Things to Consider When Buying a House

The Difference Between Net and Gross Area in Real Estate Purchases One of the most confusing issues when purchasing a home is the difference between net and gross square meters. These measurements can vary depending on the city and the project, and it is crucial to be an informed consumer to avoid disappointment later on. What do you need to do to be an informed consumer? First and foremost, to ensure the price of the property you're considering is accurate, you need to know the net square meter of the house. A house's net area is measured as the space inside the walls, including rooms, living rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, balcony, and all other usable areas. The gross area, on the other hand, includes not only the usable spaces but also the area taken up by shared spaces such as stairs, ventilation shafts, and elevator spaces if applicable. This measurement difference creates the necessity of calculating the difference between gross and net square meters when purchasing a house. In the market, most sales offices advertise the gross square meters of the property, so buyers cannot see the net measurement. Some sellers might exaggerate the square footage to make the apartment more appealing. Unfortunately, some contractors and real estate agents, guided by profit and superficial customer satisfaction, often advertise based on gross area, as it is more common in the market. Therefore, when deciding to purchase a home, you need to consider not only the price, area, and project details but also many other factors. It’s essential to look at the room layouts and usability when reviewing the sales brochures and the property. At this point, you should calculate the difference between the advertised gross and net square meters to understand where the discrepancies come from and how significant they are. Measuring the Difference Between Gross and Net First, when visiting the property you're considering, you can use a laser meter to measure the usable spaces such as the living room, bedroom, bathroom, toilet, and kitchen. This will allow you to compare your calculated square footage with the one provided by the builder or real estate agent. If there is a difference, you may be able to negotiate and request a discount based on that discrepancy. Alternatively, you can go to the Land Registry Office where the property is registered and request to review the floor plan of the apartment. This will provide you with the official measurements. However, keep in mind that if previous owners or the contractor made any renovations, the floor plan may not be up-to-date. Therefore, a physical measurement might be a more reliable method to ensure accuracy. It is also important to mention that according to the new Zoning Law, square meter measurements will now be clarified. The regulation will require that net square meters be used in project documentation, sales materials, and title deeds. This change aims to protect consumers more effectively against measurement discrepancies. If you find that the actual measurements of the property differ from what was originally provided after purchasing it, you may have the right to request compensation under the provisions of defective performance outlined in the Turkish Code of Obligations. However, if the sale contract includes both the net and gross square meters, the consumer's right to object to discrepancies is limited. Therefore, it’s essential to carefully read the contract, paying attention to the net and gross square meter figures.