Gross living area
The finished, heated square footage above grade, measured from outside walls. This is the number that shows up in listings and appraisals. Basements don't usually count.
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Free to set up. No credit card.Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
GLA is the square footage that the listing, the appraisal and the comps all use, measured from the outside walls above grade. Getting it right avoids a listing that overstates and an appraisal that corrects it.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
The county says 1,750 square feet. The appraiser measures 1,710 above grade and lists the finished basement separately.
| The source of the number | What it tends to say |
|---|---|
| The county assessor | Often close, sometimes off by a room |
| The appraiser's measurement | The number the lender uses |
| A listing that includes the basement | Larger, and likely to be challenged |
GLA is measured, above grade, from outside. Anything else is a description.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That the number on the county's site is the number. Appraisers measure, and the two often differ by a little.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
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