probably in your yard).

Easements: Not all the easements may be shown on your plat. Your property may be encumbered by a utility easement, a forgotten road, an encroaching driveway, or even something as remote as a view easement. All easements however must be recorded to be enforceable. Your title policy should make reference to recorded easements.

Maps: A map of ownership is not a plat. These are generally tax assessment maps showing ownership of property. The property lines shown on the maps may not be the lot lines of a recorded plat, and you should not make the mistake of representing a parcel shown on the tax map as representing the lot of record; it may or may not.