A house has 1,400 sq ft on the main floor and 900 sq ft on a full second floor, plus a 700 sq ft finished walk-out basement. GLA is:
Correct Answer
A) 2,300 sq ft
Why this is correct: Gross Living Area (GLA) is defined as the total finished, above-grade living space. Here, the main floor (1,400 sq ft) and second floor (900 sq ft) are above grade, summing to 2,300 sq ft. The finished walk-out basement, while usable, is below grade and excluded from GLA; it must be reported and valued separately. Why the other choices are wrong: "3,000 sq ft including the finished basement" incorrectly adds the 700 sq ft basement to GLA, inflating the figure against which comparables are measured. "1,400 sq ft, counting the main level only" ignores the finished second floor, which is above grade and part of GLA. "2,100 sq ft, averaging the levels together" is a miscalculation with no appraisal basis. Exam tip: GLA = finished above-grade areas only. Basements, even finished, are separate line items.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Why this is correct: Gross Living Area (GLA) is defined as the total finished, above-grade living space. Here, the main floor (1,400 sq ft) and second floor (900 sq ft) are above grade, summing to 2,300 sq ft. The finished walk-out basement, while usable, is below grade and excluded from GLA; it must be reported and valued separately. Why the other choices are wrong: "3,000 sq ft including the finished basement" incorrectly adds the 700 sq ft basement to GLA, inflating the figure against which comparables are measured. "1,400 sq ft, counting the main level only" ignores the finished second floor, which is above grade and part of GLA. "2,100 sq ft, averaging the levels together" is a miscalculation with no appraisal basis. Exam tip: GLA = finished above-grade areas only. Basements, even finished, are separate line items.
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