measuring residential square footageResidential Square Footage

The "Currency" of Real Estate
Space... the Final Frontier

Residential Living Space.
GLA, Heated, Finished,
Living Area,
Size or Square Footage.

There is currently no nationally mandated measurement standard within the real estate or appraisal industries, "Space" is the final real estate frontier. While there may always be exceptions to the "rule," we must first establish industry-wide "rules" to have exceptions to. We must boldly go into a new real estate era.

Real estate online continuing education course "Size Matters." Now approved in thirty-six states (more pending). Appraiser's Edition of "Size Matters" soon to be released. Also soon to be released by the same author: "The Appraisal Process for Real Estate Professionals." Visit Realtor University for a wide selection of real estate courses and webinars. New titles being released.

The Measure Man, LLC
26 Pinecrest Plaza
Southern Pines NC 28387
Phone 910-949-5594

Fax: 910.949.2196
sizematters@charter.net

Publications / Books

Real Estate Agents guild to measuring homesSize Matters Residential Square Footage Agent's ($24.95)

The "How To" Book For Measuring, Calculating, and Communicating Square Footage in Single-Family Dwellings.

A comprehensive look at the art of measuring a single-family home. Taught by a Certified Residential Appraiser, this is the same methodology used by national builders, designers, architects, agents and appraisers. This method of calculating square footage is used by companies such as Centex Homes ®, Donald Gardner Architects, Inc.®.

Read More on "Size Matters!" Agent's Edition

The "AMS" has provided accurate square footage measurements utilized in the real estate and mortgage industries for generations. The enclosed methodology is accepted by HUD, VA, FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This book will teach you everything you need to know about measuring a house. It will also show you the many ways "size" is used throughout the real estate industry to influence values. This book will educate, enlighten, entertain, and surprise you. It will make you re-think the way you view square footage and the real estate valuation process. You will discover the way television uses square footage and is teaching a whole new generation how to calculate value based only on two numbers; the "sales price" and the "size." A simple calculation with a great deal of power. The sales price is a verifiable fact. The size, well that's another story.

All the components of a single-family home are measured by some national or international measurement standard. However, once all these products are combined to create a home, there is no universal standard. The real estate (or appraisal) industry does not provide or require any measurement standard. The most basic component, the "currency" of real estate, is currently being created by a hodge-podge of methods across the country.

At the end of the day, size influences value. This data will influence many sales that follow, like a domino tumbling across miles. Once sold and written, it is considered a fact. MLS is the most trusted source of real estate information in the world. That's power! Every person with an interest in real estate will learn something new. A closer look at appraisers, lenders, builders, MLS, AVM's, public records, new construction, and so much more. Size influences value and that "size" is often subjective.

180+ pages with over 30 sketches. If you want to learn how to measure a house, this is the most comprehensive book available. Full book review available in the "Appraisal Journal." Satisfaction Guaranteed!

  • The Secret Life of "Comps"
  • How to measure stairs and second stories like the pros
  • The Power of MLS
  • New Square Footage Disclosure
  • Everything you need to know to professionally measure a house

Close Info on "Size Matters!" Agent's Edition ^

Real Estate Appraiser House Measurement handbookSize Matters Residential Square Footage Appraiser's Edition ($36.95)

The most complete teaching guideline available today. This advanced textbook covers everything you always wanted to know about measuring a single-family home. Measuring, calculating, and reporting residential square footage is truly an art, and a subject which has previously offered limited educational opportunities. Once you receive a state license, you are the ultimate square footage expert. Learning to create accurate square footage is one of the most fundamental parts of the appraisal process. All the comparisons that follow are influenced by this first step. "Size" impacts every residential valuation.

 

Read More on "Size Matters!" Apraiser's Edition

This book will show you the many ways "size" is used to influence value. We'll look closely at "Public Records" and "AVM's." The growing use of public records for square footage details is changing the future of the entire real estate industry. "The most trusted source of real estate information in the world" is quickly changing. Large amounts of information should never be confused with knowledge. The internet and public records can never replace a local real estate professional. We'll discover the good, bad, and the ugly of the "MLS" and county tax records.

The enclosed method of calculating square footage is used by agents, appraisers, builders and architects. It is also the choice of national companies such as Centex Homes ®, Donald Gardner Architects, Inc.®, and featured on numerous on-line house plan sites such as eplans.com® and houseplans.com®. It is accepted by HUD, VA, FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

This book offers the most detailed look at measuring residential square footage available today, plus a look inside the business and the future of real estate. An insider's view of agents, appraisers, lenders, builders, "MLS," and so much more.
Size Matters! Residential Square Footage - Appraiser's Edition. Over 200 pages with 30 sketches and illustrations. If you want to learn how to measure a house, this is the most comprehensive book available. Every professional should own a copy. You will learn something new and satisfaction is guaranteed.

  • Who's Measuring America?
  • Real Estate's Newest Niche "Sizemologists"
  • The Power of "MLS"
  • New Square Footage Disclosure Form
  • Appraiser - The Ultimate Square Footage Expert
  • Change the Size - Change the Value
  • Everything you need to know to properly measure a house

Close Info on "Size Matters!" Appraiser's Edition ^

Real Estate Appraiser House Measurement handbookSolving the SqFt Puzzle ($24.95)

The most complete teaching guideline available today. This advanced textbook covers everything you always wanted to know about measuring a single-family home. Measuring, calculating, and reporting residential square footage is truly an art, and a subject which has previously offered limited educational opportunities. Once you receive a state license, you are the ultimate square footage expert. Learning to create accurate square footage is one of the most fundamental parts of the appraisal process. All the comparisons that follow are influenced by this first step. "Size" impacts every residential valuation.


Read More on "Size Matters!" Apraiser's Edition

This book will show you the many ways "size" is used to influence value. We'll look closely at "Public Records" and "AVM's." The growing use of public records for square footage details is changing the future of the entire real estate industry. "The most trusted source of real estate information in the world" is quickly changing. Large amounts of information should never be confused with knowledge. The internet and public records can never replace a local real estate professional. We'll discover the good, bad, and the ugly of the "MLS" and county tax records.

The enclosed method of calculating square footage is used by agents, appraisers, builders and architects. It is also the choice of national companies such as Centex Homes ®, Donald Gardner Architects, Inc.®, and featured on numerous on-line house plan sites such as eplans.com® and houseplans.com®. It is accepted by HUD, VA, FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

This book offers the most detailed look at measuring residential square footage available today, plus a look inside the business and the future of real estate. An insider's view of agents, appraisers, lenders, builders, "MLS," and so much more.
Size Matters! Residential Square Footage - Appraiser's Edition. Over 200 pages with 30 sketches and illustrations. If you want to learn how to measure a house, this is the most comprehensive book available. Every professional should own a copy. You will learn something new and satisfaction is guaranteed.

  • Who's Measuring America?
  • Real Estate's Newest Niche "Sizemologists"
  • The Power of "MLS"
  • New Square Footage Disclosure Form
  • Appraiser - The Ultimate Square Footage Expert
  • Change the Size - Change the Value
  • Everything you need to know to properly measure a house

Close Info on "Size Matters!" Appraiser's Edition ^

Measurement Standards for Residential Real Estate American Measurement Standard
($22.95 print, $14.95 PDF)
Print or PDF

The "American Measurement Standard" is just what the name implies. This method for measuring a single-family home is a "standard" used across the U.S. by working real estate professionals, appraisers, assessors, and many others, including leading national companies like Centex Homes® and Donald Gardner Architects, Inc.®.

Read More on The American Measurement Standard

It has provided accurate square footage measurements used by appraisers in the mortgage loan process for generations. Agents, appraisers, assessors, adjusters, and more, all use this time-honored method of measuring a single-family house. This previously unwritten guideline is accepted by FHA, VA, HUD, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and has been used by real estate professionals for many generations. It has provided millions of square footage calculations used in MLS listings and appraisals for federally regulated mortgage transactions. It is exactly what the name implies: the American Measurement Standard. A voluntary Guideline presented for the measurement of square footage in single-family dwellings. This publication provides specific definitions, procedures, and detailed illustrations. It was specifically developed to allow for the consistent creation, calculation, & communication of residential square footage, and is suitable for use as a formal measurement standard and source of disclosure. Created by a consensus of real estate professionals with over 175 years of combined experience.

A historic tradition with modern sensibility.

  • Fundamentals of Square Footage
  • For Agents, Appraisers, & Anyone with an interest in learning the art of residential square footage measurement
  • Stairs, Upper Levels, Basements, Sloped Ceilings, "finished" vs "unfinished" & much more
  • Definitions & Descriptions
  • 68 Pages With Detailed Illustrations
  • Accepted by HUD, VA, FHA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac

This "standard" provides a comprehensive data source which helps to promote the public trust in the private real estate information system (MLS). As the world gets smaller and communication methods continue to improve, the real estate industry must provide an internationally recognized square footage "language." Square footage information is currently provided by a hodge-podge of methods across the country. Agents, appraisers, builders, architects, and property assessors all have their own unique system of creating and reporting square footage data. That data (which is created by many different methods) is then shared between these professionals, often providing "apples to oranges" home comparisons. The value of a home is often dependant on who takes the measurements. The "American Measurement Standard" offers a specific method to consistently create residential square footage; the "currency" of real estate and the very foundation of property value. While there will always be exceptions to the "rule," the real estate industry must find a way to agree on one measurement method and establish industry-wide "rules" which are mandated by all real estate practitioners.

The "American Measurement Standard" is the most comprehensive measurement guideline available today. Before you buy or sell your next home, have it professionally measured; Size Matters!

Close Info on The American Measurement Standard ^

About Appraisers And the New Appraisal ProcessWhat Every Agent Should Know Appraisers & the Appraisal Process ($19.95)

This book was developed with the intention of taking brokers and agents inside the appraiser's role in the overall home-buying process. This book will help you separate fact from fiction. We will reveal appraisal secrets used in creating comparable adjustments and learn the inside stuff on appraisers and measuring square footage.




Read More on "What Every Agent Should Know about Appraisers and the New Appraisal Process

We will take you inside the appraisal process and clear up many misconceptions agents have about appraisers and appraisals, and we'll also discuss the many illusions appraisers have about brokers and selling real estate.Students will gain a new understanding of the relationship between agents and appraisers. We will closely examine the appraiser's purpose and process. Discover what every agent should know about appraisers, appraisals, and the new appraisal process. Written in an easy to understand, down to earth fashion, this book will aid licensees in better understanding an appraiser's responsibilities, goals, and the reporting procedure; so they can better support their clients through the mortgage loan and appraisal process. This book will offer you the tools you need to understand the entire appraisal operation and help you get to more closings.

Close Info on "What Every Agent Should Know About Appraisers and the New Appraisal Process" ^

Real Estate Appraiser House Measurement handbookThe Professional's Dictionary of Real Estate Terms ($26.95)

The Professional's Dictionary of Real Estate Terms. Created specifically for real estate practitioners who need to know the new language of real estate. Includes definitions from the American Measurement Standard®; terms and definitions not available from any other source. As the overall real estate market changes, and as the internet continues to bring the real estate world closer together, it's never been more important for all real estate professionals to communicate in one universal language of real estate. A real estate dictionary, encyclopedia, and reference book; it will prove a thorough, easy to use guide to the new language of real estate. For agents, appraisers, assessors, adjusters, or anyone with an interest in learning real estate terminology. A comprehensive guide to the new world, and the new words of real estate. Published by the Institute of Housing Technologies, LLC. 2010 USA.

Real Estate Appraiser House Measurement handbookHouse Measurement Basics ($19.95)

Measure square footage like the pros. Measurement basics. The fundamental practices and procedures for measuring a single-family house. Textbook and study guide. Learn the tips and tricks the pro's use. The complete resource for learning the art of measuring residential square footage.

The death of an industry - real estate appraisalDeath of an Industry-Real Estate Appraisal ($24.95)

Did the appraisal industry get turned upside down and inside out for a reason? Who gains from the chaos caused by the reinvention of the appraisal industry? Who gains and who loses? Consumers will pay the ultimate price and the appraisal industry will be remembered as a victim of this current real estate crisis. The lending industry continues to follow the "Golden Rule," the one with the gold makes the rules!


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