A utility room is typically counted in a home's total square footage (Gross Living Area), but it is not classified as a legal "habitable space" (like a bedroom, kitchen, or living room) because it is designed for chores rather than day-to-day living, sleeping, or cooking.
Summary. While laundry rooms are essential for managing household chores, they do not meet the criteria for habitable spaces. Gaining insight into what constitutes a habitable area allows homeowners to optimize their living environments.
When dealing with a real estate appraiser, avoid saying anything that hints at pressuring them or attempting to manipulate the valuation. The goal of an appraisal is an objective, unbiased assessment, so never try to influence their final number.
HABITABLE SPACE is space in a building for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilets, hallways, storage areas, closets, or utility rooms and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces.
The unfinished spaces are not included when you are measuring the square footage. These spaces, such as unfinished basements, garages, and attics, are unsuitable for year-round living.
Factors that decrease property value the most fall into three main categories: location issues, structural damage, and poor neighborhood conditions. These factors can collectively slash a property’s value by 5% to 30% or more.
The living area of a house refers to the finished, heated, and cooled indoor space used for daily living. This includes spaces like bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms, but excludes unfinished basements, garages, and porches. In real estate, it dictates a home's "livable square footage".
Here's what can make a home look cheap, according to designers:
200 square feet is a small yet versatile area, comparable to the size of a one-car garage or a room measuring approximately 10 feet in width and 20 feet in length. This footprint is ideal for studio apartments, guest rooms, or office spaces, offering sufficient coverage for essential furniture and creative layouts.
In the case of a 12x12 room, simply multiply 12 by 12, resulting in 144 square feet. This uncomplicated formula provides an efficient way to gauge the area of any space.
Structural issues such as leaky roofs, cracked foundations, or water damage can significantly impact your home's appraisal value. Similarly, cosmetic damages such as chipped paint, stained carpets, or outdated kitchens and bathrooms can detract from your home's overall appeal.
The biggest red flag in a home inspection is compromised structural integrity, frequently caused by hidden water damage or foundation issues. While minor electrical or plumbing fixes are easy to manage, structural failures compromise the safety of the entire home and can cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair.
A laundry room is dedicated exclusively to washing, drying, and folding clothes. A utility room is a broader, multi-functional workspace that frequently houses laundry appliances but also supports household maintenance, cleaning supply storage, and bulky equipment like HVAC systems or water heaters.
Yes, closets are included in the square footage. Any finished, heated, and cooled space within the home's exterior walls that has a ceiling height of at least 7 feet counts toward the total living area.
The kitchen adds the most value overall to a house. Because it is the central hub of daily living and highly expensive to update, buyers are willing to pay a premium for kitchens that are modern, functional, and move-in ready.
The ideal size for a living room depends on your needs, home type, and layout preferences. Here are the general benchmarks: Small living rooms: 12 to 15 square meters (130 to 160 square feet) Medium-sized living rooms: 20 to 25 square meters (215 to 270 square feet)
500 sq ft can be enough for a couple, but it depends entirely on your lifestyle, organization habits, and floor plan. It is highly manageable if you are comfortable with minimalism, but it can feel restrictive without smart design.
Over my 10+ years as an interior designer, I've come to see that a 20x20 living room is a sweet spot—it's spacious, yet still intimate enough to feel cozy when designed right. In recent years, open layouts, layered textures, and smart furniture zoning have dominated the living room trends.
A home typically looks outdated when it features overdone, time-stamped trends from specific past decades, such as honey oak cabinetry, popcorn ceilings, or generic word art. Outdated homes also often suffer from poor lighting, worn-out flooring, and heavy window treatments that block natural light.
A tacky look isn't always the result of bad taste or budget mistakes. Designers say it often comes down to overcommitment—locking into trends, finishes, or layouts to the point that a home stops feeling lived in.
The 30% rule in remodeling is a financial guideline suggesting that the total cost of your renovations should not exceed 30% of your home's current market value.
Since demand outweighs supply, housing prices are higher, and homes sell faster. Meanwhile, the worst months to sell a house are November through March or during the fall to winter, when potential buyers are preoccupied with holiday plans. Sellers should expect lower sales prices and higher DOM during these months.
Certain things are better left unsaid, such as...
Meanwhile, the least desired home styles appear to be shipping container homes and tiny homes, the study finds.