UNIT I REAL ESTATE MATH AREA MEASUREMENTS FORMULA FOR FINDING THE SQUARE FEET OF A RECTANGLE L x W = A Where: A = Area L = Length W = Width If the length = 30 and the width = 20 20 x 30 = 600 Sq. Feet A = 600 Square Feet Square Footage of a Triangle H x ½ B = A Where: H = Height B = Base A= Area A triangle has a base of 100 Ft and a height of 105 Ft. What is the square footage of the triangle? 105 x 50 = 5,250 COPYRIGHT TAPE ED REALESTATESCHOOL.ORG 289
See Insert drawing of Rectangle and Triangle (one page) 290 COPYRIGHT TAPE ED REALESTATESCHOOL.ORG
ODD SHAPES The easiest way to determine the area of an odd shape property is to divide it up into triangles, squares or rectangles. Then, find of area of each, and add the areas together COPYRIGHT TAPE ED REALESTATESCHOOL.ORG 291
PERCENTAGE PROBLEMS With percentage problems, it is easier to convert the percentage to a decimal and then multiply. Let s look at an example: A six percent commission. 6% is changed to.06 Now let s look at a commission problem The property sold for 300,000 with a 6% commission. How much was the total commission? $ 300,000 x.06 = $ 18,000 For further information on commission splits and prorations please see Section B of this chapter and section H of this chapter. Calculating points. Points are just a percentage of the loan amount. A point is 1% of the loan amount. As in the above percentage problem, it is easier to covert the percentage to a decimal. If there are 2 points on a loan and the loan amount is $ 200,000: 2 Points =.02 $ 200,000 x.02 = $ 4,000 CALCULATING INTEREST Use the formula: A x R = I Where: A = Amount of the loan R = Rate of Interest I = Interest Sally borrows $ 60,00 for one year at 8%. How much interest will she pay? First convert the 8% to a decimal =.08 $ 60,000 X.08 $ 4,800. 292 COPYRIGHT TAPE ED REALESTATESCHOOL.ORG
LAND DESCRIPTION It is essential that property be accurately described, especially when it is transferred. There are three basic methods of describing land: Metes and Bounds Method Government Survey Method Plat Map Method METES AND BOUNDS Metes and bounds is a system or method used to describe land which originated in England. The system uses: Distances Directions or courses from a compass reading (known as compass bearings Monuments which may be man made or natural objects Examples of man made monument would be a survey marker, post or a road. Examples of a natural monument would include a lake, river, tree, rock The description will start at a Point of Beginning around the boundary of the property which is well defined (usually making reference to a monument). After the point of beginning is established, the course and distance is given. For example 50 feet south. The course and distance may be described as a monument as well, for instance 50 along Puttom Creek and south until about the center Moses Creek. The monument will take precedence over the course and the distance if there is a discrepancy. The ending point of the description will always end at the beginning point. Here s an example: A typical description for a parcel of land would be: "beginning with a corner at the intersection of two stone walls near an peach tree on the north side of Blotter Creek road two miles above the junction of Blotter and Jones Creeks, north for 150 feet to the end of the stone wall bordering the road, then northwest along a line to a large maple tree on the corner of the Dairy Feed, thence west 150 feet to the corner of a brick building owned by John Lore near a large fir tree, thence south to Boltter Creek road, thence down the side of the creek road to the starting point." COPYRIGHT TAPE ED REALESTATESCHOOL.ORG 293
GOVERNMENT SURVEY Also known as the rectangular survey method the government survey system describes land through a series of grids. The grids are made up of a set of lines: A line that run north and south called Principal Meridians A line that run east and west called Base Lines Lines that run parallel to the base line every six miles which are called Township o Lines Lines that run parallel to the principal meridian every six miles are called Range o Lines An area running between two range lines and two township lines is called a Township. See Insert of Grid with a Principal Meridian and Base Line 294 COPYRIGHT TAPE ED REALESTATESCHOOL.ORG
A township is 6 miles x 6 miles = (36 Sq. miles) and contains 36 sections. Each section is 1 mile x 1 mile = (1 Sq. mile) See Insert of a Township that Contains 36 Sections 296 COPYRIGHT TAPE ED REALESTATESCHOOL.ORG
A section can be divided into smaller parcels. Here are some examples: NE ¼ of a section = 160 acres North ½ of the SE 1/4 section = 80 acres See the Insert of a Section of Land That Has Been Divided Up 298 COPYRIGHT TAPE ED REALESTATESCHOOL.ORG
UNITS OF MEASUREMENT OF LAND AREA 1 Township = 6 miles x 6 miles (36 Sq. miles) = 36 sections 1 Section = 1 mile x 1 mile (1 Sq. mile) = 640 acres 1 Acre = 43,560 Sq. Feet or approximately 208.71 feet x 208.71 feet LENGTH 1 mile = 5,280 feet 1 mile = 320 rods 1 rod = 16.5 feet PLAT MAP METHOD The plat map method is often referred to as a lot and block method. When land is subdivided, it is broken up into a series of blocks and lots which are mapped out by a surveyor on a subdivision map called a plat. When a plat has been recorded, it becomes a sufficient legal description to identify the property. A lot and block description is the most commonly used method for describing residential real estate. See Insert of Plat Map 300 COPYRIGHT TAPE ED REALESTATESCHOOL.ORG
See Insert of Legal Description with Lot and Block Description 302 COPYRIGHT TAPE ED REALESTATESCHOOL.ORG