When a lot is not rectangular in shape, a description dividing the lot into halves should be carefully analyzed. The example below illustrates the ambiguous nature of a described half of a non-rectangular lot.

A lot division described by acreage is always restricted by the actual bearings and distances of the boundary lines. It is best to analyze the boundary characteristics of any parcel described by an acreage recital. If the property in question contains references to acreage, location of boundaries may be uncertain. Consult a First American title expert, a licensed engineer or a surveyor if you have any doubt as to the boundary locations.

If the lot is rectangular, an acreage recital may easily be converted to linear dimensions as illustrated in the following example:

All lot — except the south 10 acres.

Since the south 10 acres will be bounded by the east and west lines of the lot, the southerly dimension of this area will be 1000 feet. To find the dimension to be measured northerly from the south line, divide the total square feet in 10 acres by 1000. Since 10 acres equals 435,600 square feet, the unknown dimension will be 435.6 feet. Thus, the south 10 acres may also be described as the south 435.6 feet of the lot.