What is an easement, and how do they work?

An easement is a common finding during a title search, the crucial step in the homebuying process that confirms the seller’s legal ownership of the property and uncovers any claims or restrictions tied to it.

But, while an easement is one such restriction — in that it gives someone other than the owner rights to use part of the land — it’s not necessarily a reason to walk away from the sale. Read on for everything you need to know about this potentially tricky real estate issue.

What is an easement?

An easement, by definition, grants another person, entity or business the legal right to access or use someone else’s property. It basically gives a non-titled party an interest in the property. The owner still has full ownership and rights to the land, but that’s limited by the rights of th