“Foundation Size:  2,044”

If you don’t know square feet, foundation sizes, etc., let me offer a quick tutorial.

A typical 1 1/2 story home with 2,300 or so finished raised eyebrow2square feet usually has a foundation size around 1,200 square feet; another 700-800 finished square feet on the upper level; and perhaps 400-500 square feet in the lower level (commonly referred to as “basement”).

So, when you see a St. Louis Park 1 1/2 story listed with a 2,044 square foot foundation — your eyebrows certainly go (way) up.

Credibility Issue(s)

Sure enough, according to Hennepin County tax records, the home’s foundation size is 1,136 square feet.

Good Realtors — and therefore, their clients — will know that before ever setting foot in the house.

Which leaves the bigger concern:  the Seller’s (and listing agent’s) credibility on other matters, including the required Minnesota Seller’s Disclosure.

See also, “The House That Shrank”; “When .3 Looms Large.”

About the author

Ross Kaplan has 19+ years experience selling real estate all over the Twin Cities. He is also a 12-time consecutive "Super Real Estate Agent," as determined by Mpls. - St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business Magazine. Prior to becoming a Realtor, Ross was an attorney (corporate law), CPA, and entrepreneur. He holds an economics degree from Stanford.

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