How to handle house SF size discrepancy between listing, tax office, builder and appraisal?

Question

Often time, we see the sf listed on HAR differ from tax office, always higher on listing, from my encounter so far. The difference is significant 200 to 300 sf more than tax office. Obviously bigger sf means higher sales price. How should Buyer agent handle the situation with Seller Agent and his/her buyer about the difference? Thank you.

Karen Sherrill · Accepted Answer

If you are representing a buyer, I would ask the listing agent how they arrived at the square footage. If the sellers have an old appraisal wth the information that is being used as the source (should be noted in the MLS) that is an accurate figure to use. Appraisal districts are frequently off.  HOWEVER, if a seller is stating his home is larger I would proceed with more caution. Again ask how they arrived at the figure. Based on that answer your buyer can decide how to proceed. Another option is when you go under contract to have your home inspector do a cursory measurement for square footage (NOTE: not as accurate as an appraiser) - you are then in your option period to negotiate if it appears significantly off.  If you are in a subdivision with similar floor plans, you can also compare apples to apples to see if similar layouts are listing the same square footage.

If you are representing a seller and the square footage is off, I have hired an appraiser specifically to measure the home so we can show the buyer an accurate and independent measurement of the home.

Hope that helps

John Woo

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