Need your property measured? Let us help.

Whitworth appraisals will provide you with an accurate sketch meeting the latest ANSI residential building standards of your property to assist in determining a fair value when buying or selling a home, cut property taxes from inaccurate public records, or market to possible clients when selling a property.

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What is a measurement or sketch service?

Sketching services are just what they sound like: Based on your requirements, an appraiser will measure the home's dimensions and square footage, then draw a basic sketch or highly detailed sketch or floorplan as requested. A sketch includes exterior walls, exterior doorways and dimensions while a floorplan also includes interior walls and doorways. The appraiser's report and sketch or floorplan is a document that can be used to prove the Gross Living Area (GLA), the total livable area, of your home and will include your basement with finished space plus porches, patios, decks and attached or built-in garages. These services are useful and sometimes necessary when challenging property taxes or selling a property.

How does a home measurement service work?

During a measurement service, a certified appraiser measures the home or property with a measuring tool — generally a tape and/or laser measuring device. As they move around the home, they note the layout of the rooms and other features, like stairs, porches, patios and garages. They might sketch the property or note measurements on an existing sketch. Then, the appraiser creates a report, sketch or detailed floorplan showing the total living area and the general layout of the home. The final product is a document that can be used to prove certain details about your property — like the Gross Living Area (GLA) — on tax documentation, property listings, and more.

When is a home measurement or floorplan service required?

Challenging property taxes

Property tax records frequently reflect incorrect square footage because the values can come from several sources, and sometimes go unproven — which means you may be taxed for more space than you actually have! Unless an appraiser has executed a recent appraisal or home measurement service on your property (after any renovation that might have affected square footage), you'll need one to perform a measurement service before attempting to challenge your taxes. An appraiser determines an accurate Gross Living Area (GLA) of your property so your taxes can reflect your actual square footage — and you can stop overpaying.

Putting a property on the market

A home measurement service will secure fair market value for your home. Living space is one of the most important factors potential buyers examine when purchasing a home — but since these values are frequently approximated rather than properly measured, your home listing may reflect less Gross Living Area (GLA) than it actually has. An inaccurate GLA not only might reduce the potential selling price of your home, but possibly even the number of interested buyers. The only sure method of using a precise GLA when listing your home is to refer to a previous appraisal or measurement service executed by a certified appraiser (after any updating that might have affected square footage).

For real estate professionals

To ensure that your client's property sells at a price that appropriately reflects true market value, we suggest requesting a sketch or floorplan service for the property. Your clients, and potential buyers, will be grateful for your scrupulousness, and you can be assured that the GLA on your client's listing is truly representative of their home. A measurement can also be a great marketing tool for attracting potential buyers because they can see the layout and characteristics of the property before and after touring. Contact Whitworth Appraisals to find out more about our home measurement and sketch or floorplan services.