How Many Square feet are in that house? Are you SURE? And does it really matter?

Home buyers usually have some idea of the approximate number of square feet they're looking for in a new home. It might be a number similar to the home they currently occupy, or it might be a larger number – based on feeling too cramped in their current home.

And of course, some might want a smaller home because they want less to clean, maintain, heat, and cool.

You might argue that the buyer doesn't really need to know the square footage. He or she can see and feel the space upon touring the home. And that's true. But not absolutely true.

If a home has been staged well and all "extra" furniture and clutter removed, it will look and feel bigger. Buyers might move in with their own furniture and find that it doesn't all fit.

And, sadly, when the square footage is misstated on a property brochure, an on-line listing, etc., it can lead to lawsuits. That's called false or deceptive advertising.

So why take a chance? When you list your home here in Vancouver, don't rely on public records. They just might be mistaken. Assist your agent in taking a true measurement. And to make things even easier for your potential buyers, measure and note the various room sizes.

Then your buyer will know whether their king size bed AND their dresser will fit in the bedroom. They'll know whether their oversized couch or their baby grand piano will find a place in their new home. They'll know whether the dining room will accommodate both the dining table that seats 12 and the chairs that go with it.

Having that information available just might be the detail that sells your home.

And when you're the buyer, take your own measurements. If you have the kind of oversized furniture I just mentioned, keep those measurements with you, so you can decide instantly whether or not they'll fit into a home you like.

Whether you're buying or selling here, take the extra few minutes to verify square footage.

I'll help.