Certified Residential Appraiser Practice Exam

What does "metes and bounds" refer to in legal descriptions?

1. A method based on population density

2. A system that describes land using distances and angles

3. A type of real estate finance

4. A legal agreement for buying property

The correct answer is: A system that describes land using distances and angles

"Metes and bounds" is a method used to describe land in a legal context, specifically focusing on the boundaries and measurements of a property. This system delineates the perimeter of a parcel of land using specific distances (metes) and directions or angles (bounds). This method is particularly useful for irregularly shaped plots of land because it can provide a detailed and precise description of the property's limits based on physical features and landmarks, rather than relying solely on a basic grid system. By using known points of reference in conjunction with distances and angles, metes and bounds allow surveyors and property owners to clearly define property lines and ensure accurate property descriptions for transaction and ownership purposes. In contrast, the other options do not pertain directly to the established method of describing legal property boundaries. For instance, a method based on population density does not relate to land description. Similarly, real estate finance encompasses financial aspects of transactions, while a legal agreement for buying property refers to contracts rather than boundary delineation. Therefore, the focus on distances and angles makes option B the correct description of "metes and bounds."