What is a method to avoid legal liability regarding square footage measurements?

Providing a disclaimer to buyers that indicates the source of the square footage measurements is an effective strategy to mitigate legal liability. It allows the buyer to understand that the square footage details may not be precise and that they should verify the information if accuracy is crucial to them. This practice acknowledges that the realtor or seller may not have firsthand knowledge of the property's exact dimensions and directs the buyer to consider the reliability of the source. By clearly communicating this information, it helps manage the buyer's expectations and serves as a precautionary step to protect against potential disputes regarding misrepresentation of the property's size.

The other approaches, while they may seem practical in certain contexts, do not provide the same level of legal protection. Rounded figures, while simplifying communication, may lead to additional misunderstandings about the space being offered. Hiring a surveyor ensures accuracy but can be an unnecessary expense in situations where a simple disclaimer will suffice. Estimating based on similar properties does not guarantee accuracy, and such estimates could mislead potential buyers if they rely on them for their decision-making. Hence, providing a disclaimer is the most prudent and legally sound approach in this context.