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Complete glossary lessonNational exam concept

Metes and bounds

Metes and bounds is a legal-description method that traces a parcel's boundary using directions, distances, monuments, and a point of beginning, then closes by returning to that point.

Official area

Property Ownership

Knowledge cluster

Legal descriptions

Learning sequence

Define, distinguish, apply, retrieve

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Exam purpose

Recognize the rule, then reject the nearest look-alike.

Georgia lens

Apply the state distinction only when the facts call for it.

Connected terms

Connected to 4 terms and one official content area.

What does Metes and bounds mean in real estate?

Metes and bounds is a legal-description method that traces a parcel's boundary using directions, distances, monuments, and a point of beginning, then closes by returning to that point.

How is Metes and bounds different from the closest exam answer?

Metes and bounds follows boundary calls. Lot and block refers to a recorded subdivision plat, while the rectangular survey system uses principal meridians, baselines, townships, and ranges.

What is the Georgia-specific rule?

Metes-and-bounds descriptions are common in Georgia records. Physical and natural monuments can be important when calls conflict, but the exam focus is identifying the method.

Worked exam example

Scenario

A deed begins at an iron pin, runs north 220 feet to a creek, follows the creek, and returns through stated courses to the starting pin.

Decision rule

Metes and bounds follows boundary calls. Lot and block refers to a recorded subdivision plat, while the rectangular survey system uses principal meridians, baselines, townships, and ranges.

What is the most common exam trap?

Trap correction

A street address or tax parcel number helps identify property but is not automatically a sufficient legal description.

Memory cue: A street address or tax parcel number helps identify property but is not automatically a sufficient legal description.

Original exam check

Apply the definition

Which statement correctly explains Metes and bounds?

Mastery tracker

Do not mark this term complete until you can retrieve it.

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Related terms to learn next

Lot and block

Lot and block is a legal-description method that identifies a parcel by its lot and block numbers within a named subdivision and refers to a recorded plat for boundaries and dimensions.

Rectangular survey system

The rectangular survey system, also called the government survey system, describes land through principal meridians, baselines, townships, ranges, sections, and fractional parts of sections.

Deed

A deed is a written instrument by which a grantor conveys an interest in real property to a grantee.

Recordation

Recordation is filing an eligible real estate instrument in the appropriate public land records so it becomes part of the chain of title and provides the notice and priority effects given by law.

Recommended next complete lesson

Continue with Property Ownership complete lesson. It places this term inside the full rule, worked examples, exam traps, and mixed practice required for mastery.
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Metes and bounds quick answers

Facts checked against the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin and GREC sources. Editorial standards.

What is Metes and bounds?

Metes and bounds is a legal-description method that traces a parcel's boundary using directions, distances, monuments, and a point of beginning, then closes by returning to that point.

What is Metes and bounds commonly confused with?

Metes and bounds follows boundary calls. Lot and block refers to a recorded subdivision plat, while the rectangular survey system uses principal meridians, baselines, townships, and ranges.

How does Georgia treat Metes and bounds?

Metes-and-bounds descriptions are common in Georgia records. Physical and natural monuments can be important when calls conflict, but the exam focus is identifying the method.