California Real Estate Practice Exam

Which type of real estate ownership description speaks of property according to boundaries and measurements?

1. Lot and block method

2. Metes and bounds method

3. Public lands survey system

4. Rectangular survey system

The correct answer is: Lot and block method

The correct answer is the metes and bounds method. This method involves describing property based on specific measurements, directions, and boundaries that specify the shape and extent of a parcel of land. It utilizes physical landmarks, angles, and distances to define and communicate the exact boundaries of a property. Metes refer to the measurements of the boundary lines, which can involve linear distances in feet or meters, while bounds refer to the direction and linear features that make up the boundary, such as rivers, roads, or established markers. This system is flexible and can describe irregularly shaped parcels of land accurately. The lot and block method, on the other hand, is typically used in urban or suburban developments where land is divided into lots and blocks, and relies on a plat map rather than exact measurements. The public lands survey system and the rectangular survey system are both designed for larger tracts of land and are often used in rural areas, dividing land into townships and sections rather than providing a direct boundary description based on measurements.