A road existing and a road you have the right to use are 2 different things.

A road existing and a road you have the right to use are 2 different things. The part I didn't get to: this shows up at the loan, not just at the closing table. Fannie Mae's guidelines say a property should "front on a publicly dedicated and maintained street that meets community standards." When the street is privately owned instead, they want "an adequate, legally enforceable agreement or covenant for maintenance" — and it has to spell out each party's share of repair costs, what happens when somebody doesn't pay, and a term that is "perpetual and binding on any future owners." It should be recorded in the land records. Some states have statutes that cover this and don't require a separate agreement. So where do you actually look? The title commitment. Ask the title company directly whether access to the property is by recorded easement, and ask during your due diligence window — not after closing, when your only option is a conversation with a neighbor who owes you nothing. I'm a Realtor, not a title officer or a real estate attorney. Kelsey Earl, journalist turned Realtor, born and raised in Utah, Salt Lake to St. George, 801-419-8917, [email protected], Your lifelong friend in real estate 🌟 #utahrealestate #offgrid #ruralproperty #easement #utahhomes