North Carolina Square Footage Verification – support.homecoin.com

North Carolina requires that when a real estate agent lists a property, the property must be measured according to the Residential Square Footage Guidelines manual. The measurements must be done by one of the following professionals (see our provider list by county further down the article):

Measuring Service (recommended way)
Actively Licensed North Carolina Real Estate Broker
Appraiser

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I provide my own measurements?
1. No, the state requires a professional (measuring service, broker, or appraiser) come out and measure the home.
Can I use an app to provide these measurement?
1. No, the state requires a professional (measuring service, broker, or appraiser) come out and measure the home.
Can I use a previous appraisal?
1. Unfortunately, no. All measurements must be specifically determined in connection with the current transaction, per the NCREC guidelines.
Is it okay to use tax records of square footage as a source?
1. No. We will review the tax records, but they are not considered by the state to be an accurate source of information.
What happens if the square footage advertised is incorrect?
1. The NC Realtors reports that the buyer may be entitled to damages and/or rescission or reformation of the contract.
Can un-permitted sections of the house be included in the overall square footage?
1. No. It must be included separately and noted as such.
What about decks and garages?
1. Decks, balconies, porches, garages and carports should not be included in any category of finished or unfinished area.
What calculations will be included on the sketch by the professional:
1. Heated Living Area / Living Area: Must be heated “by a conventional heating system or systems (forced air, radiant, solar, etc.) that are permanently installed in the dwelling — not a portable heater or fireplace — which generates heat sufficient to make the space suitable for year-round occupancy.” and is directly accessible from other living area through a door or by heated hallway or stairway.
2. Unheated Living Area: This includes unheated or unfinished square footage above- or on-grade directly accessible from other living areas through a door or by a heated hallway or stairway that does not meet the NCREC criteria for living area, but which contributes to the value of the dwelling. Examples include, but are not limited to: unfinished attic (with permanent stairs), unfinished bonus rooms, enclosed porch, unheated sunroom, finished rooms that are unheated, and unfinished rooms that are heated).
3. Additional Square Feet: Includes heated, unheated or unfinished square footage not directly accessible from other living area through a door or by heated hallway or stairway (e.g., basement not directly accessible from the main dwelling, etc.). Additional square footage should be described in the Property Description or Agent Remarks.