ALTA Practice Exam – Complete Prep Resource

The legal description of a property is a precise and formal statement that defines the exact boundaries and location of the property in question. It typically includes specific details that can be used to identify the property on maps and in legal documents, such as the use of landmarks, measurements, and coordinates. This level of detail ensures that the property can be distinctly identified and measured, which is crucial for legal purposes, ownership, and transfers.

In contrast, general information about the property's age and condition does not relate to its legal boundaries; a marketing description might focus on appealing features rather than exact specifications; and a historical overview of ownership, while informative, does not provide the current legal delineations of the property itself. Therefore, the primary function of the legal description is to provide that detailed information about the property's boundaries and location.