Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)

Definition of "Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)"

Alan Wilson real estate agent

Written by

Alan Wilsonelite badge icon

Olde Town Realty

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 - and how much they are asking for - the homeowner gets to find out what their asking price should be.

The comparative market analysis (CMA) can span from two-pages to a hundred; it depends on how thorough and comprehensive the analysis is, and how complex is the house (or the market) in question. More and more comparative market analysis (CMA)  are generated in specialized software that cross-references data from several sources of recent sales in specific markets, showing days on the market, average sales price, local minimum and maximum sales prices, the reasons why some houses did or didn’t sell, and even information like the best time to sell a property in that region.

Making a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) can be quite toilsome. The reason why Brokers and Real Estate Agents do all this work of suggesting a sales price, explaining the reasons behind it and even including a marketing plan to sell the house is to convince the homeowner to list the house with them. To show they know how the market behaves and will be the best person for the seller to trust the house with.

If you’re a home seller, it is important for you to ask Comparative Market Analysis to more than one broker or agent. Results may vary, and you want to make your own comparison between what is presented you. Don’t necessarily go for the broker that priced your home the highest; weeks after you sign a contract they may come with new more realistic calculations.

Real Estate Advice:

You haven’t gotten a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) yet? Call one of our real estate agents and ask them to make you one!

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

"Gross Leasable Area" or GLA is more than just jargon. Understanding property value and potential income is super important, especially in commercial real estate. What does Gross Leasable ...

The company is not responsible to a third party if an account or financial instrument is dishonored by the debtor. The creditor's recourse is solely to the debtor's property. An example is ...

Period of time during which a complainant in a real estate transaction can seek a financial recovery from a licensed real estate broker or agent. The time period is determined by state ...

Mortgage for residential property. ...

Any of several types of legal joinders whereby one or more parties unites with or joins other parties in a legal action or proceeding even though the party may not be a direct part of the ...

Amount a manger of real estate receives for his efforts. For example, a manger is to receive 2% of rentals collected as compensation from the landlord to manage the property. If the ...

Demise indicates the act of “granting a lease of property” in legal terms. A demising clause refers to a particular provision of housing requirements based on family size, ages, ...

Depressed or raised framed in portion of a wall, ceiling, or door. A panel board pattern is decorative and gives the effect of a series of highlighted squares or rectangular pieces. ...

Statue designed to protect lenders if a seller secretly sells substantially all of the business property. The objective of the law is to safeguard against defrauding creditors. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions