3.6 UAD - Measuring Condo's

[BobH]

Has anyone got a handle yet on how the GSE's want us to measure condo's for the 3.6 UAD format. It was always paint to paint, now it's GBA. Is that for the subject unit or the entire building. (example A townhouse unit is the subject in a line of attached townhomes; 5-10 whatever. Do we have to measure all 5-10 to figure out a GBA for all or just the subject unit?

 

[Carnivore]

You know That's a good one your asking. Imagine a in a 24 story condo Tower and 12th story the unit has a hinged porch door and not all of them are the same

so here is the answer from AI-Copilot

Here’s the clean, practical answer appraisers have been hashing out about this exact issue — and the good news is that it’s simpler than it sounds.

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Not the entire building. Not all 5–10 attached townhomes. Not the whole condo complex.


The GSEs’ updated UAD spec requires Gross Building Area (GBA) instead of “paint‑to‑paint,” but the measurement still applies only to the subject property you are appraising.

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Even though the term “building” sounds like it refers to the whole structure, in appraisal practice for condos, townhomes, and rowhouses, GBA = the total finished, above‑grade area of the subject unit.

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The GSEs do not expect — and would never require — an appraiser to measure multiple privately owned units just to complete a single appraisa

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The shift from “paint‑to‑paint” to GBA is a terminology and standardization update, not a requirement to measure entire buildings.

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You appraise Unit #4.


You measure only Unit #4:

• Exterior dimensions of the subject
• Include all above‑grade finished area
• Exclude other units entirely
• Do not measure the entire row or calculate a combined GBA

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For condos, GBA is still the interior finished area because you cannot measure exterior walls.
For townhomes/rowhouses, GBA is typically measured to the exterior walls of the subject unit.


But again — only the subject unit.

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[Carnivore]

Why exterior measurement is often impossible for condos​

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Most condo buildings have:

• Locked perimeters
• No ground‑level access
• Landscaping, retaining walls, or drop‑offs
• Shared walls that make exterior measurement meaningless

 

[BobH]

Thanks for the reply, but I heard that we had to include common areas like stairwells, hallways and the like. I agree that it should only be the subject unit, everything else is meaningless and colectively owned by the unit owners, (area in common). They should just make it more clear. It would make for a great 3-7 hr course for CE. Measuring condos for 3.6 UAD all scenarios.