QandAs: Home

Are Garages included in the Square Footage of a Home?

Home & Garden - Real Estate

Answer:
Normally, only actual living spaces or air conditioned square footage

are included in the square footage numbers of real estate property advertisement descriptions. However, some real estate agents and brokers, or property owners may unwittingly calculate incorrectly (i.e., not according to accepted or regulated practices).

Real estate which includes garage space is typically measured and advertised without including garage space in the total square footage figures.

If you decide to sell your home, consider hiring a professional appraiser to give you an accurate square footage measurement, because calculating square footage is not simply measuring the length and width of the whole house. The professionals take into account a number of factors, including walls and other infringements on overall useable square footage.

One of the dangers of attempting to calculate square footage yourself is the possibility of misrepresenting what is considered acceptable square footage to include in total figures. Potential buyers need to know that advertised figures are based on accepted practices for calculating them, and misrepresenting them (even unintentionally) could lead to legal issues.

Your State Real Estate Commission very likely publishes guidelines for acceptable measuring and advertising square-footage figures. Learn those guidelines before you put your house up for sale.