Due to compliance issues with the membership of both MLS and FMLS (the two multiple listing services in Atlanta that feed all other websites), agents are not allowed to quote square footage on the services. So, often times you will hear agents say that quoting square footage is illegal. I think what they mean is it is illegal according to the guidelines of our membership in the FMLS and MLS. Now that does not mean that they can not tell you what the tax record says.

However, not all tax records are even remotely correct. If the square footage is quoted under the real square footage, the homeowner is wise not to report otherwise because the tax assessment will be higher thus resulting in higher taxes. However, most homeowners don't know if the square footage is too high because they have never seen their tax record.

As a result of not quoting square footage on the listings, we don't price properties based on what other more sensible areas of the country do so this is really confusing to a lot of buyers. Buyers report that they are unsure of pricing because they have nothing to compare to, which is totally understandable. 

Anyway, long story short, once you see the tax records and go to the house, you and the agent should be able to guess at the square footage. Then, when the appraisal is done, the appraiser will do the square footage for sure.