Get Email Updates
Get an email the instant your dream home hits the market with your MyLogin account
Tune into open houses, real estate talk, local biz interviews & more. Click to View
We will match you with the perfect community to fit your needs
By Blog
by Jeff Lichtenstein – Broker and Owner of Echo Fine Properties
Square footage is a key indicator of how large the area is. There are many nuances when it comes to understanding a home’s appeal and value when it comes to square footage. Much of square footage must be looked at where it’s most important. The main living area, kitchen, and master bedroom are usually the most important areas.
It is determined by multiplying the length of one wall by the length of another wall. Then adding up each room to come up with the total square feet.
Is price per square foot a good indicator of the market value of a home? Kinda, sorta, and sometimes not really. Square footage is totally in the eye of the beholder. For example, a Royal Oak model in PGA National at Gardens in the zero-lot line subdivision has 2701 square feet under air (more on under air later). Another model on the same street has 2223 square feet. If I’m listing a Royal Oak model, I pray I don’t have an intelligent doctor or worse yet a Brainiac engineer. That’s because analytical Sellers love to price by square footage. The problem is that not all square feet are created equal. The 2-story Royal Oak has all the bedrooms upstairs. The snowbirds aged 55+ all count the steps and say, “If I were younger this would be perfect”. Instead they want the 1-story 2223 square foot plan. It can be mental gymnastics to get the smart guy and the ego seller in line. Florida has a lot of these situations where you must value what is ‘good square footage’ and ‘bad square footage’.
Tips on the Buying Process in the Palm Beaches
How important is price square foot? Well, the feel of the house might be the more important value. For instance, volume ceilings might bring in lots of light, openness, and an airy feeling. Whereas a 2nd story would give you more square feet but then a ‘closed-off’ feel. There is not a square footage for measuring ceiling height even though typically a 15-foot ceiling has more value than an 8-foot ceiling, even though both would have the same square footage.
Last week I had a client who was arguing that his home should get more dollars per square foot because it was bigger than his competitor. Big difference was he had 8-foot ceilings with a big loggia overhang. That meant no blue sky and a feeling of less square footage then the smaller square foot competitor.
Last, square foot value can be confusing to the end consumer. In Florida, we refer mostly to “Under Air”. Under Air means calculating all square footage but excluding the garage and patio area. However, national Real Estate websites usually publish “total square feet” as its main feature. So, Buyers must be aware of this or could calculate square footage totally off kilter.
There is value to total square footage as well. A large patio and garage have value. And front and backyard space (which has nothing to do with square footage) has lots of value and should always be considered.
Buyers should be looking for the square footage that is most desirable for them personally. If a home has low ceiling height or not as desirable square footage, then living square footage should be taken with a grain of salt. How a home feels, what light is coming in, layout, materials used, and exposure are all factors that are often more important and are used when calculating what a home is worth.
View Top Listings in Palm Beach County
Posted in Uncategorized on March 3, 2020 at 3:56 am.
Never-before-seen-photos of your
favorite celebrity homes
Main Office
561.500.ECHODirect Line
561.500.ECHOFrom PGA National homes to Admiral Cove, you've discovered the top source of comprehensive information on homes in Northern Palm Beach County communities. Jeff Lichtenstein of Illustrated Properties is the top producing real estate agent in these locations. Jeff has sold over 300 homes, more than anyone else since 2001. He caters to the Waterfront, golf & ranch, and luxury communities here. His focus has always been on providing exceptional service, showcasing quality properties and working with quality clientele. Jeff your only choice for a real estate agent in the area if you're looking for the best. Whether you're looking to sell a home in Admiral's cove or buy one of the beautiful PGA National homes, you need to talk to Jeff Lichtenstein.
© 2021 Echo Fine Properties, All Rights Reserved. Powered by Neutrino, Inc. Authored by Jeff Lichtenstein
Use of this website and information available from it is subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions
or Create your MyHomes account today?
In only 30 seconds you will have full access to property, community info and SOLD data you can't get anywhere else.