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Accessing Parcel Information with GIS

Tyler Van Meeteren and Carrie Biney
September 25, 2017

When most of our Land Professionals first started in this business, the only way to map a property was to have boots on the ground and visit the local county offices to view plats, surveys, and ownership history. Land agents and individuals looking to buy land had to put in a lot of work to access basic information on a certain property.

Fortunately, those days are long gone as local, state, and federal sources have made this information more accessible. Parcel information that was once limited to plat books or engineering plans is now digitized, and technology has evolved to allow integration of this information with mapping systems. The amount of data you can access now is nearly infinite.

Today, we still have agents walking properties to glean all the details that can only be seen with the experienced eye. But with the advancement of GIS technology and the wealth of parcel information that is now more readily available, we can see aerial views and pertinent data about the property from the comfort of the office. And as the client, so can you.

In the plat book, we can locate a property, but little else is learned. Using GIS, we are able to see an aerial view of the property and its boundaries, as well as implement data layers such as soils.
In the plat book, we can locate a property, but little else is learned. Using GIS, we are able to see an aerial view of the property and its boundaries, as well as implement data layers such as soils.

This evolution of GIS technology has allowed us to find the proverbial needle in a haystack and has dramatically changed the landscape of the land industry. At NLR, our GIS technology integrates maps with data layers, allowing agents and clients to preview a property from their office or home. This also means that we can create a mapping platform that is built to the client’s exact specifications.

For example, we can preview a property and see if there are wetlands or flood zones, how steep of a slope is present, and if there are water sources on the property. We can run an analysis on the soils that are present to determine what type of timber or crops grows best there. Do you want to find a parcel within 20 miles of the country seat, at least 75 acres, that has a mild slope and a water source? We can do that, too! In fact, we do – every day.

On the left is a survey of a property and on the right, is the same property today, as seen aerially and with wetlands and flood risk layers included. Notice how the owner has added surrounding land since it was first surveyed, something you wouldn't necessarily see or know if you used only a dated survey or plat book.
On the left is a survey of a property and on the right, is the same property today, as seen aerially and with wetlands and flood risk layers included. Notice how the owner has added surrounding land since it was first surveyed, something you wouldn’t necessarily see or know if you used only a dated survey or plat book.

Instead of hiring an outside acquisition team during your property search, our in-house GIS team quickly responds to your request by taking the data and streamlining the process for you. What this leads to is buyers and sellers alike making more informed decisions, and agents providing their clients with optimal properties to choose from. This is why we like to say when you choose NLR, you’re choosing a full-service land brokerage firm.

About the Author
Tyler Van Meeteren is the GIS Director for National Land Realty. He has over 13 years of GIS experience in the land industry working with GPS/GIS mapping products and services including data collection, project management and spatial analysis. In his role as GIS Director, Tyler builds innovative, flexible and easy-to-use GIS solutions for agents and clients around the country. His areas of expertise include strategic planning, excellent communication skills and developing solid client relations. - Carrie joined National Land Realty in November 2014 after 11 years with the State of North Carolina, where she worked extensively with facilities & planning support and communications. As the Director of Data Services, Carrie's primary focus points are the nationwide procurement and management of GIS and sales data, the development and implementation of procurement and validation processes, project site analysis, and as a collaborator with the Director of GIS.

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