What is the purpose of a benchmark in real estate?

A benchmark in real estate is primarily used to officially designate elevation above sea level. These benchmarks are specific points of known elevation that serve as reference markers for surveying and mapping. They are established by governmental agencies and are crucial in creating accurate topographical maps, ensuring engineering projects are correctly aligned with the geographical features of the land, and assisting in floodplain management by helping to determine flood levels.

Land ownership and property boundaries, while essential in real estate, are determined through different legal descriptions and surveys, not benchmarks. Similarly, property value assessment involves market analyses and appraisals that consider numerous factors beyond just elevation. Therefore, the identification of elevation points is the distinct and vital function that benchmarks serve in the context of real estate.