Tax Records vs. MLS
I don’t know about other Buyers’ agents, but before I show clients a 1.5 story home — or one that’s billed as a 1.5 story home on MLS — I first check the county 
tax records.
When the county says “1.2 stories,” I know that any upstairs Bedroom is marginal at best, expensive storage space at worst.
P.S.: But, can’t you tell the same thing from the MLS photos?
In my experience, sometimes “yes,” sometimes “no.”
See also, “Paying Attention to What the Listing Agent Doesn’t Say”; “Question: When is a 1.5 Story Not a 1.5 Story?“; “2-Story Home Listed as 1.5 Story”; “”More Than 2 Stories?’ Sure Looks Like it to Me”; “Misstating a Home’s Square Feet”; and “Exaggerated Square Footage.“
