Landlocked Parcels: How to Verify Legal Access Before You Buy

A parcel can look perfectly accessible in a drone photo and still have no legal, recorded right to reach it. Access is one of the most common ways a land deal falls apart after the fact — and one of the easiest things to check beforehand.

"Physical access" is not the same as "legal access"

Just because you can drive to a parcel today doesn't mean you have a legal right to keep doing so. If that access crosses someone else's property without a recorded easement, that access can be revoked, gated off, or contested at any time — sometimes years after you've built on the land.

Check the title report for recorded easements

A preliminary title report will show any recorded easements benefiting or burdening the parcel. This is the paper trail that confirms access is legally yours to use, not just physically possible today.

Watch for "landlocked" language in listing remarks

Some listings will note access is "via a dirt road" or that a neighboring address is used "for reference" or "marketing purposes" — that's often a sign the parcel doesn't have a standard street address and access should be verified carefully rather than assumed.

A recorded easement is worth more than a friendly neighbor

An informal understanding with a neighbor about crossing their land isn't the same as a recorded easement. Verbal agreements don't transfer with the property and aren't binding on future owners — get it in writing and recorded, or don't count on it.