Gross Living Area (GLA)
The total finished, above-grade living area of a residential property, measured in square feet. GLA is one of the most significant factors affecting a home's value and is central to the sales comparison approach.
GLA includes all finished, habitable above-grade living space. It excludes below-grade (basement) areas, garages, covered porches, and unfinished attic space. Measurement must follow ANSI Z765 standards, which require exterior measurement of each above-grade level. Finished areas must be heated, accessible by permanent stairs, and have a minimum ceiling height of 7 feet (with allowances for sloped ceilings). The appraiser must measure the property — relying solely on tax records or prior appraisals without verification is not acceptable.
Related Terms
Gross Building Area (GBA)
GBAThe total area of a building measured from the exterior walls, including all finished and unfinished, above-grade and below-grade spaces.
Below-Grade Area
Any portion of a building that is below the ground level on any side.
ANSI Z765 Measurement Standards
ANSIThe American National Standards Institute standard for measuring residential floor area.
Adjustment
A dollar or percentage modification applied to a comparable sale's price to account for differences between the comparable and the subject property.
Sales Comparison Approach
A valuation method that estimates a property's value by comparing it to similar properties that have recently sold in the same market area.
More in Property Characteristics
View allEffective Age
The age of a property as indicated by its condition, maintenance, and updates, which may differ from its actual (chronological) age.
Remaining Economic Life
The estimated number of years a property's improvements are expected to continue contributing to the property's value, calculated as total economic life minus effective age..
Site Value
The market value of the land as if vacant and available for development to its highest and best use.
Functional Obsolescence
A loss in property value caused by deficiencies or superadequacies within the property itself, such as an outdated floor plan, insufficient electrical capacity, or an over-improvement relative to the neighborhood..