Hawaii Pre-Licensing National Practice Exam

What type of legal description outlines a property using directions and distances from a specific starting point?

1. Lot and block

2. Metes and bounds

3. Rectangular survey

4. Plat map

The correct answer is: Metes and bounds

The correct answer is metes and bounds because this method of legal description delineates a parcel of land by describing its boundary lines using specific measurements (distances) and directions. This system often starts at a defined point of beginning and follows the perimeter of the property, outlining the distances in feet and the compass direction in degrees, from one point to the next until it closes back at the original point. This approach is particularly useful for irregularly shaped parcels of land where more traditional methods, such as lot and block or rectangular survey, may not provide the necessary detail. Additionally, metes and bounds descriptions can incorporate natural landmarks or constructed features, adding to their specificity. In contrast, the lot and block method refers to properties specifically plotted on a map, assigning them a number and block description within a larger subdivision or development, making it less precise for unique or irregular parcels. The rectangular survey system uses a grid pattern based on meridians and parallels to describe land, which is more applicable in large tracts of land typical in the western United States. A plat map is a visual representation of a property showing the division of land into lots, which might reference a metes and bounds description but does not itself define boundaries.