Surveying with a Purpose   The leadership at McSteen, along with the input of each of their team members recently undertook the process of developing a new Purpose Statement to help guide the company into what lies ahead. We recently had the opportunity to talk with Molly Woeste, President of McSteen about the new Purpose Statement, how they discovered it, and what it means moving forward.   Securing the Land where we Live, Work and Play  Safeguarding real estate through our unparalleled delivery of a customer-crafted experience and innovation that propels us beyond b ..read more

The French American Chamber of Commerce of Ohio dedicated the French Cultural Garden on Sunday, April 7, at The Cleveland Museum of Art at University Circle. Phase I of the Garden includes a terrace in the shape of France, a flagpole, and sign.   McSteen’s Boundary Survey Department was proud to partner on this project, with the field team and drafting teams both playing a role before the final review by Ryan Snezek, P.S., Director of Survey.   Our role as a whole team was to provide a base map for the design professionals to complete the design work as well as provide a legal d ..read more

A career in land surveying offers tremendous day-to-day variety, the ability to work outdoors, the opportunity to apply math and geography skills in the real world, and the satisfaction of contributing something of lasting value and importance. Land surveying is crucial to responsible land development and there will always be a need for it.  What is a land survey?   A land survey allows property owners to understand its boundaries by establishing or reestablishing corners, lines, boundaries, and monuments of real property based on recorded documents, historical evidence, and pr ..read more

A topographic survey is used to help develop land properly. The more familiar with the terrain, the easier it is to implement design plans and keep construction projects on schedule and within the necessary budget.  What is a topographic survey? A topographic survey includes field measurement and preparation of a plat to establish land elevations. A ‘topo’ is typically contracted by a residential or commercial property owner before making improvements to the property, including additions, landscaping, or parking lots.   While a boundary survey focuses on horizontal measurements ..read more

Our new software platform is designed to enhance the experience of our title and lending partners with ordering, tracking, and viewing invoices for mortgage location and inspection requests.  Key Features + Benefits Effortless Order Placement: Streamlines the ordering process, ensuring a hassle-free experience from start to finish.     Real-Time Tracking: Keeps tabs on your requests with real-time tracking, allowing you to monitor the progress of surveys and inspections at your convenience.     Instant Invoice Access: Provides transparency and effici ..read more

Regardless of scope or size, every project needs to start with good information, as that is the basis for everything that goes forward with that development or construction. A professional land surveyor plays an integral role, then, in mapping project areas, identifying potential risks, and verifying plans.  What is a site plan?  A site plan is a graphic representation of all existing and proposed improvements to a site. It functions as a map for a development project, incorporating all aspects of landscaping, construction, paving, utilities, and terrain features in a single depicti ..read more

It can be an amazing experience to enjoy a custom-designed home for you and your family. It’s also essential to fully protect this major financial investment from unscrupulous or careless builders, encroachments, possible defects, and any future hassles that might arise.  Why Is a Land Survey Necessary for a New-Build Home?   When building a new home, a land survey, specifically a boundary survey rather than a mortgage location, can identify things such as a flood zone, property lines, encroachments from neighbors, lot dimensions, building setbacks, and property elevations. Old ..read more

There is certainly no lack of news about what we should expect from the economy as we head into 2024 and, particularly, the housing market – both nationally and in Ohio and surrounding areas. So let’s look at what industry experts are saying about the current housing market, and what we should expect in the coming year.   New home construction jumps, raising hopes for better housing market U.S. companies broke ground on a surprisingly high number of houses in November. Housing starts rose 9% from a year ago, primarily because of an 18% increase in starts on single-family houses. Hou ..read more

At McSteen, we see innovation and the use of cutting-edge technology as a core fundamental that is driving the growth of our company. As a result, we are always on the lookout for new technologies that can help us do our jobs better and more efficiently on behalf of our team members and clients. And, sometimes, we create our own.   McSteen CEO, Kevin Woeste is responsible for leading the charge in terms of technology, noting “Technology has always interested me, so I’ve also stepped into overseeing the technical division and guiding the company’s focus, vision, and direction with reg ..read more

When you take on a commercial or residential construction project, you can expect a construction draw inspection to take place. A draw inspection is one of the simplest inspections involved in major commercial or residential construction projects and revolves around your builder and your lender.   Why is a Draw Inspection Necessary in Construction Lending?  Construction loans are not fully advanced at the time of closing, rather the lender advances an amount to pre-fund an ‘interest reserve’ account, which will be used to make the loan’s monthly interest payments until construc ..read more