Measuring square footage is one of the fundamentals of the residential real estate business. How can one arrive at an accurate value without adjusting for the square footage differences between homes? Quite simply, one cannot. How can an agent represent the best interests of their buyer or seller client without having the ability to accurately measure a homes square footage and adjust for differences in square footage to arrive at value. Quite simply, one cannot. An estimate of value is just that, an esitmate. The closer the agent is able to estimate the value of a home the greater their value to their client. Can an agent live up to the principles of both agency law and the code of ethics without the knowledge and ability to adjust for differences in square footage? I say no. One does not have to publish one's results in the MLS. And getting a disclaimer from the buyer or seller is a good idea. But to avoid doing one's job because of risk is inexcusible. This is a point of differentiation between the professional agent and the business agent. A CMA might as well be called a SWAG for all the good it is. Valuation courses are available locally from appraisal organizations. My advice to agents is to get educated. The best of your competition is.

Back to Previous Post Printer Friendly Version | E-mail This Article to a Friend