If you're shopping for a home, there's something very important you should know.
Two homes that seem to have the same square footage might not really have the same square footage.
Here's the deal: The square footage of a house or condo can be totaled in different ways, depending on who's doing the totaling.
For example, some listings include an unfinished basement as part of the footage total while others don't. Or some include the garage, balcony, and laundry space. Some builders calculate based on exterior-wall dimensions while others only state the combined area of the rooms. In a Chicago Tribune article, one advisor says there's only one way to really know how much house you're getting for your money: Measure it for yourself.
This advice comes courtesy of the National Association of Realtors. Buying or selling a home is no small task. You need a professional you can trust to guide you and answer your questions. Make sure to ask your agent if they're a realtor   a member of the National Association of Realtors.