Easements sound like legal red tape, yet they’re the silent infrastructure that runs your property. Now is a perfect time to stake out future trenches before foliage hides boundaries and contractors get booked. Whether you’re tapping municipal water or partnering with neighbors on fiber, a recorded easement protects both parties long after handshake memories fade. Here’s how to plan, negotiate, and file the right‑of‑way without derailing friendships or timelines.
Trace a Smart Route
Map the straightest, driest corridor that avoids tree roots and future building sites. Keep power and data together five feet from water to meet code and simplify repairs. Plan gentle bends; fiber tolerates 90‑degree sweeps poorly.
Surveyor‑Ready Details
- Metes‑and‑bounds description with bearings to two decimals.
- Permanent stakes every 200 feet and at all angle points.
- Ingress clause spelling out vehicle access for maintenance.
Draft, Sign, Record
Engage an attorney to draw up a concise grant. Include indemnity language and restoration terms. File at the county recorder promptly; unrecorded easements die with ownership changes.
Maintenance Tips
Mow quarterly to deter brush that snags lines.| Photo‑log repairs for neighbor transparency.| Flag easement lines before selling land to avoid closing delays.
Final Thoughts
Clear, well‑recorded easements future‑proof utility upgrades, head off neighbor disputes, and raise property desirability. Invest a little paperwork now, and water, watts, and Wi‑Fi will flow smoothly for decades.