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What's the proper way to measure this? From the inside walls? Include interior wall space?
I measured the square footage of a house I made an offer on - and there was a difference that the owner acknowledges - 3,800 advertised, 3,500 actual. Is it reasonable to ask the owner to discount the price by the % difference (approximately 7%)?
PS - this is a FSBO, and I'm not using a buyers agent.
Last edited by appelsoranjes; 10-13-2010 at 09:10 PM..
No it is not reasonable because not only are you not a professional you are biased too. You are more likely to under-measure than over measure, just like the seller is more likely to over-measure than under-measure.
If the square footage is so important to you then pay to have it professionally measured then see. Chances are the seller is going to say no unless you made an offer to buy the house at $x per square foot.
A buyers agent would probably help you out a lot in your situation.
Maybe an appraiser will chime in, but every time I see an appraiser at a property, I only see them measuring the outside of the house. Now they may use a formula to take out the exterior walls,I don't know.
Maybe an appraiser will chime in, but every time I see an appraiser at a property, I only see them measuring the outside of the house. Now they may use a formula to take out the exterior walls,I don't know.
Measuring a 1 story is easy. It's the 2nd floor that is a challenge. Anyone who doesn't know how to measure will be way off.
I wouldn't put any value to OP's measurements. Want it done right ? pay an appraiser to measure the footage or put it in the contract that the house must measure to a certain footage.
Inspector did a rough measure and stated house was 3,100
when brought this info to the seller, they acknowledged mismeasuring the house and that is was 3,500 instead of 3,800. I did the measure myself, and found 3,500 myself.
Should I get an appraiser to do the exact measurement, then ask for a discount if there is a difference?
Are there model match homes in the neighborhood? If so, can you get their square footages? Maybe they are all the same and that could settle it.
no model homes. the owner is also the architect, so I would think she would know the exact sqft - but the fact that she got it wrong (3,800 vs 3,500) makes me think I should have an unbiased pro perform it.
My main question remains - if there is a difference in the sqft, can I ask for the difference off the accepted purchase price? we are still in the inspection contingency window.
My main question remains - if there is a difference in the sqft, can I ask for the difference off the accepted purchase price? we are still in the inspection contingency window.
Footage is not so much important as value. Your lender will require the house to appraise and even at smaller footage if your getting a deal, footage is not that important.
Yes you can ask and yes he can refuse. It's all about the values of the home.
We had a buyer purchase one of our listing last year where the house was 300 sq ft smaller. He was getting a great deal and the house appraised $25k more then the sales price. He wanted to sue but had no grounds. He lost focus that he was getting a great deal. (BTW, all the documents we had showed the higher footage.)
Would you have offered less if you knew the lower sq footage from the beginning?
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