VuMAP Helps Property Research

Save time and money in a few easy steps


If you're a title search specialist, a law clerk, or perform similar property research functions as part of your business, you can use VuMAP, a feature-packed online mapping application with easy to use, built in tools to research property information, compare aerial imagery year over year, and measure, draw and make notes over the map, to save time and money on difficult searches. Follow the step by step example below to see how.

Let's imagine you're investigating a property's history as part of a pending real estate transaction.  You may want to ensure that:

  • there is an unbroken chain of title
  • the property's legal description is complete, up-to-date, and accurate
  • the "as-built" structures match the survey, if any, permit records, and conform to local zoning bylaws
  • all lands are included where multiple PINs make up one property

Your time is valuable and need to deliver accurate, well documented information as fast as possible. You can use VuMAP as a simple map-based tool with high resolution aerial imagery to:

  • Search by PIN, ARN, address, or lot/concession
  • Evaluate locations without leaving the office
  • Make decisions based on facts not guesses
  • Make your work loads more predictable
  • Communicate complex information visually
  • Analyze objective date-stamped records of the past
  • Make accurate measurements of direction, distance, and area
  • Do the same work with less effort 
Related: VuMAP Tool Tips; get a quick overview of the VuMAP toolbox with these 30 second videos

According to the experts, the fastest, easiest way to perform your research is starting with the PIN number.  Here's how you can use VuMAP in day to day research to get PIN numbers quickly, plus gain contextual understanding from high resolution aerial imagery and mapping:

Start with a free trial subscription to VuMAP.

http://vumap.firstbasesolutions.com/index.php


Scenario 1 - No Address

Let's say you're searching a vacation property that doesn't have road access, and therefore, no standard street address.  How do you get the PIN?



Search the lot and concession in the township where you know the property is located based on a written description.  That way you can narrow your search down to just a few properties.


Turn on the Teranet parcel layer to see the boundaries of any PINs. You can also turn on the high resolution aerial imagery to see some details of structures and cover that can help you if you have a written description about the land.


Use the query tool to see the PINs, legal descriptions and other details for the short-listed properties until you identify the one you're after.



Scenario 2 - No Context

Imagine a single driveway provides access to parking at the rear of two neighbouring homes.  The neighbours may have cooperated on maintaining it for years, but at the time of the sale, this type of casual arrangement can quickly escalate to a long legal battle. Who owns that driveway?  

Start by searching the address in VuMAP.


Pull up high resolution aerial imagery of the location. In VuMAP, you can review historical imagery and compare the site year over year.






You'll be able to see fence lines, lanes ways and other features that once existed in the past, measure distances between points, and use contextual details like this to help interpret plans of survey and similar reference material.




VuMAP is a great tool to help you get started on complicated searches and quickly adds value to all sorts of legal research tasks.  Watch a tutorial or get a free trial.

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