What square footage should I market my property at?

Question

My investment house's square footage per my property survey is approximately 1600sqft. When I calculate my inside room dimensions I am at approximately 1400sqft. The county assessor has the property assessed at the 1400sqft.

Can I market my property at 1600sqft?

Thank you in advance!

Can I market my property at 1600sqft?

Thank  you in advance!

Michael Noto · Answer

@Adam Soyak Are you listing the house with an agent?  The only reason I ask is here in CT our MLS automatically populates the square footage based on the town records, but it does give you the option of manually changing the square footage with the owner being listed as the source of the square footage number as opposed to the town records.

So in your example the MLS would read either "Sq Ft 1400/town records" or Sq ft 1600/Owner". Neither is right or wrong as long as the info you are giving is accurate and if your survey backs it up you should be good.

If you aren't listing on your local MLS, just list it as 1600 sq ft and have the survey ready in case someone asks.

Bob Okenwa · Answer

@Adam Soyak

I've seen listings with the square footage mentioned followed by "Buyer to verify square footage". You should also keep the survey handy to show everyone that your records are more up-to-date than city records.

Christina Gentry · Answer

I use heated area only, but you could easily say something like...

1600 SF incl. living areas, bedrooms, garage and screened porch.  (I don't know what you got, I'm just using for example.)

It's not deceptive as you've got a  measured plat.

Happy Renting :)

Christina

Russell Brazil · Answer

This is very important.....your state might have laws specific to this question.  Also if they do not, there is likely a customary practice in your market on what square footage to use. If you end up in front of the administrative judge, first they will look to the law, then to the market place customs.

If you don't know either, I'd suggest hiring an agent.

Brian Pulaski · Answer

What did your property surveyor measure? Sounds like he only measured the exterior of the home, correct? If so does it include things like a porch, garage, etc? I can see a surveyor only interested in the homes footprint giving you a number that doesn't match the living space of the home. in my opinion if the home is 1400 SF, you measure 1400 SF and the town says 1400 SF I would list it as such. People are going to ask about the 200 SF difference, ao you will need to know what and how he measured it.

What square footage should I market my property at?

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