Based on accepted national standards, how should square footage be reported in residential buildings?

In residential building appraisal, square footage is commonly reported to the nearest whole square foot. This practice aligns with accepted national standards for clarity and accuracy in real estate reporting. By rounding to the nearest whole square foot, appraisers can provide a straightforward and easily comprehensible measurement that can be consistently understood by various stakeholders, including potential buyers, sellers, and lenders. This method minimizes confusion and promotes uniformity in property assessments across different markets.

Using whole square feet facilitates the comparison of properties, simplifies transaction discussions, and aligns with typical expectations in real estate practices. Rounding to a larger unit like a whole foot also reduces the potential for discrepancies that may arise from more precise measurements. In contrast, providing measurements in metric equivalents or rounding to inches would not conform to the conventional practices used in the majority of residential transactions within the United States, making those options less appropriate.