When you shop for land, you will see a long string of numbers in almost every listing. It is called a parcel number, or APN. Right next to it, you may see a line of odd-looking words and abbreviations. That is the legal description.
They look confusing at first. But they are simple tools, and they protect you. Once you can read them, you can check any lot for yourself.
What a parcel number is
A parcel number is like a Social Security number for a piece of land. The county gives each parcel its own number so it can keep track of it. APN stands for Assessor's Parcel Number.
Here is the parcel number for a 0.17-acre lot we sell in Palatka, Florida:
42-10-27-6850-2860-0700
You will not need to memorize it. What matters is that it points to one lot and only one lot. If a seller gives you a parcel number, you can use it to find that exact piece of land.
What a legal description is
The legal description is the official way to name a lot in the county records. It usually tells you the subdivision, the block, and the lot number.
Here is the legal description for the same Palatka lot:
Palatka Fearnside S/D, MB1 P122, Block 286, Lot 7
Let's break it down:
Palatka Fearnside S/D is the name of the subdivision. S/D is short for subdivision.
MB1 P122 points to a recorded map of the subdivision. MB is short for map book, and P is short for page.
Block 286 is the block inside the subdivision.
Lot 7 is the lot on that block.
Now look at a second example. Our double lot in Interlachen is in Interlachen Lakes Estates, Unit 22, Block 29. It is made up of two side-by-side lots, and each one has its own parcel number:
06-10-25-4081-0290-0210 06-10-25-4081-0290-0220
Two lots mean two parcel numbers. That is why we say the lots are sold together. You get both numbers, and both pieces of land.
Look it up yourself
You do not have to take a seller's word for it. In Putnam County, Florida, you can search a parcel number at pamap.putnam-fl.gov. You will see the county map and the lot lines.
Try this simple check:
Copy the parcel number from the listing.
Search for it on the county map.
Make sure the spot on the map matches the location in the listing.
Compare the lot size on the map to the size in the listing.
Look at the neighbors, the road, and the area around the lot.
If something does not match, ask before you buy. A good seller will be happy to answer.
Why this protects you
Land can look the same from the road. Trees, fields, and empty lots all blend together. A parcel number is how you know that the lot in the photo is the lot in the contract.
Always make sure the parcel number on your paperwork matches the parcel number in the listing. If you are buying two lots, make sure you see both numbers. Take a minute to read each digit. One wrong number could mean the wrong lot.
A short checklist
Before you buy any land, confirm these things:
The parcel number in the listing matches the parcel number on your paperwork
The legal description (subdivision, block, and lot) matches too
The lot shows up in the right place on the county map
The size on the map is close to the size in the listing
Every lot you are buying has its own number listed
Final thought
You do not need to be an expert to read these. A parcel number tells you which land. A legal description tells you where it fits in the subdivision. Together they let you check the facts yourself.
If you have a parcel number and want a second pair of eyes, send us a message. We will share what we know.