Size matters. But not the one you’re picturing! And, yes, we do require as precise a measurement as possible…of square feet, of course! What should buyers and sellers do when square footage data is inaccurate?

The size of the home is one of the primary deciding elements for how much buyers are willing to spend for the home. Homes in the bay region are notorious for missing or erroneous square footage statistics, particularly in older homes that may have been altered or enlarged over the years. This appears to be a widespread problem.

For square footage data on a property, we all look to the county records first. However, if the home is older and the records are missing, or if the owners did not conduct permitted expansions or the records simply have not been updated, the sellers’ potential sale price will be impacted, and buyers attempting to determine the value of the property may rely on incorrect square feet records. And did I mention the litigation risk that comes with erroneous square footage data provided by sellers to buyers? So the question remains… how to hedge liability and sell your home with the higher square feet measurements?

If you suspect that the tax records under your houses living space square feet data, employ an appraiser to measure and draw the measures of the home for prospective purchasers to inspect in your disclosure package. Don’t forget to include verbiage advising buyers to measure square feet for their pleasure. This data will be used to help you promote your house at a larger square footage measurement than the county records.

In other words, if there are discrepancies in square feet sellers do the extra steps and get a third party to provide buyers a more accurate assessment and buyers it’s not a red flag, it’s very common. Just do your own diligence.

In other words, if there are inconsistencies in square footage, sellers will go out of their way to engage a third party to offer purchasers with a more precise appraisal, and this is not a red flag; it is usual. Just do your own diligence. If you are looking at the option of buying a home or  selling a home in the San Francisco or the Peninsula in the near future please reach out to us.