Square footage GLA

[gerard20]

The square footage on the tax records does not exist! The city will not call me back! I do not want to guesstimate the comparables GLA. Just looking to find out what others are doing out there for cases like this? Thanks in advance.

 

[PropertyEconomics]

How about calling the listing agent????

 

[Randolph Kinney]

The square footage on the tax records does not exist! The city will not call me back! I do not want to guesstimate the comparables GLA. Just looking to find out what others are doing out there for cases like this? Thanks in advance.

Try Zillow? Try Zaio zone owner? Or you can offer to measure the property for free.

 

[TJSum]

Measure it the best you can that the situation allows (trespassing laws, fencing, landscaping, dogs, etc.). Believe it or not that is how it was done in the old days (not too long ago).

P.S. I don't know how much I would trust the agents GLA numbers, very few have a clue how to measure properly.

 

[Kevin A. Spellman]

Upload a photo and let us guess for you.

 

[CANative]

Call the agents (listing and selling) and ask them while you're discussing the terms of the sale and the condition of the property. Take an extra 30 secconds while inspecting from the street. Don't make GLA adjustments for small differences unless the market is supersensitive to selling price based on living area.

Be reasonable and explain your methods and conclusions. Don't stress out.

 

[c w d]

All of my coverage area counties report GLA except on really new homes. However, I have one county that doesn't report anything else except GLA for certain areas. I have used extraordinary assumptions about number of bedrooms and bathrooms in order to grid them. I've never had a problem from UW's doing so. GLA may be different as it is the single largest factor of value of a property aside from the occasional uber expensive lots.

I would most likely go to the county property appraiser's office personally. In my home county, if you get there early enough there is usually noone else waiting though you will still be required to take a number and sit down until the counter attendant finishes her breakfast.

I seriously doubt that if you went personally that you wouldn't be able to get the GLA. After all, it is part of the characteristics used to TAX.

 

[Mike Boyd]

The square footage on the tax records does not exist! The city will not call me back! I do not want to guesstimate the comparables GLA. Just looking to find out what others are doing out there for cases like this? Thanks in advance.

Call your assessor's office and ask to speak with the appraiser who is responsible for appraisals on zzz street. Do not identify yourself as an appraiser. If you are on the FHA roster you can say you are from HUD. Since counties are always looking for HUD grants, I can almost guaranty you will get someone on the phone.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Personal visit to the Assessor's and Building/Zoning offices. Many municipalities will NOT divulge info over the phone......some may also require filling out a FOIL....Freedom of Information Act form.

 

[gerard20]

Thank you everyone for your reply's. I don't know how many of you guys are from the great state of New Jersey out there, but if you don't know, let me tell you that in some cities (In this case Jersey City) the tax office personnel aren't to helpful and the information is usually older then dirt. Never mind the Parking to go into the City Hall $$. Also in the past I came across a few Part Time tax assesors and no one else wants to do the others(tax assesors) job.

I spoke to a friend of mine who is a General appraiser and is now a Tax Assessor and he briefly told me (He was at a family party and couldn't get into it) about using the equalized assessed value to compare the properties if the Sq. Ft. isn't available. Anyone know anything about this? Thanks again for you time!