House Sq Footage Issue

[Amit Shetye]

I bought a house during the covid downturn in Dallas TX. The plan we like showed 3200 sq feet. Since I was a first-time home buyer did not know ins and outs of every aspect of home buying. When we did the appraisal the first red flag came which showed the house at 2900 sq ft. But by that time which is July of 2021 during the closing, the prices had already skyrocketed. Builder said it was an error from appraisal and they are used to making such errors. My bad and I believed the builder and moved in.
Now I want to sell my house, so called the county to correct the sq footage. They sent their person to measure the house and guess what it turned out to be 2900 sq ft again. Now the builder is raising his hand and saying he can't help.
My question is:
What is my option now?
The person who did the measurement did not count the stairs in sq footage but said even builders should not count it even if we add that it's just 75-80 sq feet.
At what sq footage should I list my house?
There are 6 houses in my community and all of them show correct 3200 sq ft in county records.

[Caroline Gerardo]

Get out the appraisal when you purchased. Look at the map of the square footage the appraiser counted. Where is 300 feet missing? You should have done this or had agent look at when you closed. What was verbally said means nothing. Do you have emails in writing from builder that his plans show 2900? How do you know your model is exactly the same floor plan and angles as the other houses you mention.

So your house is a box with second story? Square footage is easy to tape. OR if it has angles you will need a laser measuring tape to help get it right.

You were taxed on property tax with 2900 so you saved money there. If you complain to your assessor they can send someone to verify and increase your property taxes. This might take months. Since you are selling I do not see the reason to do this.

The decision to put the square footage is you listing agent's to bear the problem. IF the house is 2900 and you disclose 3200 you will be liable to the next buyer. If you have emails in writing that incriminate builder maybe you can sue him. What is sales price? Difference is about 9% of space. What is square foot cost to build X 9%???  Pricing is NOT only based on square footage for residential real estate. Comparables are what matters. What sales closed with a loan that have 2900 to 2950 square feet in past three months?