Those of you who purchased houses in St. Louis City or County:

1. is it worth spending money on spot or stake survey? Do I really need a survey while closing a house?
2. how about home inspections? termite, radon? are there any inspection that you would do before buying a house?

Thank you!

stlurbanist wrote: ↑

Oct 10, 2025

Those of you who purchased houses in St. Louis City or County:

1. is it worth spending money on spot or stake survey? Do I really need a survey while closing a house?
2. how about home inspections? termite, radon? are there any inspection that you would do before buying a house?

Thank you!

Put in a records request with the municipality the house is in. If there was ever any exterior work that needed a permit such as a deck, they may have a survey on file. If it’s a newer house there should be one on file regardless.

Definitely get a general inspection from someone unaffiliated or recommended by either party's realtors, especially your own.  Both parties have a stake in the sale of the home.

Thinking of getting a survey in the city? Don’t bother unless it’s a super oddball property or you already think there’s an issue.

Also: a fence is not an “issue”. The number of times I hear someone say they’re getting a survey of a house they’re offering on because of a fence is ridiculous, particularly because it’s the rare survey I’ve seen where ownership of a city parcel’s fence was clear.

walker wrote: ↑

Oct 10, 2025

Thinking of getting a survey in the city? Don’t bother unless it’s a super oddball property or you already think there’s an issue.

Also: a fence is not an “issue”. The number of times I hear someone say they’re getting a survey of a house they’re offering on because of a fence is ridiculous, particularly because it’s the rare survey I’ve seen where ownership of a city parcel’s fence was clear.

Thank you @walker and @LocalGovSTL . It is 63123 zip code. an unincorporated area. House does have a deck and a fence but there is no fence between this house and neighbors driveway.

Can I still request records as a prospective buyer?

Closing costs are adding up and if I can skip something I want to but not at the risk of spending thousands in future.

Please advise and I appreciate it!

stlurbanist wrote:

walker wrote: ↑

Oct 10, 2025

Thinking of getting a survey in the city? Don’t bother unless it’s a super oddball property or you already think there’s an issue.

Also: a fence is not an “issue”. The number of times I hear someone say they’re getting a survey of a house they’re offering on because of a fence is ridiculous, particularly because it’s the rare survey I’ve seen where ownership of a city parcel’s fence was clear.

Thank you @walker and @LocalGovSTL . It is 63123 zip code. an unincorporated area. House does have a deck and a fence but there is no fence between this house and neighbors driveway.

Can I still request records as a prospective buyer?

Closing costs are adding up and if I can skip something I want to but not at the risk of spending thousands in future.

Please advise and I appreciate it!

A survey will run you $500. You can always get one later down the road, if needed.

I’d definitely recommend sewer and general home inspection. Is your agent not advising any of this or is this a fsbo opportunity?


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stlurbanist wrote: ↑

Oct 10, 2025

walker wrote: ↑

Oct 10, 2025

Thinking of getting a survey in the city? Don’t bother unless it’s a super oddball property or you already think there’s an issue.

Also: a fence is not an “issue”. The number of times I hear someone say they’re getting a survey of a house they’re offering on because of a fence is ridiculous, particularly because it’s the rare survey I’ve seen where ownership of a city parcel’s fence was clear.

Thank you @walker and @LocalGovSTL . It is 63123 zip code. an unincorporated area. House does have a deck and a fence but there is no fence between this house and neighbors driveway.

Can I still request records as a prospective buyer?

Closing costs are adding up and if I can skip something I want to but not at the risk of spending thousands in future.

Please advise and I appreciate it!

You would do the records request through the County if it’s unincorporated.

Dbehrens0111 wrote: ↑

Oct 10, 2025

stlurbanist wrote:

walker wrote: ↑

Oct 10, 2025

Thinking of getting a survey in the city? Don’t bother unless it’s a super oddball property or you already think there’s an issue.

Also: a fence is not an “issue”. The number of times I hear someone say they’re getting a survey of a house they’re offering on because of a fence is ridiculous, particularly because it’s the rare survey I’ve seen where ownership of a city parcel’s fence was clear.

Thank you @walker and @LocalGovSTL . It is 63123 zip code. an unincorporated area. House does have a deck and a fence but there is no fence between this house and neighbors driveway.

Can I still request records as a prospective buyer?

Closing costs are adding up and if I can skip something I want to but not at the risk of spending thousands in future.

Please advise and I appreciate it!

A survey will run you $500. You can always get one later down the road, if needed.  

I’d definitely recommend sewer and general home inspection. Is your agent not advising any of this or is this a fsbo opportunity?


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yes, my agent recommended home inspection but is asking whether i want survey done.

Get another test. 
See how much a radon reduction system might cost.

Worry about lead too.

Get a survey if your lender (if any) requires it. Get a survey if there appears to be an issue of concern. Otherwise, you're probably fine not to get a survey done. But if you do, a simple boundary and improvement survey is pretty cheap. Just be sure to plan for the 3-4 week lead time.

MattnSTL wrote: ↑

Oct 10, 2025

Get a survey if your lender (if any) requires it. Get a survey if there appears to be an issue of concern. Otherwise, you're probably fine not to get a survey done. But if you do, a simple boundary and improvement survey is pretty cheap. Just be sure to plan for the 3-4 week lead time.

Thanks Matt. My mortgage does not require it. What would be an example of "an issue of concern" which would necessitate a survey?

REALTOR here…
Always ask the sellers if they have a survey. If it’s less than X years old title can use it. Get a survey if you want to know where your property line is. Get one if there are any obstacles near the perceived property line. Get a survey of your plan to ever build a fence or driveway near the line because you’ll need one. Get a survey if you want title insurance to cover against any encroachments.
Yes get a building inspection, lateral sewer inspection, termite inspection, radon inspection, and gas inspection.
If radon is high, definitely request a mitigation system be put in. These days they run about a grand. Radon is cancer causing so you’d be a fool not to test for it and remediate it when it’s high.

As someone who has bought quite a few houses, yes I’d get a survey. Otherwise any encroachment issues are on you to manage later vs dealing with them during the transaction. And yes fences can absolutely be an issue, if you don’t know where your lot line is and a fence is near it but not on it, then you may end up with an adverse possession problem if you end up with “that” neighbor.


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tztag wrote: ↑

Oct 15, 2025

As someone who has bought quite a few houses, yes I’d get a survey.  Otherwise any encroachment issues are on you to manage later vs dealing with them during the transaction.  And yes fences can absolutely be an issue, if you don’t know where your lot line is and a fence is near it but not on it, then you may end up with an adverse possession problem if you end up with “that” neighbor.


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Thank you! Can I do it after the fact? Do I need to go with spot or stake survey?

You can but it just has less teeth as you lose out on the pressure on the seller to resolve any issues. I would get a boundary survey (the more expensive one) and if there are encroachments then it’s important that you document them in writing to any affected neighbors so they can’t claim adverse possession of your property later. (This was advice from multiple realtors, I’m not a realtor or lawyer)


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