Ep. 20 - The History Beneath Your Feet: Land Surveying in East Texas with Carey Johnson

In this episode of Grounded, we sit down with Carey Johnson, owner and president of Northpoint Surveying, to explore what land surveying really involves—and why it matters more than most landowners realize.Carey shares his 20+ years of experience as a registered professional land surveyor in Texas, walking us through what happens from the moment a survey is requested to the final delivery. We dive into boundary determination, metes and bounds descriptions, old family land tracts, and why acreage and property lines almost always change when a modern survey is done. Along the way, Carey explains common misconceptions, the critical research that happens behind the scenes, and how surveys can uncover historical surprises, lost acreage, and even long-forgotten deeds.

We also discuss:Why appraisal district maps often don’t match realityHow old deeds, moved creeks, and historic monuments affect boundariesThe balance between fieldwork and office research in surveyingHow modern technology (GPS, CAD, AI) fits into today’s surveying worldWhy landowners should get surveys even if they aren’t sellingThe future of surveying and why the industry needs more professionalsCarey also shares how he found surveying through what he calls “divine intervention,” his passion for land history, and why customer service and empathy matter just as much as technical expertise.

Whether you’re a landowner, buyer, seller, agent, or simply curious about how land boundaries are established, this episode offers valuable insight into the profession that quite literally defines property.Hosted By:Mikayla Burris & Angela Smith - Homeland Properties AgentsOffice: 936-295-2500www.homelandprop.comGuest: Carey Johnson - Northpoint Survey | OwnerOffice: 936-900-9972www.npsurveying.com