Name

D. Hampton "Hamp" Thomas

Company

Carolina Appraisers & Institute of Housing Technologies

E-mail

Contact D. Hampton "Hamp" Thomas (Carolina Appraisers & Institute of Housing Technologies)

Website

http://www.HouseMeasures.com

Office Phone

(910) 949-5594

Cell Phone

(910) 603-2690

Fax

(910) 949-2196

Description

26 Pinecrest Plaza #165 Southern Pines, NC 28387-4301 Certified Residential Appraiser CRS/CDEI/ABR/GRI/Realtor Author of "How to Measure a House," the "American Measurement Standard, Size Matters

About Us:

We teach all about "how to measure a house." We have a book based on the ANSI® Guideline, and we also have books that teach the American Measurement Standard®. There is NOT much difference between methods; but, there is just enough difference to keep all real estate professionals from measuring the same way; keeping consumers (and home values) at risk. The size of a home may depend on where you live and who takes the measurements. No other industry works that way. Imagine the electrical industry, or plumbing, or building supplies, or gasoline, etc. from having industry-wide mandated measurement standards; it would be chaos.

You DO NOT have to measure any listing. However, if you do report a specific number you may be held responsible for its accuracy; regardless of any disclosures you make. Public records are NOT the answer... Personally, I think that Agents are best protected by having an appraiser, or one of the new home measurement and floor plan companies provide a sketch (and a specific square footage total) for them. That way, the Agent provides consumers (and their peers) with accurate square footage details, and any liability is directed at the measurement expert. Good for all!  Greater responsibility with less liability!

Check out all the free articles at our website. Any questions about measuring square footage and why it is so important is covered within this site. See examples of square footage errors by local tax departments in several states. Good info for agents and appraisers.  

Finished Living Area - Finished Square Footage - Heated Living Area - Heated Square Footage     All names, often interchangeable, which typically refer to the enclosed area of a house which is intended for human occupancy; and further defined as space that is suitable for year round occupancy, heated and cooled by a central, permanently installed system; and embodying walls, floors, and ceilings that are similar to the rest of the house. To be counted as finished or heated, the space must be permanently, safely, and sufficiently heated (and/or cooled depending on climate) to permit year round occupancy. [Heated -- by a central system or systems; that are permanently installed in the dwelling; not portable in any nature; and must generate sufficient heat and/or cooling to make the space suitable for year round use.]

 Gross Living Area - GLA -- Often interchangeable with the above stated names, "GLA" refers to and is defined as; finished space that is above grade only.

 visit www.howtomeasureahouse.com

Areas of Expertise

Hamp Thomas is the founder and president of the Institute of Housing Technologies, LLC. He is also the president of The Measure Man Real Estate Services and Carolina Appraisers & Real Estate. He is the author of the American Measurement Standard, the Size Matters - Residential Square Footage books and continuing education course series (for agents and appraisers offered online through McKissock Real Estate School), the real estate continuing education course Home Measurement Basics (offered through the Institute of Housing Technologies) and Inside the New Appraisal Process; and  numerous other real estate courses, webinars, videos, and blogs. Hamp also authored the Professional's Dictionary of Real Estate Terms, Realtors and Square Footage, and his latest book Death of an Industry-Real Estate Appraisal. Hamp has written local, regional, and national articles and been featured in Realtor Magazine and had his book reviewed in the Appraisal Journal. Learning Library and Realtor® University currently offer the "Size Matters" webinar and his video on How to Handle Low Appraisals is displayed on Realtor® TV. Also featuring over 20 YouTube® videos on real estate, appraisals, measurements and methodology, and automated valuation models. He is currently working to establish the new CMS (Certified Measurement Specialist) Designation and Certification programs. The CMS© designation will provide agents, appraisers, assessors, home measurement specialists, and many others with a broad understanding of how to measure, calculate, and communicate residential square footage. A Certified Residential Appraiser, Certified Residential Specialist; (CRS), Certified Distance Education Instructor; (CDEI), State Approved Continuing Education Instructor, Accredited Buyer's Representative; (ABR), Graduate of the Realtor Institute; (GRI), and a Realtor®, Hamp takes a unique approach to each topic and bases his education programs on the needs of the professional real estate practitioner. Common sense, down to earth information, provided in a manner you can learn today and use tomorrow.

 

Testimonials

Hamp,

Thanks for taking the extra time and for sharing your experience. I will never forget your advice, "if money can fix it-it ain't broke!" Good life lesson. Thanks again for the extra efforts.

K Lehmann-Gulf Breeze, FL