Measuring a subject property?

[38Scarcello]

I always measure the outside, and then tack on a few hundred
square feet. It's always easier for me to hit the number that way.

 

[starmansf]

why do we always hear from the same 4-5 people? Is this forum so weak that there aren't any other voices? I want louder voices here. I want a different perspective. Where are the younger people showing some anger? What did you do for the last 5 years?

Sometimes I think this venue is guarded by interested people who are only concerned with maintaining the status quo. This should sicken us. Don't we get this crap all day long?

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Hey, I resemble that remark! Younger people are usually rude, crude, obnoxious, tattooed, pierced, and wear baseball caps backwards and have baggy pants.

My status is very quo...and I like it that way.

 

[Renee Healion]

Old people are more able to afford the price of posting here. You did get the invoice for your 106 posts, right, Foley?

Mike Garrett is a billionaire. No one else could afford 13,000+ posts.

 

[G-man]

Well, I for one measure from the inside first. I've been doing it that way since I started ten years ago. I use one of those inexpensive ultra-sonic measuring devices from Sears or Home Depot. I find they are accurate enough for this type of work. I add 6" to take into account the normal width of the exterior wall and I find my measurements to be pretty true to the layout of the home. This also lets me draw the interior walls and prevents me from missing that 1/2 bath someone stuck in a closet or other feature. It is also very good for doing 2nd floors of Cape Cods or more contemporary homes.
I do have the advantage of usually having the exterior sketch from the county (Ohio) or township (Michigan) before I get to the home. That way I can just confirm what the assessor/auditor already has. If I find a error, which is not uncommon, I double check using exterior measurements.

 

[Mike Boyd]

Hey, I resemble that remark! Younger people are usually rude, crude, obnoxious, tattooed, pierced, and wear baseball caps backwards and have baggy pants.

My status is very quo...and I like it that way.

Very true.....besides, I have seen more new names in here recently than ever before. Maybe it's just old people who changed their names.

 

[Tom Barclay]

I may be anal about this but I measure the interior and exterior of every subject. Prevents mistakes, allows checks on exterior measurements, and allows me to draw interior walls that could be indicators of functional obsolescence. Takes a little more time, but I really inspect the interior of homes I appraise, allows me to take detailed notes of every interior room. I think it leads to a more credible report. May be overkill, but I am comfortable when I am done with the level of "inspection" I have done.

I should add that I inspected the home of a fellow local appraiser this afternoon and he said that he never measures interior dimensions. I guess it's just what you are comfortable with.