Realsville, USA

So, how much does square footage really matter? Can it really make that much of a difference? Let’s look at one real-life example of how “size” influences value, and see just how much consumer protection is in jeapordy.

In every appraisal report there is one automatic adjustment; the price-per-square-foot. This number is calculated based simply of the sales price and the total GLA (gross living area – above grade living area). At the top of every comparable sale, each home is listed at this powerful price-per-square-foot total.

Also in every appraisal report, there is an calculation known as the “Square Footage Adjuster.” All the comparable sales are adjusted at one time, based on a specific amount the appraiser selects. For instance, a house that sold for $150,000 may have an average adjustment of $50.00 per-square-foot. Of course, that is totally dependent of many items and each area may be different. We depend on local appraisers (and agents) to determine what that difference should be in homes that are otherwise similar. Take a look at this house that was appraised four times within two years. Each appraiser used a different square footage adjustment, and each appraiser came up with a difference value.

So, how much does square footage really matter? Can it really make that much of a difference? Let’s look at one real-life example of how “size” influences value, and see just how much consumer protection is in jeapordy.

In every appraisal report there is one automatic adjustment; the price-per-square-foot. This number is calculated based simply of the sales price and the total GLA (gross living area – above grade living area). At the top of every comparable sale, each home is listed at this powerful price-per-square-foot total. 

Also in every appraisal report, there is an calculation known as the “Square Footage Adjuster.” All the comparable sales are adjusted at one time, based on a specific amount the appraiser selects. For instance, a house that sold for $150,000 may have an average adjustment of $50.00 per-square-foot. Of course, that is totally dependent of many items and each area may be different. We depend on local appraisers (and agents) to determine what that difference should be in homes that are otherwise similar. Take a look at this house that was appraised four times within two years. Each appraiser used a different square footage adjustment, and each appraiser came up with a difference value. 

Example #2

16 different prices for the exact same house – which one is right? What would the experts say?
Appraiser “A”

2,440 sqft x $45.00 psf = $109,800
2,440 sqft x $55.00 psf = $134,200
2,440 sqft x $65.00 psf = $158,600
2,440 sqft x $70.00 psf = $170,800

Appraiser “B”

2,512 sqft x $45.00 psf = $113,040
2,512 sqft x $55.00 psf = $138,160
2,512 sqft x $65.00 psf = $163,280
2,512 sqft x $70.00 psf = $175,840

Appraiser “C”

2,360 sqft x $45.00 psf = $106,200
2,360 sqft x $55.00 psf = $129,800
2,360 sqft x $65.00 psf = $153,400
2,360 sqft x $70.00 psf = $165,200

Appraiser “D”

2,268 sqft x $45.00 psf = $102,060
2,268 sqft x $55.00 psf = $124,740
2,268 sqft x $65.00 psf = $147,420
2,268 sqft x $70.00 psf = $158,760

In our last example, the appraisers all came up with similar square footage totals, but all used different price-per-square-foot adjustments. In two years, through four appraisals, these sellers saw a square footage adjustment used of $60.00 – $75.00 – $90.00 – and the last one, $40.00 per-square-foot (which almost cost them the sale by undervaluing their home). As a real estate professional, it is sometimes hard to understand all the variations and why the “system” can’t be more precise. Just imagine the confusion by most home-owners. These consumers learned a whole new level of distrust in the real estate industry, at a time when we all need to be working hard to re-establish the integrity of home prices.

For all our talk of “standardization” and “quality,” the real estate industry does NOT have a mandated measurement standard, not any official adjustment recommendations for appraisers (or agents) to use. An underwriter, on any given day,  may see an extremely wide range of adjustments; for things ranging from price-per-square-foot, age, condition, quality, lot sizes, amenities, etc. The home valuation process is in crisis. If we want the real estate crisis to be over, we must get back to basics in home valuation. And, it all must start with the heart of valuation; size or square footage.