If you’re buying or selling a home in areas like South Miami,
Pinecrest, Coral Gables, or Kendall, you might come across the word easement.
It sounds like legal fine print—but it can have a big impact on how you use
your property.
As a local, independent real estate advisor, I work one-on-one with
homeowners, buyers, and sellers across these neighborhoods. And easements?
They’re one of those things I always make sure my clients understand—because
they can affect your plans, your property value, and your peace of mind.
Let’s break down what an easement really is, why it matters, and how to
handle it the smart way.
What Is an Easement?
An easement is a legal right that allows someone else to use a portion of
your property—even though you still own it.
Maybe the utility company needs access to underground power lines in your
backyard. Or maybe your neighbor has the right to drive over a small strip of
your property to reach theirs. You still own the land, but they’re legally
allowed to use it for a specific reason.
It’s more common than you might think—and it’s not something you want to
ignore.
Why Easements Matter Around Here
Whether you’re buying your first home in Coral Gables or thinking about
adding a pool to your Pinecrest backyard, you need to know if there’s an
easement on your property. Why?
Because easements can:
-Restrict where you can build,
plant, or fence.
-Impact your home’s value and what
buyers are willing to pay.
-Cause legal or neighbor issues if
you don’t follow the rules.
-Surprise you with costs—like if a
utility company has to dig up part of your yard.
I’ve seen easements pop up during last-minute contract reviews or
inspections, and they can definitely stall a sale or change a buyer’s plans.
That’s why I dig into this stuff with every client, early on.
Common Easements in South Miami
Neighborhoods
Living in older, well-established areas like Coral Gables, South Miami or parts of
Kendall means easements are often built into the history of the lot.
Here are the ones I see most:
Utility easements – These give the city or service providers the right to access things
like water pipes, power lines, and sewer systems that run through your
property.
Access easements – These allow a neighbor to legally cross your land to reach
theirs—common with shared driveways or flag lots.
City easements – Like sidewalks or public maintenance zones along the street, which the
city has the right to maintain or access.
They’re not necessarily dealbreakers, but they do affect what you can do
on your land—and that’s something I help every client consider before moving
forward.
How Do You Know If a Property Has an
Easement?
In most cases, when you're buying a home, a property survey will
identify any existing easements. Surveys map out the boundaries of the land and
flag areas that are legally reserved for things like utility access, shared
driveways, or public right-of-way. I always recommend reviewing the survey
carefully—it’s one of the best tools we have for spotting potential easement
issues before closing.
If you're not in the middle of a purchase or didn’t get a survey when you
bought your home, don’t worry, you can still find this information.
For properties in Miami-Dade County, you can:
Request public records from the Miami-Dade County
Recorder’s Office, which keeps official documents including easements,
deeds, and property plats. Many of these can be accessed online through
the Miami-Dade
Clerk of Courts website.
Order a new survey from a licensed local surveyor.
This is especially helpful if you're planning renovations, installing a
fence, or building an addition.
Review your title documents from closing. If there was an
easement recorded at the time you bought the home, it should be listed in
the title report.
If you're not sure where to begin or how to interpret what you find, feel
free to reach out. I’m happy to walk you through it and help you understand
what’s affecting your property—or a home you’re thinking of buying.
What Happens If You Have One?
Not every easement is a problem. The key is knowing:
Where it’s located.
What it’s for.
What you can’t do in that
area.
If you’re thinking of adding a fence, a guest house, or even planting new
trees, it’s worth checking first. Blocking or building over an easement can
result in fines—or in some cases, having to tear something down at your own
expense.
This is the kind of thing I make sure we look at together during the
buying or listing process—so you don’t get caught off guard.
Can You Remove an Easement?
Sometimes, yes. But not always.
If the easement is private—like a shared driveway—you might be able to
remove it with a legal agreement between both parties. If it’s a utility or
city easement, it’s usually permanent.
Every case is different. If it becomes a concern, I can help you
understand your options and connect you with the right professionals to dig
deeper.
Final Thoughts: Know What You Own
Easements aren’t something to be afraid of—but they’re also not something
to ignore.
Whether you’re buying a new place in South Miami or prepping to sell your
home in Pinecrest, knowing what’s on your land—and what’s legally allowed—can
save you time, money, and stress.
As a solo real estate advisor, I work closely
with every client to make sure nothing gets overlooked. That includes
easements, zoning, and anything else that might impact your home and your
plans.
Have questions about a property in South Miami, Pinecrest, Kendall, or
Coral Gables? I’d be happy to help.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just trying to make sense of what’s on your
lot—I’ll walk you through it, one-on-one, no pressure.
Reach out to me, or check out more
tips and insights at MyCasitas.com.
Let’s make real estate feel a little more human—and a lot less stressful.
Subscribe to Blog