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

The real estate market uses the absorption rate to assess at which rate are available homes sold. This evaluation method is used for specific markets for specific periods of time. To ...

A floor where the binding joists support the common joists above and the ceiling below. ...

Interest rate on an adjustable rate mortgage based on the total of the current value of an index and margin applicable to the mortgage. The rate is the basis for the computation of monthly ...

In real estate, Attractive Nuisance is how insurance companies classify something that is inherently dangerous and particularly enticing to children. A hazard located within a property that ...

Span of time a rental agreement is free to the occupant. A landlord may offer this as an incentive to stimulate rentals. For example, an owner of an office building may provide a free ...

The definition of a homeowner’s fee is a fee that is charged to homeowners that belong to a homeowner's association. The homeowner’s fee usually includes the cost of ...

An early term used to describe all types of real estate property, improvements to the land, and all rights accruing to the land. ...

(1) Flooring in a structure. (2) Open structure with flooring erected outside a main building. A deck can have different levels with direct access to the main structure. It is usually ...

Space that is available to all tenants or owners, such as a courtyard, main entrance, elevator, and pool. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions