Written by Gurjit Ghai, REALTOR®
Rexara Realty Inc.·Published: October 9, 2026·Buying Farmland
A property survey is not always required to close, but on farmland it is one of the most valuable due-diligence tools you can get, because boundary issues on rural acreage are common and expensive. A survey confirms the actual parcel boundaries, identifies encroachments — a neighbour's fence, a driveway, a building — and reveals whether the legal description matches what is on the ground.
On ALR land, boundary questions matter even more, because riparian setbacks, septic fields, and building setbacks are all measured from the property line. A parcel where the fence line and the legal boundary do not match can have less usable land than it appears, and an encroachment can become your problem after closing. An older survey may be acceptable, but a survey plan that is decades old may not reflect current conditions.
If there is any doubt about the boundaries, or if the parcel is large, irregular, or unfenced, treat a survey as a due-diligence item before you remove subjects. Read our Due Diligence guide for the broader checklist, and I help clients decide when a fresh survey is worth the cost before the offer goes firm.
Important: This answer is general professional guidance for educational purposes and is not legal, tax, financial or regulatory advice. ALR rules, water licensing, zoning and farm-classification requirements can change and depend on your specific property. Always verify with the relevant BC authorities and qualified professionals before making decisions.
Gurjit Ghai, REALTOR®
Personal Real Estate Corporation
Brokerage: Rexara Realty Inc.
Gurjit Ghai is a BC real estate professional specializing in agricultural land, ALR properties, and farm operations across British Columbia. He helps buyers and sellers navigate water rights, soil capability, farm classification, and the unique due diligence that farmland transactions require.