It’s More Than a Matter of Inches
September 13th, 2008 categories: Military Installations, Relocating
“Why aren’t there any room sizes on the listing?”
I can’t begin to count the number of times I’ve been asked this question by prospective home buyers, whether calling to inquire about a property for sale, or after I’ve handed them a copy of the property listing. Buyers are consumers. And, in most cases, consumers want to know exactly what they’re spending their cold hard cash on. Predictably, they’re interested in knowing whether or not the property suits their needs.
Home ownership is not a “one size fits all” business. For those of us who’ve picked up a “super-sized” dining or bedroom room suite during one of our duty tours abroad (does Germany ring a bell?), room size is a vital consideration when looking at a possible next home. Not being able to fit furniture in a particular room is not an option.
Many property listings include the total finished living space, but far fewer mention or provide the size of each of the rooms inside the property. For many prospective buyers, this is information that is sorely needed when making the decision on whether a home might be suitable for occupancy.
Room sizes are included in a property listing to provide buyers with an accurate picture of the property. These sizes are normally not included for one of three reasons:
1) The seller has requested they not be included.
2) The agent has chosen not to include them.
3) The listing agent has not taken the time or made the effort to determine what the room sizes are.
Do any of these reasons make sense? Of course, the seller has the right to do whatever they choose. However, the listing agent has no excuse for not including room sizes in the property listing. Their duty is to act in the best interest of their client.
Providing information about a property, through words, pictures, or virtual tours, is the primary means of informing the viewing/shopping, or buying public what you is being sold. In selling a home, less is not more. On the contrary, home buyers want more information. The Stafford & Fredericksburg areas aren’t lacking when it comes to informed consumers. As far as our clientele is concerned, the more informative and specific a listing agent is in describing a property in the Multiple Listing Service(MLS), the better.
Fortunately, if room sizes are not included, there are a couple of ways to determine what the actual room sizes are.
First, the property made have been listed previously. If so, the room sizes may be included in the previous listing. Secondly, the listing agent, or seller, may actually have a blueprint or house plan indicating room sizes. Finally, when all else fails, you can always take measures (literally) into your own hands. When viewing the house, pull out the tape measure and measure the room sizes yourself. Believe it or not, most homeowners won’t mind. Remember, they want the home to sell! If you measuring rooms will help accomplish that, then they’ll be more than happy to oblige.
Jim,
This is a quandary I’ve had for a long time. You’re absolutely right – there is no excuse. With the significant number of listings out there, the consumer MUST eliminate homes simply by looking at the MLS entry. There is no way to tell.
Last year I had a client with a special needs child that HAD to have a bedroom that was a certain size. The buyer refused to see any home where the bedroom measurements weren’t entered or weren’t the size she needed.
I’ve heard some agents say that the measurements may make them liable if they aren’t correct. So? MAKE THEM CORRECT! If an agent can’t do something as rudimentary as measure square footage or rooms; there may be more issues that make us concerned.
Matthew – Agreed.
Besides, we know the MLS qualifier, “information deemed accurate, but not reliable” covers a lot of sins….including measuring errors.