ALTA Survey
When buying or refinancing properties, a lender or buyer may require that you purchase an ALTA/ACSM survey as part of the title insurance. Commonly referred to as just an "ALTA Survey" it is a surveying standard jointly accepted by the American Land Title Association and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping that incorporates elements of a boundary survey, mortgage survey, and topographic survey. The minimum standard requirements including a table of optional items that can be requested are available here. A properly completed ALTA survey is one of the most complex and potentially litigious surveys requested, sometimes taking weeks to complete and with a cost corresponding to the assumed liabilities.