Certified Residential Appraiser Practice Exam

How should one read a Rectangular Survey description?

1. From left to right

2. By reversing and sectioning it off

3. In a straight line

4. In clusters of squares

The correct answer is: By reversing and sectioning it off

The correct approach to reading a Rectangular Survey description involves reversing and sectioning it off. This method allows one to understand the layout and organization of the land based on its divisions and boundaries, which are typically organized into townships and sections. By breaking down the description into manageable parts, you can visualize how these sections fit together in relation to each other, making it easier to determine the layout of the property. The structure of Rectangular Surveys, established by the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), often necessitates this technique because the descriptions typically start from a central point (like a specific meridian and baseline) and describe how to navigate through the subdivisions. This can include references to sections, townships, and ranges, revealing how they interconnect. Therefore, reversing and sectioning off the description logically supports the way boundaries are drawn and facilitates a clearer understanding of the geographic layout involved in land appraisal.