Expert: Matt Heisler - 6/11/2008

Question
Does the land around a house convey when the home is sold? End Unit Townhouse in Washington, DC

Answer
Russell:

In specific real estate language, your question is hard to get a handle on.

   "Does the land around a house convey when the home is sold? End Unit Townhouse in Washington, DC"

Here's what I think you mean:  You own a townhouse, which legally is likely classified as a condominium, and you want to know if the land is conveyed when it sells.

If that's correct, than you need to check your deed, which will likely be incorporated as part of the master deed, which is part of the public record for you home.  In most cases, condos have "joint ownership" of the land that the condo sits on, but there are exceptions.  If I'm reading your question right, when you sell your condo, the "joint ownership" of the land will convey.  You can use it, but only in the manner specified by the association.  Any other use would need association approval.

Even though we commonly talk about selling "houses" what we are actually selling (most of the time) is the REALTY, which is a legal term meaning the land and everything on it (including the house).  In a single-family transaction, the REALTY includes the land as specified in the DEED, which is the official record of what is being sold.

So, I'm not sure what your selling, or buying, but that should cover both cases.

Matt Heisler