Comparables In Real Estate

Definition of "Comparables in Real Estate"

Mark Mansfield real estate agent

Written by

Mark Mansfieldelite badge icon

RE/MAX Ocean Properties

The term comparables is used to better determine the value an asset has when compared to others, similar to it. Real estate comparables are used in assessments to determine a house’s fair value. A list of recently sold properties, usually within the last year, in a specific area, are considered by the assessor to assess the value of property properly.

Why are comparables used in real estate?

In the real estate market, comparables help a real estate agent to assess the value of a home. Looking at the most recent home sales, real estate agents better understand how properties are evaluated in an area and what the market trend is. The real estate comparables need to be comparable to the property in discussion - needs to have the same number of bedrooms, floors, bathrooms - with similar attributes as the property they represent. Usually, real estate agents look at an area of one mile around the property they evaluate at homes sold for no longer than a year to date. Typically, they use around three comparables to determine the asking price of the property assessed accurately.

During assessments, the assessor also compares the property that they are assessing with comparables. This, similarly, helps them to evaluate the value of the property as well as other determining factors. This value is used for tax purposes by municipalities or local governments to establish the proper property tax for the property.

When do we use comparables in real estate?

In the lack of a real estate agent, a property owner can sell their home through a for sale by owner scenario. The best option would be to have a real estate agent, but a home seller can research these prices online since property sales are made available to the public. A home seller can search online for homes similar to the one they are selling for an accurate price. Simply put, comparables are properties similar to the subject property used to estimate the property’s value.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Beam that is supported only at one end. ...

Governmental body that reviews property tax assessment procedures. ...

Don’t know what snowbirds mean? It’s not birds made of snow. Snowbirds is a nickname given to Canadians and American people that live in the colder northern states, that, ...

Characterized by a low volume of real estate sale transactions. ...

Standard days when an organization is open and conducts business. Business days exclude weekends and holidays. ...

Apartment building in which each resident owns a percentage share of the corporation that owns the building. ...

That’s the name of the study a Real Estate Broker presents to home sellers when trying to turn them into clients. In it, by making a comparison with the available houses in the market ...

Primary residence of an individual. The principal residence can be a single family home, condominium, cooperative, or trailer. A principal residence may qualify for a homestead exemption in ...

Bond collaterized by real assets. Two kinds of mortgage bond are senior mortgages and junior mortgages. A mortgage bond may have a closed-end provision that prevents the firm from issuing ...

Popular Real Estate Questions