Inflated square footage?

SF is often measured from the center line of the sole plate/track of the wall. So you may make up some of that SF there. If it's a 5" thick wall, figure roughly one SF for every 5' of wall.

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 9:24 AM

also, they can fudge by a certain percentage before being legally liable. another thing is sometimes common areas on your floor, like a landing by the elevators and included in the living space.

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 9:31 AM

Typical. It's usually outside wall to outside wall. My condo in Cobble Hill lists at 963 but is more like 840 or so if you actually measure.

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 9:39 AM

and if this is is condo, you're also paying for a portion of the mechanical duct shaft between apartments...and the plumbing chases in your kitchen/baths.

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 11:04 AM

The NY Times did an article about this very subject a few months back, and what they found is that there is no universal method used to measure SF, nor do any laws seem to be enforced to ensure that sellers/developers/realtors get it right. Recently some new condo owner sued a developer in downtown BK for misrepresenting the SF on pre-construction blueprints. The actual SF once the condo was built turned out to be a good deal less than was on the floorplan - will be interesting to track that story.

I think many condos measure to the outside edge of the exterior wall (which can easily add a foot more unusable space X whatever length) and also include the common space shared among units, including hallways. They often tell you they are not responsible for "cutouts" and "normal construction tolerances" but personally I think there should be a rule to only include measured space actually inside the unit.

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 11:40 AM

It's shocking to learn that there is no universal method for measuring square footage based SOLELY on USABLE space.

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 11:57 AM

Real Estate Board of New York has set standards for calculating square footages as does BOMA.

http://www.buildingareameasurement.com/fams.htm
http://www.rebny.com/

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 1:00 PM

Thanks for the link, 1:00PM. The dozen "standards" listed prove just how insane this whole thing is.

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 1:32 PM

I wonder why it really matters at all.

Isn't the most important thing -- CAN I LIVE IN THE USABLE SQUARE FOOTAGE? Does it provide me a comfortable living environment?

Using the square footage #s to validate your apartment really seems useless.

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 2:05 PM

Not true, 2:05. How are you supposed to have a ballpark/average figure to determine a buying/selling price if you don't know how large a space is. Give me a break.

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 2:42 PM

I posted about this a few days ago. square footage is a total crock. It is totally false half the time. measure the space yourself and don't believe the realtor. It is a false business practice plain and simple but no politician has yet taken it on.

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 2:42 PM

It matters because in order to trick the public, realtors and developers use "price per square feet" to compare listings and of course the square feet are completely manipulated. And the best part is that nobody goes to jail.

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 2:45 PM

Square footage in a condo can include "limited common elements" and may be measured to the exterior walls. You also have to include closets, bathrooms, space beneath the radiators, etc.

I'm a broker and I will list the SF of a condo as it is stated in the prospectus. I don't put square footage for coops as it is not stated in the offering plan. When asked I'll tell the truth & say I don't know --which will start you all bitching about how brokers who don't know their properties--yet if I gave you a number that was 1SF off you'd bitch about lying thieving brokers (and try to sue me).

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 3:13 PM

well I'm all for suing brokers when they deserve it, but I do not think people would call you a liar if you were off by one square foot. You are insulting your clients intelligence. Of course one includes closets and the space under the radiator -do you really think that is what we are talking about here? We are talking about the false business practise of inflating square footage by a factor of ten to thirty percent. And then using the inflated square footge to show what a bargain per square foot the property is. that is what we are talking about.

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 3:20 PM

I can't tell you how many times I've been out to look at houses that our for sale and the square footage advertised does not even match the floor plan provided by the real estate agent. I recently saw a 3 story in Bed Sty thatt was listed at 0ver 4000 sq ft, but the floor plan provided by the broker only added up to 1000 sq ft less than this-- even if you included the cellar! I suspect that since the mistake is almost always an inflation of the square footage, that there's reason to be suspicious of intent.

Buyer beware.

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 3:34 PM

buyer be very aware, you said it 2:34!
Do not take any shit from lame-brain brokers who tell you: well we include the space beneath the radiator. What snakes!!

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 8:07 PM

I see the realtors sort of circling the wagons here. They don't like this talk so they're all -oh well, we always include the thickness of the walls, we always include the area under the radiators, and what does it matter anyway if the space is pretty?

Buyer beware!!!!

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 8:10 PM