Why the CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) is so important

A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is one of the most critical skills in pricing a property accurately

Accurate Pricing = Faster Sale + Higher Net
Overpricing can lead to a stale listing, while underpricing leaves money on the table.

Buyer Confidence:
When you price based on solid data, buyers trust the value — and appraisers are more likely to support it.

Negotiation Tool:
A well-prepared CMA helps justify your pricing during negotiations and counters lowball offers with facts.

Market Positioning:
It tells us whether we need to be aggressive, match market standards, or adjust based on supply and demand.


How I Perform a CMA — Step-by-Step

Define the Subject Property

Address, subdivision/neighborhood
Square footage, bed/bath count, lot size
Year built, upgrades/remodels, garage/pool
Any unique features (view, location on cul-de-sac, corner lot, backing to greenbelt, etc.)

Set the Search Criteria-In the MLS, I filter for:

Sold homes (within past 3–6 months) — most weight
Active listings — current competition
Pending sales — market movement
Expired/withdrawn — pricing mistakes to avoid

Criteria matched closely on:

Location (same neighborhood or 0.5–1 mile radius)
Size (within ~15–20% of subject’s square footage)
Property type (single family, condo, etc.)
Features (pool, garage, stories, upgrades)

Analyze the Comparables– For each comp, I look at:

Price per square foot
Days on Market (DOM)
Concessions or seller contributions
Condition and presentation (photos matter!)
Final sold price vs original list price

Adjust for DifferencesI manually adjust for:

Square footage differences:
Lot size
Garage vs carport
Pool/no pool item
Renovated vs outdated
Premium views or locations

Determine a Value RangeBased on adjusted comps, I provide:

Low, mid, and high range estimates
Recommended list price based on current market conditions and seller motivation

Create a visual, easy-to-read report that shows:

Side-by-side comparison of properties
Map location of comps
Strategy discussion (competitive, aggressive, or value-based pricing)

Pro Tip: I Also Check…

Absorption rate (how fast homes are selling in that market)
Seasonal trends
Interest rate impact
New construction nearby

Need a CMA done for you?

Contact me, it’s important to nail this one down…

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