I recently read an interesting article on whether or not square footage should be made mandatory information in MLS listings. Until I read the piece I had never really thought about it. Square footage is something that I include in my own listings if I have a floor plan, or if I’m familiar with the model home. I never thought that its absence could create a problem. The article’s author, Robert J. Morrow, makes an interesting case for square footage based on a personal story, though. Here’s how it goes:

A homeowner he knew was having a difficult time selling his home through a private sale franchise. He assumed that the reason for this was because the franchise did not offer local MLS listings. This meant that his home was not being marketed enough exposure – or at least not reaching its potential in terms of marketing.

A sales rep approached the seller and explained the dilemma, offering to put his listing on the MLS for $199. Although the article isn’t clear, it seems that the sales rep was able to gather the necessary information over the phone – everything, that is, minus the square footage. Shortly afterward, the listing was added to realtor.ca. However, despite the fact that he included the term “will offer buyer agents 2.5%,” no local agents contacted him. Why not?

The problem, it seems, was that the sales rep was not a member of the local board – he was, in fact, a member of an entirely different regional board. As a result, local sales reps still didn’t see the listing, and no one called.

So what does this have to do with square footage?

Well, had the sales rep been responsible for measuring each and every room on his own, he would have been less inclined to take a listing so far out of his area. And Morrow agrees. If square footage becomes a mandatory field of information on listings, as it is with some boards, then this problem won’t happen so often. It is his hope that boards will take this under serious consideration.

When selling your home, you should always work with a sales rep who is familiar with your local real estate market. That sales rep will understand how to best market your home.

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