Final answer:
ALTA surveys provide detailed information about property boundaries and protection against errors in property line location, which is vital in areas with complex boundaries due to metes and bounds practices. While CLTA offers title coverage in California, it does not include the comprehensive survey protections of ALTA. For accurate boundary lines, especially in areas affected by metes and bounds, an ALTA survey is recommended.
Step-by-step explanation:
ALTA (American Land Title Association) and CLTA (California Land Title Association) are both types of title insurance endorsements that can provide protection against a variety of issues related to real estate. When it comes to guarding against the location of property lines, ALTA surveys are designed to offer a comprehensive view of property boundaries based on a formal survey. These surveys are tailored to the needs of commercial properties and incorporate a detailed review of the property's boundaries, easements, and other critical details.
Specifically, ALTA surveys can protect against errors in the location of property lines by providing precise measurements and identifying any discrepancies that may exist between the current property descriptions and the actual surveyed boundaries on the ground. This contrasts with the historical metes and bounds system, which relied on local landmarks and could lead to uncertainties in determining exact property lines.
The CLTA, on the other hand, provides title insurance coverage typical within California. While CLTA policies may include coverage for survey-related issues, they generally do not include the detailed survey protections that an ALTA survey would provide. Thus, for a property owner or a potential buyer concerned with accurate boundary lines, particularly in a region where metes and bounds traditions have created complex property boundaries, opting for an ALTA survey might be a prudent decision.