Why Lenders Suddenly Reject Property Deals Without a Complete ALTA Survey Table A Review
An ALTA survey can move a property deal forward or bring it to a sudden stop. The difference often comes down to one thing: whether the right Table A items were included from the start. Lenders are asking more questions before approving commercial property loans, and an incomplete survey is one of the fastest ways to get a deal rejected or delayed at the worst possible time.
Why Lenders Now Want a Complete ALTA Survey Table A Review
Lenders use an ALTA survey to understand what they are financing. They want to know about property lines, buildings, access points, and anything else that could affect the value or use of the property. Table A is the part of an ALTA survey where extra items get added based on what the lender, buyer, or title company needs.
In recent years, lenders have become more specific about which Table A items they require. A survey that worked for one deal may not meet the requirements for another. When a lender reviews a survey and finds that key items are missing, they ask for more information. That request puts the deal on hold until the surveyor goes back to address the gaps.
Missing Table A Items Can Create Unexpected Problems
Table A includes a long list of optional items that can be added to an ALTA survey. Some of the most commonly requested ones cover parking areas, utility lines running through the property, access points from public roads, and the location of above-ground improvements near property lines.
Problems happen when the person ordering the survey doesn’t know which items the lender requires. A survey gets ordered with a basic set of items, the work gets done, and then the lender reviews it and asks why certain details are missing. At that point, the surveyor may need to go back to the site and collect more information. That takes time, and in a property deal, time is rarely something buyers and sellers have to spare.
Incomplete Survey Information Can Delay Closing
Buyers, lenders, and title companies all rely on the ALTA survey during a property deal. Each party uses it for a different purpose. The title company checks it for boundary issues and encroachments. The lender checks it to confirm the property meets the requirements of the loan. The buyer uses it to understand what they are purchasing.
When survey information is incomplete, each of those reviews gets interrupted. The title company may put a hold on issuing the title commitment. The lender may pause the loan approval until the missing details are provided. Even a short delay can push a closing date back by days or weeks, which can affect financing terms, move-in timelines, and other commitments that both sides have already made.
Asking Questions Early Can Help Avoid Survey Issues
The best time to find out what a lender requires is before the survey gets ordered, not after it comes back incomplete. Most lenders have a written list of the Table A items they need for a specific type of property or transaction. Asking for that list early gives the surveyor the information needed to plan the work correctly from the start.
Property owners and buyers should also talk with their surveyor before fieldwork begins. A surveyor who understands the full scope of what is needed can complete the work in one visit instead of returning later to fill in missing details. That saves time and reduces the risk of a delay right before closing.
A Complete ALTA Survey Can Make Property Deals Easier
When an ALTA survey includes all the right Table A items, everyone involved in the deal has what they need. The lender can complete their review. The title company can move forward with the commitment. The buyer has a clear picture of the property before they close.
A complete survey also reduces back-and-forth between parties. Instead of waiting for answers to questions about access, parking, or utility locations, those details are already documented in the survey. That makes the review process faster and gives everyone more confidence in the information they are working from.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ALTA Survey?
An ALTA survey is a detailed survey used in many commercial property deals. It shows property lines, buildings, access points, and other important features based on national standards.
What is Table A in an ALTA Survey?
Table A is a list of optional items that can be added to an ALTA survey. These items get selected based on what the lender, buyer, or title company needs for a specific transaction.
Why do lenders ask for a complete ALTA Survey?
Lenders need accurate and detailed information about a property before approving a loan. An ALTA survey gives them a verified picture of the property that they can rely on during the review process.
Can missing Table A items delay a property deal?
Yes. When required items are missing, lenders and title companies ask for more information before moving forward. That request puts the deal on hold until the surveyor provides what is needed.
How can I help prevent problems with an ALTA Survey?
Ask your lender for their required Table A items before the survey is ordered. Share that list with your surveyor so all the needed details are included from the start.
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