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Measure twice, cut once...Right?

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Access

Measure twice, cut once...Right?

I have been showing lots of homes lately, we have been lucky in San Antonio as far as incoming home buyers are concerned.  Of my last several buyers, a few have been particularly interested in square footage and room dimensions.  For whatever reason, I have come across quite a few houses recently that have a total square footage of X (per Bexar County Appraisal District) BUT a square footage of Y (when room dimensions are used). 

 photo courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/centralasian/3298466498/

This past Tuesday, I showed a property that was listed at 2203 sq ft.  On the way to the home, my client added the room dimensions listed in the MLS and came up with a grand total of 798 sq ft.  The same day we viewed a home that was missing over 600 sq ft between the BCAD square footage and the room dimensions.  Over the weekend, with a different buyer, I happened upon a home that listed the master bath at 3 X 9....REALLY? Three feet by nine feet?? Turns out the measurement was WAY off!  This got me thinking....

How do you get your measurements when you take a listing?

photo courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aussiegall/286709039/

Granted, I am aware that the closets, hallways and perhaps pantry spaces are not often included in room dimensions, so I understand some discrepancies between room dimensions and total square footage but in my humble opinion the above examples are a wee bit extreme.

Most of us (at least here in San Antonio) use the Bexar County Appraisal District for our total square footage but it seems the problem lies in the measurement of the rooms.  I am by no means a contractor or in any way certified to measure rooms but I do carry a tape measure and do know how to use it.  It doesn't take much time to whip it out and run some quick measurement during a listing appointment or when I go by to take pictures, drop off my sign or install the lock-box, so why not do it?

Comments (3)

Trey Langford
BuildIdaho.com - Meridian, ID
BuildIdaho.com

makes sense.

Jun 10, 2010 11:16 AM
Jen Wing
JPW Field Inspections - Chico, CA
Field Inspections Since 2007

http://homebuying.about.com/od/realestatecareers/ss/square_footage.htm

Thanks.  I learned something too.

Jen Wing

 

Jun 10, 2010 11:29 AM
Jeanna Martinez
RE/MAX Access - Schertz, TX

Trey - Thanks!

Jarrett - Thank you so much for the link!  I didn't know how they reach that total square footage! :-)

Jun 10, 2010 11:35 AM