Calculating Square Footage in Residential Properties, Part 1
In 1998 the NC Real Estate Commission approved “Guidelines” for calculating Square
Footage in residential properties. These “Guidelines” were developed to assist real estate
Brokers in measuring, calculating, and reporting the Square Footage of both attached and
detached single-family residential houses. These “Guidelines” were included as the primary
portion of the 1999-2000 NCREC Real Estate UPDATE Course. The “Guidelines” are
available in booklet form (called “The Yellow Book”), which can be ordered directly from the
NC Real Estate Commissions website (www.NCREC.gov) under the publications tab.
It is the underlying intent of the NC Real Estate Commission that these “Guidelines” will help
promote uniformity and assist brokers who provide measuring and calculating of square
footage in single-family residential properties as a service to their clients and customers.
Although NC real estate brokers are not required by the Real Estate License Law or the NC
Real Estate Commission Rules to “Report” (either orally or in writing) the square footage of
residential properties offered “For Sale” (or Rent), when brokers do “Report” square footage,
it is essential that the information they give prospective purchasers (or tenants) be accurate.
It is anticipated that these “Guidelines” will help alleviate consumer’s confusion and will have
a direct and positive impact when disclosing square footage to Sellers, Buyers, and
Tenants.
When “Reporting” square footage, real estate Brokers should carefully follow these
“Guidelines” or other comparable standards. The NC Real Estate Commission recognizes
the “American National Standard for Single-Family Residential Buildings: Square Footage-
Method for Calculating” (ANSI Z765) approved by the American National Standards
Institute originally adopted in 1996 as a comparable standard. Brokers should be prepared
to identify, when requested, the Standard they employed when measuring and calculating
square footage in residential properties.
These “Guidelines” place particular emphasis on the responsibility of brokers in their
capacity as an “Agent” under their Fiduciary Duty to their client when “Reporting” square
footage. This responsibility cannot be taken lightly because they have a North Carolina
Broker’s license.
Note: VIc will be teaching a 4 hour Elective Course on the topic of Square Footage Guidelines exclusively for START School of Real Estate. Classes will be posted soon at www.StartSchoolNC.com
The above does not constitute Legal Advice. Therefore, find a competent attorney for legal advice.
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