Q. What is a comparative marketing analysis (CMA)?

A. A comparative marketing analysis (CMA) is the most valuable tool you can use to determine the correct listing price for your home. The best CMAs compare your home to other homes for sale that are similar to yours in size, shape, condition, and location.

These comparisons are extremely specific. The CMA should identify all the variables in your home – including the number and size of rooms, numbers of bathrooms, amount of square footage, lot size, garage, location, and any special amenities the home may have – and compare them to what other homes in the area have.

Once the comps have been identified, the CMA will match up these properties with their most current listing and selling prices.

Published: Aug 31, 2005