Gross Building Area (GBA)
The total area of a building measured from the exterior walls, including all finished and unfinished, above-grade and below-grade spaces. GBA is broader than GLA and is commonly used in the cost approach.
GBA includes everything within the exterior walls — finished living space, unfinished basement, garage if it is within the building envelope, and utility areas. It differs from GLA, which only counts finished above-grade living space. GBA is useful in the cost approach for estimating construction costs (since you pay to build the entire building, not just the finished areas) and for some commercial property analyses. In residential appraisal, GLA is the primary size metric for the sales comparison approach, while GBA is referenced in the cost approach.
Related Terms
Gross Living Area (GLA)
GLAThe total finished, above-grade living area of a residential property, measured in square feet.
Below-Grade Area
Any portion of a building that is below the ground level on any side.
Cost Approach
A valuation method that estimates value by calculating the cost to reproduce or replace the improvements, subtracting accrued depreciation, and adding the land value.
ANSI Z765 Measurement Standards
ANSIThe American National Standards Institute standard for measuring residential floor area.
More in Property Characteristics
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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A loss in property value caused by deficiencies or superadequacies within the property itself, such as an outdated floor plan, insufficient electrical capacity, or an over-improvement relative to the neighborhood..