How to estimate and verify square footage for a fixer upper?

Question

Guys, how do I estimate (well, actually verify my estimates) for the square footage of a fixer upper? Especially if it's a virtual wholesaling.

I looked at similar properties in the neighborhood, but from photos it's hard to judge.

I cannot find data on any MLS services.  It says zero.  And neither seller not agent seem to know either.

David Lee Hall, III · Answer

Google Earth has a ruler tool. I use it all the time to measure building dimensions.

David Lee Hall, III · Answer

Actually this depends on location. For example, Butler and Westmoreland counties here in western PA do not have this information. (The counties just north and just east of Pittsburgh.)

I might argue those counties do predate civilization but then there would be no excuse for Fayette County (locally known as Fayette-nam as in Vietnam) which actually does have sqft records.

Or then you get Beaver County that hasn’t done An assessment since 1983 and half the data is just wrong. 🤷‍♂️

Jerryll Noorden · Answer

Something is a bit confusing here.

You said neither the seller nor the agent know the square footage. Is the property listed?

If yes, the agent MUST know the square footage. A decent agent would be on her (because all agents are female) knees with a tape measure measuring each room!

If no, then indeed why would an agent know if it is not their listing right?

Then,

Your county records MUST have that info especially if someone is paying taxes on it. There must have been an assessment if taxes are paid on it and so there must be a record of it (unless the house predates civilized civilization?)

Lastly you can still find the square footage estimate. Go to google maps. Look at the map and somewhere in a corner there should be some ratio of length that changes as you zoom in.

Now from that ration with your ruler measure the house on your screen  (in map view) and you can get reasonably accurate numbers. Multiply the house's length and width, multiply that by 0.93 to account for wall thicknesses etc. Then measure the garage length and width, and subtract that from the overal number you got from just now and that is a good enough square footage of the house.

Lastly you can again via google maps, fond the neighbor's house and find their square footage on zillow or something and just eyeball their size compared to yours and you have a reasonable estimate on the square footage of the house.

There you have it!

How to estimate and verify square footage for a fixer upper?

Most Popular Reply