Home Measurement Services
How can incorrect square footage affect the sale price? If the square footage is incorrect, it can create a gap between a contract price and the appraised value. This gap can complicate the sale of the home.
As of April 1, 2022, Fannie Mae now requires appraisers to measure properties in compliance with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z765 – 2021) standard for measurement and calculation of residential property. As of November 2, 2023, Freddie Mac adopted this requirement for all one-unit properties. FHA has not yet adopted this requirement, however likely will. Click on the link to view the ANSI Fact Sheet.
Why is this important to know? One main criteria for pricing a home is square footage. Most homes are listed for sale based on the square footage reported by the County Property Appraiser (CPA). The CPA’s measurement practices are not required to conform with ANSI measurement standards.
The square footage of most properties reported by the CPA is nearly the same as ANSI compliant field measurements. However, in our observation of homes of all sizes, it is not uncommon to have an error of 2% – 10% with extreme cases in excess of 20%.
How can incorrect square footage affect the sale price? If the square footage is incorrect, it can create a gap between a contract price and the appraised value. This gap can complicate the sale of the home. The following is a simplistic example for illustration purposes:
A 2,500-sf home is listed for sale at $850,000, or $340 per square foot.
ANSI measurements result in the home having 2,375 square feet. This is a difference of 125 square feet, or 5%.
The home goes under contract with a full price offer at $340 per square foot. The 125 square foot difference creates a gap of $42,500 (125 sf x $340 per sf). This suggests that based on the correct square footage the appropriate contract price should have been closer to $800,000 ($850,000 – $42,500 = $807,500).
The question then becomes what to do about this gap. Common solutions are to: lower the contract price, have the buyer pay out of pocket for the difference, the Realtor(s) can reduce their commission, or cancel the sale. In any of these scenarios, at a minimum people walk away from the transaction dissatisfied.
Is this service right for you? As we stated above, the square footage reported by the CPA of most homes is close enough to ANSI measurements to not have a significant effect on value. If you are unsure about a complex floor plan or are just unsure about a home, our measurement service can prevent problems and liability for listings with incorrect living area.
We will measure the home to ANSI standards and provide you with a sketch and dimension list of the home for MLS and marketing purposes. You will be able to list any home with confidence, knowing that the square footage is accurate.
How much does this service cost? Pricing is based on complexity and location. The majority of homes fall into the category of the base price of $150. More complex designs and extended-distance properties can be quoted prior to setting an appointment. With the amount of positive feedback we have received from this service we are offering repeat clients discount pricing.
SDI Appraisal Mission Statement
Committed to empowering our clients with clarity and direction.
Stephen D. Ihrig II, SRA is principal of SDI Appraisal, specializing in the valuation of residential real estate. Steve has been providing appraisal and consulting services since 2003. Currently a Certified Residential Appraiser in the State of Florida, Steve was awarded the SRA designation from the Appraisal Institute.
In today’s ever-changing real estate market, utilize only the best and most qualified individuals to perform your residential appraisals. An accurate value supported by data and analysis, that reflects market trends, can hold up in any court of law, is considered a high-quality report by any lender’s underwriting system, and meets all USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) standards should be your primary objective when retaining a real estate appraiser.
Specialized Professional Education and Development
- SRA Designation, Appraisal Institute
- Private Appraisal Assignments: Attorneys, Accountants, Property Owners, Trusts & other entities
- Expert Witness Testimony
- Real Estate Finance Statistics and Valuation Modeling
- Relocation Appraisal
- REO Appraisal: Appraisal of Residential Property Foreclosure
- FHA & USDA Approved Appraiser
- Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)
- Michigan State University Alumni
20+ Years of Experience
ExcellentBased on 16 reviewsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Guillermo Martinez2024-04-12I had a great experience with SDI appraisals! Steve was very personable and he took the time to answer all of my questions. I appreciate how quick he was able to produce a report for me. I’ll be sure to use him again!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.C C2024-02-19Stephen Ihrig has been honest, diligent, communicative, and detailed in his work for me. He went above and beyond communicating with me about his services while I am in the final stages of my divorce, when the majority of our marital assets are the real estate he appraised for me. I can’t wait to have him be my expert witness for my day in Florida court. Well earned reasonable fee. 100% confidence in SDI and Stephen. I have high standards for quality and I highly recommend!!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Rhonda2023-12-15Steve is an awesome appraiser! He is very knowledgeable and goes above and beyond to help with all my appraisal related questions when needed.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Derek Golden LLC2023-06-07I recently had the pleasure of working with Stephen and SDI Appraisal and I must say I was thoroughly impressed by their professionalism and expertise. From the moment I first made contact, I felt reassured that I was in good hands. Stephen was punctual, respectful, and showed an incredible depth of knowledge about the housing market and appraisal process. He took the time to explain the entire procedure in detail, ensuring we were well-informed and comfortable every step of the way. The appraisal report itself was delivered promptly and was comprehensive, yet easy to understand. It provided valuable insights into my property's value and how it compares to others in my neighborhood. I was also impressed by the inclusion of clear, high-quality photos and detailed explanations for each valuation point. This experience has made me appreciate the value of a skilled, professional appraiser. I highly recommend Stephen and SDI Appraisal to anyone in need of a thorough and accurate home appraisal.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Debra Caponnetto2023-04-01Steve was extremely informative and professional. He did some background research without charge and recomnended that I seek someone more local based on tge purpose for my appraisal and was kind enough to provide 3 additional referrals. Couldn’t have asked for anything more from a cold call. Thanks again for all your help Steve!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Glenn Mccoy2022-11-07Steve completed an appraisal for a home equity line of credit we were seeking. I soon discovered he is a very dedicated professional; thorough, extremely knowledgable, and his analytical mind is impressive. I own a real estate brokerage, and rarely do I find an appraiser that has such a command of the nuances of my market - Steve certainly did. Thank you!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Renee Gray-Wyall2020-10-04We just received our appraisal from Stephen and could not be more pleased with his outstanding , professional and time sensitive service and expertise . The appraisal report is very thorough with 7 comparable sales and explanation for adjustments, beautiful pictures and professional presentation. We called a total of 3 appraisers in one day , Stephen was the only one that got back with us , we are so glad he did we feel blessed that we were able to snag such an experienced appraiser .Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Christina Pitchford2020-09-24Steve was very easy to work with to schedule the appraisal as quickly as possible--and then very quick to return the detailed report! Much appreciated!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Christine Burke2019-01-17I would highly recommend! I called Steve for questions about a land encroachment issue hoping he could provide some direction. He spent an hour on the phone with me, then sent me a detailed email leading me to other people and resources. All his time, FREE. Please use his company!! He is very helpful and honest!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Jenny Brimley2018-12-07They did a great job! Steve came out the day after he called and got the appraisal completed in just a couple business days! I was extremely happy with the appraisal he gave us. Will definitely recommend to anyone needing an appraisal.