NOVEMBER 27, 2019 • Volume 14 • Issue 48
RE WEEKLY RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT 515-233-3299 • 317 5th Street, Ames • All REALTOR® ads within are REALTORS® licensed in the State of Iowa
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Page RE2 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, November 27, 2019
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DEAR MONTY What to do about an incompetent agent
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
R
eader question:
We bought a home subject to obtaining a mortgage. Our Realtor drafted the contract with a 20-day drop-dead date on the inspection and appraisal. She pointed out we could jeopardize our deposit if we missed these dates. Then she delivered
the documents to the bank five days late. She denied it, but the lender verified she had lied. We didn’t want to order the inspection and appraisal until the bank approved us, subject to satisfactory results on the two investigations, so as not to spend the money until we had the loan. But because of the fear of losing our deposit, we ordered them. A week later, the bank turned us down. We canceled the appraisal, but they had completed the inspection. She wouldn’t return calls or emails looking for our deposit and a refund for the inspection. Her broker and the banker helped us get our deposit, but no refund on the inspection. The banker told us he had never seen such an incompetent agent. Will a complaint result in a
home inspection refund and a warning to other homebuyers about this agent? Monty’s answer: While you have provided much anecdotal information, there must be hard evidence to demonstrate this transaction took place in the fashion you describe. Contracts, emails, voice mail and written notes you scribed. Did the lender comment in writing? Will he? The broker is responsible for the acts of their agents. Did you ask the broker to reimburse you? The best chance to warn other customers is to file a complaint with the licensing authority in your state. They are there to protect consumers and enforce the rules to prevent the public from licensees that do not know or follow the rules. Most states have websites that allow
you to file a complaint online, or you can submit a claim in person or by mail. Additionally, many states have consumer protection agencies separate from the license law authorities that will also investigate complaints. Websites such as Zillow and Trulia offer a venue for customers to comment on the service they received. Richard Montgomery is the author of “House Money - An Insider’s Secrets to Saving ThousandsWhen You Buy or Sell a Home.” He advocates industry reform and offers readers unbiased real estateadvice. Follow him on Twitter at @ dearmonty, or at DearMonty.com.
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, November 27, 2019 • Page RE5
How to calculate
SQUARE FOOTAGE for home improvement projects
By Laura Firszt More Content Now
W
hat’s the most valuable home improvement skill? Learning to calculate square footage ranks right up there. Accurate measurements mean you’ll buy the correct amount of supplies and get your project done right. Find out just how simple it is.
What is square footage? Also known as area, square footage is the two-dimensional measurement of a flat surface. In home improvement terms, this measurement is essential for accurately figuring quantities of material you’ll need.
calculator. It does the math for you — even if you have to calculate the square footage of multiple surfaces. Very handy when, say, you plan to paint the walls of a room.
Popular projects where you need to calculate • Remodeling and construction — house addition, shed • Flooring — hardwood, laminate, vinyl, etc. • Heating, cooling — insulation • Landscaping — garden beds, container gardens, fishpond • Painting — walls, ceiling, accent wall, shelving • Tile — backsplash, floor, patio
Calculate square footage
Home improvement measurement guide
Square footage = length (or height, for vertical surfaces) x width. That’s the basic formula to calculate square footage. Simple, right? Examples: Square footage of a floor 15 feet long and 10 feet wide = 15 times 10, or 150 square feet. Square footage of a wall 8 feet high and 12 feet wide = 8 x 12, or 96 square feet. To make things even simpler, check out a construction square footage
1 square foot = 144 square inches 1 square foot = 0.1111 square yard 1 square foot = 0.0929 square meter (Important for ordering materials from abroad. To easily convert from square meters to square feet, use this ballpark figure: 1 square meter = roughly 10 sq ft.) Cubic footage = length x width x depth. (Some home improvement materials, for example topsoil, are
sold according to cubic footage, AKA volume; cubic footage is a three dimensional measurement.) Gross square footage: When you sell a home, your real estate broker will calculate its square footage according to its exterior measurements (minus any unheated spaces, like an unfinished basement).
Good questions 1. How do I calculate square footage when my measurements include inches? Convert inches to a percentage of a foot. For instance, 6 inches is 0.5 foot. 2. What’s the difference between a square foot, linear foot and board foot? A square foot is a two-dimensional measurement, as explained above. To illustrate, if you want to order a kitchen countertop 6 feet long X 2 feet, calculate its square footage by multiplying these numbers, for a result of 12 square ft. A linear foot (AKA lineal foot or running foot) is a one-dimensional measurement. Taking that same kitchen countertop example, if you want a beveled edge along the length, it will come to 6 linear feet.
A board foot is a three-dimensional measurement. Construction lumber is supplied by the board foot, which is 1 foot (12 inches) x 1 foot (12 inches) x 1 inch, for a volume of 144 inches. 3. Will I need a permit to build a shed, install a concrete slab, etc.? The answer often depends on the planned square footage of your project. Consult your local building authority for specifications in your region. 4. Will adding to my home’s square footage increase my property tax? When you hire a contractor for a home addition or other remodel (as opposed to simply redecorating), a property tax hike is likely. However, generally your state government will assess based on the dollar increase in your home’s value, rather than the new square footage. 5. When do I need to calculate cubic footage vs. square footage? You’ll need to calculate square footage (area) for two-dimensional projects such as installing a new floor. Calculate cubic footage (volume) for 3D projects like ordering soil for a container garden or figuring how much hot water that new soaking tub will use. Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.
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