SIGforum
House price question
May 25, 2026, 07:34 PM
Hammer1967House price question
The main house is 2800 sq ft and the Pool house is another which is a finished mini house. The listing is combining the square footage. The listing is for 3600 sq ft.
Is that normal? We have never looked at a property with two structures.
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May 25, 2026, 07:38 PM
LS1 GTOIf the second space is considered habitable (i Just moved to TN and my agent taught me this), it is considered part of the square footage
Habitable includes utilities and sewage
So, as i found, a shop with water, electricity, septic, and with a room built to code for living space, that portion of the shop can be rolled into total square footage.
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May 25, 2026, 07:42 PM
Hammer1967Thanks
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If Jesus would have had a gun he would be alive today. Homer Simpson
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May 25, 2026, 08:00 PM
Tooky13If you're talking about the square footage for appraisal purposes, a separate pool house cannot be included with the main house. It would be considered an ADU (accessory dwelling unit), just as a guest house would not be included in the overall square footage. (I was an appraiser for 30 years, retired a year ago). Likewise, basements are not included in the square footage, as they're below grade. However, these areas definitely give added value, but on a separate basis.
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May 25, 2026, 08:03 PM
LS1 GTOAlso, the home we bought is 2400 sqft with an unfinished 2400 sqft basement. Basement is a walkout but not water or septic.
Because it is unfinished, it is not considered as part of the square footage. So essentially, if we install a septic, tap into the water, and finish it out (like a media room, home gym, reloading room, etc), we have a 4800 sqft home
Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
"If dogs don't go to Heaven, I want to go where they go" Will Rogers
The definition of the words we used, carry a meaning of their own...
May 25, 2026, 08:04 PM
LS1 GTOquote:
Originally posted by Tooky13:
If you're talking about the square footage for appraisal purposes, a separate pool house cannot be included with the main house. It would be considered an ADU (accessory dwelling unit), just as a guest house would not be included in the overall square footage. (I was an appraiser for 30 years, retired a year ago). Likewise, basements are not included in the square footage, as they're below grade. However, these areas definitely give added value, but on a separate basis.
Even in Tennessee? 
Missed the appraisal part
Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
"If dogs don't go to Heaven, I want to go where they go" Will Rogers
The definition of the words we used, carry a meaning of their own...
May 27, 2026, 03:17 PM
sig2392This is a two part question.
The price of real estate is what your are willing to pay for it.
Square footage is not really relevant.
For appraisal purposes the outbuilding would not be included in the house square footage.
The outbuilding and a pool could increase or decrease the value depending on the condition and purpose compared to other properties in the area.
May 27, 2026, 04:49 PM
GraniteguyIf you are serious about placing an offer, make sure the second structure has all the local and state permits. (ADU)