Why does legal description only describe land?

The correct choice highlights that legal descriptions pertain specifically to land because buildings and other improvements are legally recognized as part of the real estate itself. In real estate terminology, “land” encompasses not only the physical soil and space but also any structures that have been permanently affixed to it. Thus, when a legal description is created, it aims to provide clear and precise boundaries for the land that includes everything on it, which affects ownership and property rights.

This inherently ties to the concept of real estate, where land and anything that is permanently attached, like buildings, are considered one unit. Legal descriptions are crucial in determining the extent of this unit in transactions, ownership disputes, and zoning laws, reinforcing why the focus of such descriptions is on the land aspect.

Other choices like focusing on geographical features or requiring extensive surveys do not capture the core reason for the focus on land. Furthermore, while land may be seen as more stable than buildings in a general sense, this stability is not the primary reason for the nature of legal descriptions in real estate.