There's Square Footage and There's Square Footage
 

A square foot is defined as a two-dimensional square measuring one foot on each side. If you are looking at a home that seems a little smaller than the stated square footage, it might not be your eyes. You should find out exactly what has been factored into the equation. Does the total measurement include basement space? Garage space? Deck space? unfinished bonus rooms? Space on staircases?  Some sellers or builders will include every nook and cranny to increase the square footage in order to bring the square foot price down deceiving the buyer.  So, buyers beware.   Always ask for county records!

Capital Home Builders has created this page in order to educate the consumer on how to calculate the true square footage price for the homes they are buying.

Capital Home Builders only uses under A/C square footage when pricing our homes as it should be and is being used by the construction industry in other parts of the country. Our Marketing Department has seen new home constructions  for sale in the Thomasville and South Georgia areas where others use total square footage were garages, porches, decks and unfinished bonus rooms are included in the square footage. Thus, deceiving the consumer to thinking they are paying less for square footage. See example below:
 
Square Footage - What do you mean it doesn't count?
 
Have you ever bought or sold a home and had your Real Estate agent tell you that the home has 2300 square feet, only to have the appraiser or county records say, "nope, you have 2000 square feet or less?" This is because the Real Estate agent did not do her/his job right. The Real Estate agent is a professional and is responsible for that listing. A good Real Estate agent will not just take the word of the home owner of the property but would also look at the county records to confirm the the square footage is correct. If the homeowner has added a new addition make sure that addition was done with permits. County records would provide buyers with all the information for the property they are buying. This process will minimize the buyer from any unnecessary headaches after they have purchased a property.  Sometimes homeowners convert garage or unfinished space into living in space but do not update the county records in order for their property taxes not to increase so take this into consideration because once you buy it your responsible to fix it and pay more taxes on that home. Always remember to look at all aspects of the property or when in doubt have a real estate attorney research these items for you and have peace of mind that you are buying a worthy property.
 
More Square Footage - More you will pay per month on your energy bill!
 
When buying a new home in the South Georgia Area. You should really take a look at your energy consumption. A 2000 sq. ft. home will cost you about $350.00 / Month on your energy bill and the more square footage the home has the more your energy bill will be. Having 2 A/C units or having a home with 3 water heaters will not make a home energy efficient, so when a real estate agent claims a home is energy efficient always remember to ask for the energy star seal or to show you the homes electrical bill.  Now save more then half on your energy bill with a Energy Star certified CHB Home. We will leave the extra cash savings to your discretion. Energy cost are not going down just up..
 
Questions To Ask Real Estate Agent or Brokers:
 
1. I would like to see Tax Assessors Print out for Square Footage?
 
2. I would like to know how long the exciting owner has lived in the home? Someone does not buy a home and then sell it in a month later. why? it is always the same answer relocating. I do not think so?
 
3. How many A/C units and how many water heaters did you say? This should give you an idea on how much you are going to pay on your energy bill.
 
4. Sample of Square Footage Manipulation: in Thomasville. One of the many properties in the area that the square footage does not add up.
 
 
Sample 1
 
Take Total  Asking Price of  Home / Square Footage 369,000 / 1,900 Sq.  Ft.  = $192.00 Per Sq. Ft.
 
Now  Tax Assessors Real Square Footage
369,000 / 1,782 Sq. Ft. = $207.00 Per Sq. Ft.  Real Price of Home
 
Now
Subtract 1,900 - 1,782  = 118 Sq. Ft. Over
118 Sq. Ft. X $207.00 = $24,426 Over Paying
Sample 2
 
Take Total Asking Price of Home / Square Footage
329,900 / 3,062 Sq. Ft. = $107.74 Per Sq. Ft.
 
Now Tax Assessors Real Square Footage
329,900 / 2,976 Sq. Ft. = $110.85 Per Sq. Ft. Real Price of Home
 
Now
Subtract 2,976 - 3,062 = 86 Sq. Ft. Over
86 Sq. Ft. X $110.85 = $9,533 Over Paying  

 

All Realtors are required to use the Tax Assessors records to get the actual square footage of a property. This information is not hard to get. If you find yourself in these circumstances, I would ask why the square footage information is not the same. I am sure they will tell you that the owner or the builder gave them this information, but it is the realtor’s responsibility to give you the correct information. 90% Realtor's in the Thomasville area will only show you their listings. They will not show other realtors listings, so if you happen to see the same broker's yard sign on every showing you need to find yourself anther broker. These realtors only have his/her interest in mind not yours.

 

DECEIVING SAMPLE 1

 

Finished Under A/C Square Footage
First Floor: 2,195 Sq. Ft.

Unfinished & not under A/C Square Footage
Bonus Room: 529 Sq. Ft.
Garage / Storage: 532 Sq. Ft.
Porch / Wood Decks: 557 Sq. Ft.
 
Total Sq, Ft,                 3,813 Sq. Ft.
 
Take the price and / by listed Sq. Ft. (which includes, in some cases, A/C & non A/C living area Square Footage)
 
   $489,000 / 3813 sq. ft. = $128 per sq. ft.
 
If it sounds to good to be true and you are thinking you are getting a bargain you probably should be rechecking the square footage under A/C. 

Wow ! Really Good Price?            
Price of home $489,000

 

 TRUE SAMPLE 2

Price Under A/C Living Area Only

Finished Square Footage
First Floor: 2,195 Sq. Ft.

Unfinished Square Footage
Bonus Room: 529 Sq. Ft.
Garage/Storage: 532 Sq. Ft.
Porch: 557 Sq. Ft.
 
Total Sq. Ft.                
With Bonus Room      2,724 Sq. Ft.
 
Take the price and / by under A/C and finish bonus room Square Footage.
 
   $489,000 / 2724 sq. ft. = $180 per sq. ft.
 
No Bonus Room  $489,000 / 2195 sq. ft. = $222 Sq. Ft.
 
This may be what you are actually paying per square foot. So, be sure you are clear on what you are buying .

Wow! Really Bad Price.            
Price of home $489,000