I am always amazed at how a listing agent can value a home without measuring it. The basis of value begins with the heated square footage of the home. It is true that there many other factors that effect valuation, but in most markets, including ours, heated square footage is where you begin. You can't develop a intelligent negotiating strategy unless you know the fair market value of the property, and you can't know the fair market value of the property unless you measure it. Evaluating and Valuing property is one of your agent's most important skill sets, so before you hire an agent, ask them what type of due diligence they perform on the target property before making an offer. Most of them won't even be able to answer the question, much less, know how to perform it! If you would like to know the right answer to the question, call me on my cell phone and I'll be happy to tell you.