What is the primary function of a base line in real estate?

The primary function of a base line in real estate is to serve as a reference line for legal descriptions. In the context of land surveying and mapping, a base line is used as a starting point for the survey of certain lands, particularly in the rectangular survey system established by the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) in the United States.

Legal descriptions of properties often rely on specific and precise geographic references, and the base line provides a key point from which property boundaries and dimensions can be accurately measured. This system allows land to be divided into townships and sections, facilitating clear and unambiguous property descriptions that are essential for legal transactions and ownership documentation.

Understanding the function of base lines is crucial for anyone involved in real estate, as it helps ensure that property descriptions are both accurate and legally enforceable.