I have a new bpo showing adjsqft 1521 totsqft 726 (2/1). I drove by the property and it's a single family, it's more than 726 maybe less than 1500, which one should I use? I can't find any comps at 726. There is another house in the lot which I noticed from an aerial view & confirmed while I checked the property. It's an exterior bpo for emortgage. Most of my bpo's are a nightmare!

Thanks.

You didn't state the source for any of your numbers so you're not really expecting an answer, right?

Call me crazy, but I use assessor records. If I have a subject with prior listing history that conflicts with assessor records, I state the situation in the comments.

I don't say what it "looks like" unless there are multiple units on the property that aren't in the assessor records. And I certainly don't pick eenie, meenie, miney, moe style based on what comps are available.

Yes, I took the information from the assessor records.

I'd look at the county assessor's page to see if there's a drawing of the property.

Our county assessor's numbers are not infrequently wrong, or at least not very current. Often, a garage has been converted and that sq footage is not included in the total sq feet now. Or, maybe a 2nd floor has been added -- or at least a big room created out of an attic. We have lots of all those things in this town.

If I had a reason to believe the 1521 was more correct, I'd use it. In the case of garage conversions, I look at the other houses in the neighborhood and decide whether the converted garage is now likely a bedroom with 1/2 bath, or if it's more likely a 2nd living area. But too, I know this town real well, so I'm pretty confident that I'm generally accurate in my deductions.

If the 726 is probably right, I'd keep expanding my search area till it didn't make sense and then I'd use the comps that are closest in sf -- even tho I knew they'd ding me for being outside the 10% GLA.

Thanks, I will check if it has a drawing. I know the other county does, I have never checked for my county. My husband was an appraiser & he tells me for the kind of money they are paying us not to sweat it. He says that we are guessing that we are not measuring like they do, which I understand. In my area there are a lot of illegal additions.

Thanks again for your input.

where did the co say they got that 726sqft figure from? If they got it from a previous appraisal have them send it to you-keep all those emails. Make comments you took subject info from local appraisal district, add the appraisal district info to the uploads for the report. If they still insist on you changing it -AFTER they provide you with the appraisal, just make sure you make a comment in the report that per local public records the subject property is 15..sqft - make sure to ck if that 1500+sqft includes a garage or anything the appraiser may have not included living space..just cover your butt with comments.
Lor