Arizona: Square footage must be verified by buyer during inspection period.

[Nick Gromicko]

http://www.arizonarealestatenotebook...e_verifie.html

[bsumpter]

Looks like a job for the appraiser.

[Keith Swift, PhD.]

Brian's right. However, there's always a potential for a lawsuit. and inspectors should pay attention to square footage, not necessarily by measuring but by being alert for any potentially bootlegged additions, which the seller wants to include as legal square footage, but which is not "legitimate" square footage.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by kswift

Brian's right. However, there's always a potential for a lawsuit. and inspectors should pay attention to square footage, not necessarily by measuring but by being alert for any potentially bootlegged additions, which the seller wants to include as legal square footage, but which is not "legitimate" square footage.

"During the inspection period" does not necessarily make this a part of the inspection. If it is not a part of the SOP, it is not a part of the inspection - thus, the potential for lawsuits should be zero to none, as long as one inspects by the SOP, IMO.

[Keith Swift, PhD.]

True, James, but the point is that standards will serve you in court, but the trick is to avoid being there. Once you've been named you've lost, even when you win.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by bsumpter

Looks like a job for the appraiser.

Yeppers

Keith, being State Certified we are not required to, nor responsible for the alleged size of the house. That responsiblity lies with the appraiser and or the county tax assesor.

[Keith Swift, PhD.]

Agreed, double agreed. My standards absolve me from a mold inspection. In addition, I have my clients initial a clause in my contracts which states that they understand that. Guess who's currently involved in a mold lawsuit? That's right. My point is, if I think the square footage is not correct or may include additions, I'm commenting on it and disclaiming it. I may sound like a paranoid XXXX, but I'm not. I've document judicial abuse in my book Inspect and Protect, which is so absurd as to seem untrue or comical, but unfortunately it's real and I have the case numbers to prove it.

[Justin Watts]

Disclose, Disclose, Disclose...... I "disclose" everything I see.... don't be shy, if something doesn't look right, it probably isn't.

I have inspected so many properties that have unpermitted room additions, garage conversions, you name it! If I see it, I disclose it.... and the FIRST PAGE on my report tells my clients to "VERIFY" all City/County Building Permits recorded on the property..... and if I am "alarming" them to a "probable" unpermitted room addition then the responsibility is up to them to deal with it.....

Let the agents, the appraisers, and everyone else get sued.... They can try to suck me in all they want... but my report will have it all "disclosed"....