Texas Property Tax Consultant Practice Exam

Which method is used to describe the boundaries of a parcel of land?

1. The surveyor's sketch

2. Metes and bounds

3. A legal description

4. Land plots

The correct answer is: Metes and bounds

The method used to describe the boundaries of a parcel of land is known as metes and bounds. This technique provides a detailed and accurate description of the property by defining its boundaries using specific physical features, distances, and angles. The term "metes" refers to the measurements of the boundary lines (usually expressed in feet or meters), while "bounds" refers to the physical features that make up the boundaries such as trees, rivers, or landmarks. Metes and bounds descriptions are especially useful for irregularly shaped parcels of land as they can convey complex boundaries in a clear and understandable way. This method is often used in areas where land parcels do not conform to standard geometric shapes, showcasing its flexibility in land description. While other options like the surveyor's sketch, legal description, and land plots are related concepts, they serve different purposes in real estate and land descriptions. The surveyor's sketch visually represents the parcel but does not constitute the actual method of boundary description. A legal description, on the other hand, can be a broader term that encompasses various methods, including metes and bounds. Land plots typically refer to mapped areas of land, rather than the specific descriptive method used for defining boundaries.