Hi,
We live in Maine and have been looking to move. We usually use Coldwell Banker's website. It is similar to realtor.com, but they almost always list approx. square footage. Most also have interior shots and addresses. I don't work for them, just like the website:) Here's a link..hope it works and good luck! Val

Here is a link that might be useful: newenglandmoves

I also live in Maine. Getting the SF of a house has never been a problem in any house we have been interested in. I think it just may be your realtor. Call up the assessor in the town that the home is in to get info on the home. Also in our town the assessment of most homes is online. SF, what the land is worth, buildings on the land, etc. are all on line. Check it out and see what info is available in that town. NancyLouise

I live in Maine as well, and getting a sf amount in our area is no problem. The issue is whether it is correct, but I imagine that happens anywhere. I calculated the square footage of our house (3800 sf), the town says it is higher, the appraiser says it is higher (but not higher than the town). I could list it at any of those figures and be covered.

The only way to know the true square footage of a house is to calculate it yourself.

I have never heard of "dollars per square foot" being used as more than a SWAG in New England. It isn't all new construction. You can't compare a new colonial to a 70s split level to a turn of the century Victorian. Even two Victorians can't be compared unless they are in the same part of town, on the same street, with the same level of finish and in the same condition.

In GA, the law doesn't require them to quote square footage and as a result you will never see sf-age listed for a ga property. So I understand your frustrations but... I looked at properties in FL and they tell you the sf'age there but is always inaccurate. I take a measuring wheel with me when looking at houses. I measure the outside, the inside and sketch the floorplan. It only takes several minutes to do.

I don't think your negotiating strategy is sound. It seems that you are trying to sneak a lower offer through the back door by hitting the seller with repair allowances. However, the seller has already shown himself to be unwilling to negotiate by refusing to counter your original offer. It's not likely he'll be willing to cough up substantial concessions based on the inspection, and you have only to read other posts on this forum to know how angry sellers of POHs can get when buyers expect them to make substantial repairs.

Knowing the sq. ft. helps to eliminate the too small or too big house from the list.

I am very uncomfortable with the tactic my agent suggested using. But on that note, I have also seen people on this forum talk about doing exactly that if there are substantial repairs. And consider this, you bid on a house that at first blush looks fine, but then the inspection comes back and there are structural issues or water issues or whatever? And particularly since tenant downstairs told us the pipes froze last month and one of them burst. Going back and finnaly getting into the ground floor apartment also revealed some spongy spots in the floor. If they accept the offer and it's in good shape, then I would honor the contract and the price we are submitting is fair, even though I think a little high, it would be a fair price. On the other hand, if there are substantial repairs, would it not be fair and reasonable to ask them to make repairs or adjust the price? The price we offered is 7% below listing for a property that has been on the market for 8 months.

Just my thoughts. Probably not worth 2 cents.

I remember looking for houses in Maine a few years ago (husband is from there and we still have family there) and as I recall the sq ft wasn't listed in the MLS. They listed the number of rooms, instead. Made me crazy.

A quick check on realtor.com for Augusta and Bangor shows the same thing - no sq ft, just the number of rooms. What if the rooms are really tiny? I don't care if there are 15 rooms if they're not the right size.

Some listings show the size of bedrooms but not the total sq ft for the house. Seems odd to me but my DH says that's the way he's always known it to be. You might try that site that valtog recommends.

As far as the repairs go and asking for money after the inspection - if you think there are going to be significant issues then I would make my offer based on that and not hope the seller will give you $$$ later. I can see getting some money for unsuspected repairs that turn up during inspection but if you're having doubts ahead of time about the amount of work that needs to be done, I don't know how to figure for that.

Minet - Some people are turned off by drapes and paint - I'm turned off by the lack of information. Outsides and pictures can be deceiving. Some agents can be quite colorful in thier descriptions too. Puffing.

Sometimes especially where you are coming from over a thousand miles away you have to rely on the advice of your realtor. I am relying on the agent to know what is acceptable and what is not.

Some towns have a website for the tax assessor and you can put in your address or the street and find the sq. footage on that site.

The whole sq. foot thing I have found is a hit or miss thing. Mostly miss. But if you ask the buyers agent will get it for you. When you live in the land of cookie cutter McHouse houses - sq. ftg. is the be all end all. :P In the land of the way life should be - not so much. That's okay I'm adaptable.