New York state land: survey clauses that stop boundary fights

In upstate New York, buying land can feel straightforward until the neighbors start measuring. Boundary disputes are common where stone walls and old fences don’t match recorded plats. That’s why a land purchase agreement in New York almost always includes a survey clause. Without it, a buyer risks closing on acres that shrink the moment a survey crew shows up.

Counties like Ulster, Dutchess, and Saratoga have long histories of farmland being cut into smaller lots. Roads, streams, and even utility easements often overlap poorly drawn maps. A contract that grants time for a fresh survey and lets the buyer walk away if acreage is short protects everyone. Title insurance companies usually require this step, but only a well-drafted agreement makes it non-negotiable.

In New York, the best land deals start with a tape measure and end with a clause that respects it.