Needing a home measured? Let Martinsen Appraisal help.

Our certified appraisers will give you an accurate measurement or floorplan of your home to determine a fair value when buying or selling a home, cut down property taxes due to incorrect estimates, or market to possible buyers when selling real estate.

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What are measurement services?

A measurement service is just what it sounds like: Based on your needs, an appraiser will measure the property's dimensions and area, then draw a basic or highly detailed layout. The appraiser's report and floorplan is a form that can be used to prove a precise Gross Living Area (GLA), the total livable area, of your home. These services are useful and sometimes necessary when challenging property taxes or selling a property.

How does a home measurement or floorplan service work?

During a floorplan service, an appraiser takes measurements of your property with a measuring tool — either a tape measure or laser measuring device. As they walk the home, they note the layout of the rooms and other features, like closets, entryways, and fireplaces. They might draw a rough sketch of the property. Then, the appraiser creates a report and a more detailed floorplan showing the total living area of the home and the overall layout. The resulting report is a document that can be used to prove certain specs of your property — like the Gross Living Area (GLA) — on tax documents, home listings, and more.

When are measurement services needed?

Property taxes

Property tax records frequently reflect the wrong square footage because the values can come from many sources, and occasionally go unproven — meaning you may be taxed for more space than you actually own! Unless a certified appraiser has completed a recent evaluation or measurement service on your property (after any remodeling that might have affected square footage), you'll need one to perform a home measurement service before disputing your taxes. An appraiser determines the accurate Gross Living Area (GLA) of your property so your taxes can reflect your actual square footage — and you can stop paying more than your property is worth.

Selling your home

A measurement service will ensure that you're paid fair market value for your house. Area is one of the most important elements potential buyers look for when purchasing a house — but since square footage values are frequently approximated rather than properly measured, your listing may show less Gross Living Area (GLA) than it can take credit for. An inaccurate GLA could potentially reduce the price of the property as well as the number of potential buyers. The only dependable method of using a precise GLA when listing your property is to reference a previous appraisal or measurement service completed by a certified appraiser (after any remodeling that may have affected square footage).

For real estate agents

To ensure that your client's home closes at a price that correctly reflects market value, we recommend seeking a measurement of the property. Clients, and especially potential buyers, will be grateful for your scrupulousness, and you can be assured that the GLA on your client's listing is a true representation of their home. A floorplan can also be a wonderful marketing tactic for getting potential buyers interested because they can review the layout and attributes of the home before and after touring. Contact Martinsen Appraisal today to learn more about our floorplan services.