How Is A Cape Gross Living Area Calculated

What Is Gross Living Area?

The gross living area (GLA) refers to the total square footage of a home's habitable spaces, including living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and any attached spaces like porches or garages. It is distinct from the net living area, which excludes certain spaces like garages or porches.

In real estate, the gross living area is a key metric used by buyers, sellers, and appraisers to understand the size and value of a property. It's particularly important for Cape Cod-style homes, which have specific architectural features that affect their overall size.

Cape Cod Style Specifications

Cape Cod-style homes are characterized by their steeply pitched roofs, symmetrical facades, and often include a central chimney. These architectural features can affect the calculation of the gross living area.

Key Features Affecting GLA

• Roof Pitch: The steep roof may require additional square footage to be included in the GLA calculation.
• Symmetrical Layout: The symmetrical design may result in slightly different measurements on each side of the home.
• Central Chimney: The chimney may be included in the GLA if it's part of the main living space.

When calculating the GLA for a Cape Cod-style home, it's important to include all habitable spaces and any attached spaces that are considered part of the main living area.

Calculation Method

The gross living area is calculated by measuring the total square footage of all habitable spaces and any attached spaces that are considered part of the main living area. The formula for calculating the GLA is:

To calculate the GLA, you'll need to measure each habitable space and any attached spaces that are considered part of the main living area. The total of these measurements will give you the GLA.

Steps to Calculate GLA

1. Measure the length and width of each habitable space (living room, bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms).
2. Calculate the square footage of each space by multiplying length by width.
3. Add the square footage of all habitable spaces to get the total habitable area.
4. Measure and add any attached spaces that are considered part of the main living area (porches, garages).
5. Sum the total habitable area and any attached spaces to get the GLA.

Example Calculation

Let's walk through an example calculation for a Cape Cod-style home with the following measurements:

• Living room: 20' x 15' = 300 sq ft
• Kitchen: 12' x 10' = 120 sq ft
• Master bedroom: 14' x 12' = 168 sq ft
• Bedroom 2: 12' x 10' = 120 sq ft
• Bathroom: 8' x 8' = 64 sq ft
• Porch: 10' x 6' = 60 sq ft (attached)

Total habitable area = 300 + 120 + 168 + 120 + 64 = 772 sq ft

Total GLA = 772 + 60 = 832 sq ft

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When calculating the gross living area of a Cape Cod-style home, there are several common mistakes to avoid:

• Excluding Attached Spaces: Forgetting to include attached spaces like porches or garages can result in an inaccurate GLA.
• Incorrect Measurements: Using incorrect measurements for each space can lead to significant errors in the GLA calculation.
• Overlooking Architectural Features: Not accounting for architectural features like steep roofs or central chimneys can affect the overall GLA.

To ensure an accurate GLA calculation, double-check your measurements and include all habitable spaces and attached spaces that are considered part of the main living area.