Excel Formulas for Metes-and-Bounds and Monument Descriptions in Real Estate

Metes-and-bounds and monument descriptions are two methods of describing the boundaries of a piece of land or real estate. They are based on the physical features of the land, such as natural or artificial landmarks, directions, and distances. Here is a brief explanation of each method:

• Metes-and-bounds is a system that uses a point of beginning (POB) and then describes the distance and direction from the POB to the first monument, and then to subsequent monuments that define the property’s enclosed perimeter. A monument can be a natural feature, such as a river or a tree, or an artificial marker, such as a stake or a fence. The description ends when it reaches the POB again, forming a closed loop. Metes-and-bounds descriptions are often used for irregularly shaped parcels of land, and they are considered as the most accurate description of a land in some jurisdictions.
• Monument descriptions are similar to metes-and-bounds, but they do not use a POB or a closed loop. Instead, they use a series of monuments that are connected by straight lines to form the boundary of the property. The monuments can be either natural or artificial, and they are usually numbered or named for identification. Monument descriptions are often used for larger pieces of land, such as farms or towns, or for political subdivisions, such as counties or states.

Both methods of describing land require precise measurements and directions, and they may also include references to adjoining parcels of land and their owners. They are also known as legal descriptions, as they are used in deeds, contracts, and other legal documents related to real estate.

Basic Theory:

Metes-and-bounds descriptions rely on two main components:

1. Metes: Describes the distances between points, typically measured in feet or meters.
2. Bounds: Specifies the directions or angles between points, often using compass directions.

Monument descriptions involve physical markers like stones, stakes, or other objects that mark key points in the boundary.

Procedures:

1. Create a Table: Start by setting up an Excel table with columns for Point ID, Distance, Direction, Monument Description, X-coordinate, and Y-coordinate.
2. Enter Starting Point: Designate a cell to input the starting point (X0, Y0) and assign it coordinates. For simplicity, let’s assume our starting point is (0, 0).
3. Enter Metes-and-Bounds Data: Fill in the table with the distances and directions from each point to the next. Use formulas to convert directions into angles.
4. Calculate Coordinates: Utilize trigonometric functions to calculate the X and Y coordinates of each point based on the distances and angles.
5. Monument Descriptions: Include details about monuments in the table. These could be descriptions, types, or any relevant information.

Explanation:

Let’s consider a scenario:

Suppose we have the following metes-and-bounds data for a parcel of land:

Calculations in Excel:

1. Starting Point (A) coordinates: (0, 0)
2. Point B coordinates:
   • X-coordinate: =X0 + Distance * COS(RADIANS(Direction))
   • Y-coordinate: =Y0 + Distance * SIN(RADIANS(Direction))
3. Point C coordinates:
   • Repeat the calculation for Point C.

Result:

The final coordinates of Point C will give the precise location of the parcel’s boundary.

Other Approaches:

1. Coordinate Geometry Formulas: Utilize basic coordinate geometry formulas to calculate distances and angles between points.
2. Google Earth and KML Integration: Import the land parcel’s KML data into Google Earth, obtain coordinates, and use Excel to calculate distances and angles.
3. GIS Software Integration: Utilize Geographic Information System (GIS) software for more advanced mapping and analysis, exporting relevant data to Excel.