In some cases, the square footage is calculated based on the length and width of a home as measured by its outside walls. Just about the only thing most everyone agrees on is that basement or sub-grade living space should not be included. As a result, this has created a patchwork of inaccurate and often misrepresented home sizes across the country. As Whelan learned the hard way, our default perception is that larger homes should command higher prices. In the real estate industry, caveat emptor is the standard response by those defending this patchwork process.
At present, the Canadian Real Estate Association CREA , a trade association that represents real estate boards across the country, is currently working to develop international measurement standards but only for commercial listings. Since residential real estate transactions fall under the mandate of provincial real estate boards, there are still no plans to standardize measurements for residential listings.
Click here for more tips on how to buy a condo Click here for the top 10 mistakes new build home buyers make Click here for six mistakes new condo investors make. Ask Home Owner columnist Romana King your real estate question ». One way to protect yourself is to document your square footage requests. Vancouver real estate lawyer and consumer advocate, Ron Usher , suggests that buyers send their real estate agent an email outlining everything they are looking for in a home or condo and include your desired square footage.
Usher also suggests crossing out the stated square footage range on a Sales Contract and write in the square footage you expect typically, based on the square footage reported in the listing. For instance, if a condo is listed and the square footage is stated between and 1, square feet, cross this out and write: square feet.
Because any change in the Sales Document must be acknowledged by the other party, this forces the seller to acknowledge that this is the correct square footage of the condo by initialling the change. If, however, there is a discrepancy in the future, you have more legal recourse to support your claim if there was misrepresentation. This strategy also works for new build homes and resale homes. New home sales staff will provide square footage based on measurements of external walls.
Right or wrong, the onus is on you the buyer to confirm measurements, so do just that. Take a tape measure and measure every single room. Write down each measurement for each room on a piece of paper go ahead and use the listing itself and then include that in the Sales Agreement documentation. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines.
Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. Join the conversation Create account. Already have an account? Calgary Real Estate Council of Alberta adopts new measurement standard after home sizes inflated After a CBC investigation found a Calgary woman's home was actually 20 per cent smaller than advertised, the Real Estate Council of Alberta has announced new guidelines for home measurement in the province.
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