I need some advice. When I go look at houses, should I bring someone to measure them? They claim some houses are 6000 sq ft, but I know better. They say the total square footage is the same as the heated square footage, which seems wrong. Plus, they want to close in three or four weeks, putting pressure on me. What do I really need to consider when looking at expensive homes? Thanks!
You can measure the home yourself! Just measure the outside and subtract non-living areas like the garage. You could hire a home inspector to measure, but that usually happens after you’re under contract. If something seems off, you can negotiate or back out if you have an inspection contingency.
Here’s a link to a property I’m looking at: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6185-Clubhouse-Dr-Rancho-Santa-Fe-CA-92067/16773267_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare
If you’re buying a $5M home, your agent should help with these questions!
I don’t trust my agent. They only get paid if I buy the house, so they’re not motivated to be skeptical. They told me I could measure after being under contract, which seems silly.
If you hire an appraiser, you can keep the appraisal to yourself. Lenders choose appraisers through services, so they won’t blacklist anyone for disagreements. You might even find measurements on the county website.
As an appraiser, I can tell you that the US adopted ANSI measuring guidelines recently. It’s best to have an appraiser measure the house, which might cost around $300. There’s also an app called CubiCasa that can help you get a rough estimate for cheaper.
Are you sure you’re not confusing the house size with the lot size?
Three to four weeks is a typical closing timeline for serious buyers.
Two weeks to inspect is tough though.
It can be tough, but if you’re looking at a big house, you should have your money and contacts for inspections lined up before you start house hunting.