Needing a property measured? Let us help.Our certified appraisers can provide you with an accurate measurement of your property's dimensions to determine a fair value when buying or selling a home, lower property taxes as a result of inaccurate estimates, or market to possible clients when selling real estate. Get your measurement service from Principal Appraisal Get a quote onlineWhat is a measurement or floorplan service?Measurement services are just what they sound like: An appraiser measures the dimensions and square footage of a property, then draws a basic or highly detailed floorplan based on what you need. The appraiser's report and floorplan is a document that can be used to prove an accurate Gross Living Area (GLA), the total livable space, of your home. These services are helpful and sometimes essential when challenging property taxes or selling a property. How does a home measurement or floorplan service work?During a measurement or floorplan service, a certified appraiser takes measurements of your home with a measuring tool — either a tape measure or laser measuring device. As they walk the home, they note the layout of the rooms and other features, like stairs, hallways, and fireplaces. They might draw a rough sketch of the property. Then, the appraiser develops a report and a more detailed sketch showing the total living area and the general layout of the home. The finished product is a document that can be used to prove certain specs of your property — like the Gross Living Area (GLA) — on tax documents, home listings, and more. When should I get a measurement service?Real estate taxesProperty tax records frequently reflect incorrect area of a property because the values can come from several sources, and occasionally go unproven — which means you may be taxed for more space than you own! Unless an appraiser has executed a recent appraisal or measurement service on your property (after any renovation that may have affected square footage), you'll need an appraiser to perform a home measurement service before disputing what you're taxed. An appraiser determines an accurate Gross Living Area (GLA) of your property so your taxes reflect the actual square footage — and you can stop paying more than your property is worth. Selling your homeA measuring service can secure a fair price for your home. Square footage is one of the biggest factors potential buyers examine when purchasing a home — but since these values are frequently estimated rather than accurately measured, your property listing might show less Gross Living Area (GLA) than it actually has. An inaccurate GLA not only reduces the potential selling price for your property, but possibly even the amount of interested buyers. The only dependable method of using a definitive GLA when listing your home is to refer to a previous appraisal or measurement service executed by a certified appraiser (after any updating that might have affected square footage). Material for real estate agentsTo make sure that your client's home closes at a price that properly reflects true market value, we advise seeking a measurement of the property. Clients, and potential buyers, will be grateful for your eye for detail, and you can be certain that the GLA on your client's listing is a true representation of their home. A measurement can also be a great marketing tactic for enticing potential buyers since they can see the layout and features of the house before and after a tour. Contact Principal Appraisal today to learn more about our measurement services. |