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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate, Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker (Fred Griffin Real Estate)

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1,453,069
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

We are encouraged to NOT include sq footage unless we have a desire to end up in court!   Did you read the article about the agent who lost a case due to incorrect square footage on the listing?  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/realtor-misrepresents-square-footage-1.3487389

Room measurements are not required but they are normally included.  My floorplan guy does this.

 

Jul 03, 2016 08:34 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

We are required to submit square footage for heated living area (there is no code yet in NC for air conditioning, but virtually all houses have it, nonetheless). Room sizes not required. One of the first things they teach in real estate school here is to NEVER, EVER use tax records as they are notoriously incorrect. And we are required to be within 5% accuracy in terms of the square footage we report (or else!).

I have never measured houses and always hire a professional to do so, who not only provides me with an accurate square footage, but also with professionally drawn plans that also include room dimensions, etc. At $90 to $150, depending on size of home, this service is a bargain as far as I'm concerned and both sellers and buyers love it!

Jul 03, 2016 11:23 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Fred,

We recommend professionals to do that.  We have had two professionals measure a commercial space with two different results.  Like Susan Emo stated there was a famous CA case involving less square footage than promised, and buyer sued and won...We did not represent SF even in office buildings or retail space, we used the words approximately 4000 square even when based on the actual building and floor plans.  Commercial measurement is done according to established standards.  A

Jul 03, 2016 09:53 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

When I was practicing in Florida yes; here in Atlanta no.

Jul 04, 2016 12:10 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

under roof heated/cooled - required in our mls which I think is ludicrous as many agents just guestimate anyway!

Jul 03, 2016 09:55 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Nope, we are not required to provide any specific details. I wish we did, since it is really disappointing to find one room or even more less. 

Jul 03, 2016 04:15 PM
Ambassador
5,049,488
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Those fields are required but ironically you can put it 0X0 for the rooms sizes without a problem! They give you options to cite where you got the information for total SF. There are several suits that I recall about errors in room size or total square footage.

Jul 03, 2016 03:19 PM
Rainmaker
1,090,922
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Our MLS requires both and I auto populate those fields from the appraiser's info. I have a laser just to measure for my own use but I never put my measurements in the MLS, was taught not to when I started and it stuck.

Jul 03, 2016 01:06 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

sq. ft. yes, and then we name our source.  I use the public record or an appraisal 

Room size no, but I do put what floor rooms are on so people know if Master and other bedrooms are on the ground floor.

Jul 03, 2016 01:00 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Our MLS required the measurments of the bedrooms.  I have a laser.

Jul 03, 2016 12:03 PM
Rainmaker
2,363,549
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

we go off the tax record here in the DC/MD/VA mls

Jul 03, 2016 11:04 AM
Rainer
231,224
Mike Rock
Complete Design - Granite Bay, CA
Granite Bay Luxury New Construction...For Less

ours for sq footage is treated air. under roof counts as a separate column. i always state appx

Jul 03, 2016 10:11 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Very rarely do I have to measure it. I have floorplans from original builders for most homes except obviously customs.

MLS makes us round up now. We do have to state where the info came from: tax records, seller, builder.

Jul 03, 2016 09:38 AM
Rainmaker
1,503,028
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

The only required size is the lot and the property, both provided by public records.  The room sizes are not required.  If they were, I'd buy a laser measurer simply because I think they are cool and gosh darn it I want a fancy toy!!

Jul 03, 2016 08:46 AM
Rainmaker
1,726,096
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

We quote the SF from the tax appraiser's records, but laser measure room perimeters. Both are required by the MLS

Jul 03, 2016 08:45 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

our mls does not require measurements....but there are spaces for it to be included..... we do not unless it's new construction and the architect provides the dimensions..... 

Jul 03, 2016 08:35 AM
Rainmaker
1,751,129
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

We have square footage because it drawn from our tax records into the MLS. Rooms sizes are up to agents to come up with. I measure them with a digital lazer. People do appreciate that info in the MLS.

Jul 03, 2016 08:18 AM
Rainmaker
5,217,392
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Use a digital tool when required to provide the information. Also provide a disclaimer. Never rely on a builder's floorplan! 

Jul 03, 2016 11:22 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Total square foot required.

Room sizes not required.

I would never measure it.

Jul 03, 2016 10:15 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Not a mandatory field 

Jul 03, 2016 10:08 PM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Measure twice for accuracy both square footage and room sizes.  Some agents use digital, other the old, handy, reliable tape measure. Our MLS requires source of data but does not require the data.  Agents are aware of law & consequences.

Jul 03, 2016 09:44 PM
Rainmaker
4,334,347
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Our MLS does not require square footage, and whenever a buyer asks for it, I know they are from out of town.

Jul 03, 2016 09:27 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I use a tape measure.

Jul 03, 2016 09:26 PM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Our MLS requires it.  I use a digital measuring device.  Every room must be measured, excluding closets. 

Jul 03, 2016 09:17 PM
Ambassador
2,161,148
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Living square footage (under heat/air) and total square footage (under roof) is required by both MLS systems I belong to and I use the information that is available from tax records.  Room sizes is mandatory for one MLS, not for the other. I round down and write a disclaimer that these are approximate and buyers are to verify. 

Jul 03, 2016 08:42 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

We do use square footage and MLS requires living room, kitchen, master bedroom. I use both floor plans and measuring.

Jul 03, 2016 02:22 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Fred Griffin our MLS has this optional. I do go by public records and previous listing data. Rarely I have measured it....

Jul 03, 2016 02:19 PM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

Our MLS requires square footage, we usually refer to public records or floor plans.

Jul 03, 2016 01:50 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Square Footage from public records and we only have to measure bedroom sizes.

Jul 03, 2016 10:35 AM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Our MLS requires SF ... I use both a measuring tape and I also have a digital/laser.  SF includes all rooms excluding bathrooms and hallways and as of this past year we now included finished areas "below ground" and those numbers get added to the "above ground" for a Total SF of property.

Jul 03, 2016 09:34 AM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Often best to use the assessors est of total sq footage, with the disclaimer.

We measure the room sizes ourselves, saves a lot of time with the may people with huge beds, tv's and other stuff.

Again with a disclaimer.

Jul 03, 2016 09:21 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Both are optional in my MLS.  Most people include room sizes but fewer include square footage.

Jul 03, 2016 09:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

I got a wheel based measurement that will measure up to 10,000 lineal foot to .1 ft.  It is used by me validating home measurements as old homes had added on over the years.  So far the buyers love the sketches. It is used to validate tax records. 

Jul 03, 2016 09:01 AM
Ambassador
3,383,334
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Our MLS requires square footage, but usually we can autofill from the tax records. 

As for room sizes, our MLS does not require it, but I take them with an ultrasonic tape measure and always round down.  When I am able to use a floor plan, I'll do that instead.  Oddly enough, most floor plans I've seen don't have measurements for kitchens though.

Jul 03, 2016 08:57 AM
Rainmaker
695,753
Nicholas Crane
Woodland Companies - Cadott, WI
Managing & Appraising Forest Land

I use a 25ft tape measure (lasers are not as reliable ie batteries die) and make a floorplan.  I include Square footage both inside(heated) and exterior. 

Jul 03, 2016 08:51 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

They sure do, most of the time is use the tax cards for SF above grade that is indeed heated. Others i use my old measuring tape

Jul 03, 2016 08:26 AM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Fred - Total square footage is required, and we can site where that info came from. Individual room sizes are not required, and I do not measure them.

I take a tape measure with me when working with buyers, and have measured individual rooms for them.

Jul 06, 2016 09:25 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Not required but there is a space for it and itis the lazy agent that does ot use it.

Jul 05, 2016 10:37 AM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

My MLS doesn't require this information. I use a laser measure. 

Jul 04, 2016 02:02 PM
Rainmaker
856,336
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Hello Fred,

   MLS requires square footage.  Can be from records, personal measurement, or sellers and must be disclosed as to the source.  Mark

Jul 04, 2016 11:52 AM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Our mls does not require then, although they do hav space for them.  Here the "official" square footage is figured by taking the building's outside dimensions and adding them up.  So the number you get is higher than measuring the rooms and adding up the area of each one.  

Jul 04, 2016 11:39 AM
Rainmaker
2,707,721
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Our MLS includes square footage from the tax records, it can be overwritten with confirmed square footage from another source i.e. appraisal, builder's information, etc...  It is always the heate/cooled space and not the overall building size.

Jul 04, 2016 10:23 AM
Rainmaker
900,278
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Sq footage yes; room sizes - do not seem to be mandatory; too many agents skip them. I use whatever public info is available and measure myself using laser. Sometimes irregular rooms are tricky. There was an agent in our town who got sued (and lost) for misrepresenting sq footage; don't know exactly what issue was, before my time.

Jul 04, 2016 06:02 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,570
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Square footage is a field to be completed for home and lot size in our mls.

Room sizes are not required.

I do not measure and cite the source(public records, builder, appraiser, seller, etc).

I do include a floor plan that has been professionally completed.

Square footage of a home is typically living space. 

 

Jul 04, 2016 03:55 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Our MLS does not require them, but I will measure for my listings unless I have floor plans available from the owner.

Jul 04, 2016 03:33 AM
Ambassador
3,345,221
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Thankfully, my MLS does not require SF room sizes.  MLS does require the overall square footage of living space and lot size which I obtain from tax records. 

I don't know how I would approach it if measurements were required. 

Jul 04, 2016 02:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Fred, unless the laser is outstanding then go to the tape measurements. I have found the cheap ones are inaccurate. Our MLS is optional on this.

Jul 04, 2016 01:50 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,716
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Yes MLS does and lucky my laser is great!

Jul 04, 2016 12:51 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,442
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

We use the square footage provided in the tax information.

Jul 03, 2016 09:51 PM