How To Do a Comparative Market Analysis – Super Step-By-Step Guide

by Richard Morrison
August 16, 2016
Sellers
0

Are you a real estate agent looking to get the best deal for your client in BC, Canada? Doing a comparative market analysis (CMA) is essential if you want to ensure that both parties are getting fair value out of the transaction. But how do you go about doing one?

Don’t worry – I’m here to guide you through it! As an experienced real estate agent who has conducted thousands of CMA’s in British Columbia, I can tell ya that there’re certain steps and methods which will help make sure every sale gets done right.

In this article, we’ll be going over all the key elements of performing a successful CMA. So keep reading if you wanna become an expert at finding great deals on properties in BC!

Table of Contents show

Quick Summary

A British Columbia comparative market analysis (CMA) requires several steps. I’ve simplified the process as a real estate agent:
Study local housing trends and prices for comparable properties;
Research nearby homes that have sold or are for sale;
Compare these homes to the one being evaluated;
Estimate the property’s fair market value using this data.
For accurate CMA results, don’t skip any steps. Use reliable data sources like public records, industry databases, or local agents. You can confidently estimate a home’s value by gathering and analyzing the right information.

Overview Of Comparative Market Analysis

A comparative market analysis (CMA) can help estimate a property’s market value. Agents, appraisers, and sellers use it to compare nearby properties. BC CMAs require recent sales data for comparable homes. Size, age, bedrooms, and bathrooms are included. Consider location and property upgrades. Comparing these details across listings can reveal recent buyer demand for similar properties. This information will help you price your home, whether you’re selling or just getting an estimate before making improvements.

What To Include In The Report

As an experienced BC real estate agent, I can tell you that a comparative market analysis (CMA) is the best way to value your property. A CMA report should include market trends and recent sales prices for comparable properties. This data will help you price your home based on local comparables.
A good CMA report also details location, condition, upgrades or renovations, lot size, and other factors that affect value. To compare similar properties, the report should include photos. Use current MLS listings to ensure data accuracy. With all this information, you can estimate how much buyers might pay for your home and adjust accordingly!

CMA vs. Appraisal

Real estate agents and homeowners can estimate property value with a comparative market analysis (CMA). Professional appraisers determine a property’s fair market value for lenders or buyers. CMAs and appraisals both analyze comparable properties, but there are some key differences.

Unlike appraisals, CMAs estimate market prices. Appraisals may use data from further away, but CMAs typically use local sales data. CMAs are faster and more flexible than appraisals because they do not require licensing or certification.

CMAs can help buyers and lenders understand local markets, but they cannot replace full appraisals.

Data Gathering On Subject Property

Comparative market analysis requires property data. First, locate it. What neighbourhood and nearby amenities? Is public transportation accessible? Are parks nearby? This will indicate the area’s appeal to buyers.

Next, gather data on nearby comparable sales. To compare to your subject property, this includes square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, age of construction, lot size, heating system, etc. Consider other features, like a home’s recent renovation or high-end finishes.

After collecting comparable listings, you can adjust to reflect current conditions and estimate the subject property’s value.

Previous Sale Listing Data Collection

Collecting data on previous sale listings is crucial to a BC, Canada, comparative market analysis. This requires reliable real estate records and databases. An experienced local real estate agent can quickly get accurate sales listing information.
After gathering all relevant data, carefully analyze it. To compare recently sold properties to your home or investment property, consider location, size, and age. Note any special features, like waterfront views or updated kitchens, that could affect a house’s price. Past sale listing trends can reveal what buyers are willing to pay for similar properties in your area.

Obtaining Recently Sold Comparables

After collecting data from previously listed properties, collect recently sold comparables. This is an important part of the comparative market analysis and can help you value a property.
Look up public records in the area you’re studying to find recent sales. Find nearby single-family homes or condominiums with comparable features and prices. By collecting this data, you can determine buyers’ current market prices.
Analyze each sale after collecting data. To value your subject property, study its trends and patterns. With this information, you’ll understand the local real estate market and your subject property’s value better.

Locating Active Listing Comps

As an experienced BC real estate agent, I know the value of a comparative market analysis. It’s essential for accurate and current pricing data for any area or property. Find active listing comps?
Research local listings online first. Agents can view all listed properties and historical data on the MLS. This lets us find recently sold properties with similar size, location, and amenities. If needed, we can compare pending sales to existing listings.
Next, we must assess each property’s condition and features, such as its square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, type of heating and cooling system, etc. We then use the active listing comps that closely match our subject property to determine a fair market value range for our home or investment opportunity. So buyers can make an informed offer on their dream home!

Evaluating Micro Market Trends

BC micromarket trends are affected by several factors. Housing inventory comes first. The number of houses sold in that area over the past year and what’s on the market can indicate this. Pricing for recently sold and listed properties is the second factor.

Recent Sales	Current Listings
Number of units	Price per unit
Average days on market	Average price per square foot

Compare these data points across neighbourhoods or regions to get an accurate picture of buyers’ prices and willingness to pay. Average days on market can show you how quickly homes are selling in this area. Finally, home values per square foot reveal the region’s real estate costs.

Thus, micro-market trends must be analyzed using recent sales and listing data. With this information, you can make better property investment decisions in BC, Canada.

Putting It All Together Into Final Product

Your efforts culminate in a final product. After analyzing the data, you’re ready to present your findings. Here’s how:

Revise your BC, Canada comparative market analysis notes to create an organized, accurate report.
Base the final report on consumer needs and expectations.
Simplify key points for easy reading.
As an experienced real estate agent, I know that creating these reports can take time, but with careful organization and attention to detail, you can create a comprehensive document that meets client expectations. The goal is to give them helpful insights about their current or prospective investments with clear evidence-based recommendations based on comparable properties in their desired area. With this knowledge, they can make confident decisions, knowing their money is safe and secure!

Examining The History Of Subject Property

After completing the CMA’s first steps, examine the subject property’s history. This includes researching recent sales in the area and reviewing any house improvements. Zoning, building permits, and easements are also examined.

Start by reviewing the historical records of comparable properties in your target market. Find out when, who, and why they sold. Check MLS listings to see what similar homes sold for recently. These resources will show you the prices of different types of homes in your neighbourhood. Then you can compare those figures to current prices to see if your offer price is negotiable.

Next, check for major renovations since the last sale. If so, it may affect value. Before making an offer, check local government websites or call city hall to make sure the property complies with zoning laws. If everything looks good here—which should be easy to verify—you can finish your comparative market analysis!

Examining Recently Sold Comps

A comparative market analysis must compare recently sold comps. Smart real estate agents search MLS listings and public records for recently sold properties. These properties show agents what buyers are willing to pay for similar homes in the same area.

After finding several comparable sales, agents can crunch numbers and analyze trends. Agents should consider size, age, features, location, condition, list price versus sale price, and how long each home took to sell. This data will reveal market values and inform pricing decisions.

Assessing Active Listing Comparables

After reviewing recently sold comparables, evaluate active listings. Review MLS (Multiple Listing Service) listings to find nearby homes with similar age, size, and features. Consider why these properties have been listed for too long. They may be overpriced or have other drawbacks.

Next, consider local zoning changes that may affect home values. For instance, residential buyers seeking peace and quiet may not like a new development with commercial buildings all around. The same goes for nearby road or sewer construction. To determine your property’s value, evaluate comparable active listings using all these factors.

Making Predictions From Lowest To Highest Price Points

Comparing nearby properties helps predict prices, from low to high. A comparative market analysis (CMA) provides a regional property value overview. A CMA requires reviewing all current listings, closed sales, and pending transactions for similar homes in your target area.

Lowest Price	Highest Price
$400,000	$500,000
$425,000	$550,000
$450,000	$600,000
$475,000	$650,00 0

After gathering this information and determining the average sale prices for each price range in the relevant market area, make some predictions. In BC, Canada, local factors like population growth and job availability can greatly affect real estate values.

Therefore, when forecasting, consider local changes. With these factors in mind, you should be able to estimate a home’s market value.

Considering Micro Market Trends For Insight

After examining macrotrends, dig deeper. Micromarket trends, such as local housing supply and demand in a neighbourhood, can help you understand a real estate market. This will inform your CMA.
Search current listings to explore micromarkets. Buyer preferences? Any long-term listings? Buyers prefer a certain home style? How competitive is listing a property? These details will show you what locals want in a property. Consider transportation, schools, and amenities that may influence homebuyers.
This data can reveal which homes sell quickly and which need work to attract buyers. With this knowledge, you can make better CMA report pricing recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Type Of Data Is Used In A Comparative Market Analysis?

Start with local sales prices. We can estimate how much buyers will pay for your home by comparing recently sold homes in the neighbourhood. For a complete market view, include average and median sale prices. Local job growth and new construction projects may also affect pricing trends, which can indicate future values.
CMAs require detailed property data. Square footage and lot size will help us compare your house to nearby ones, while amenities like bedrooms and bathrooms can indicate its overall desirability. Finally, we should consider any recent renovations or upgrades, which may increase value depending on their quality and scope.
These data and historical trend analyses give real estate agents a complete picture of British Columbia’s housing market, allowing them to confidently set fair listing prices or advise clients on long-term financial decisions.

How Often Should A CMA Be Updated?

When doing a CMA, agents must keep up with local market trends. This means monitoring housing prices, demand, inventory supply, interest rates, and other economic indicators that can affect property values in a given area. Agents should also pay attention to local zoning laws, which may affect home values. Agents can provide accurate valuations for BC homebuyers and sellers by monitoring these elements and updating their CMAs.
Agents must maintain current data to maximize CMA reports. Doing so will help them provide reliable market advice when buying or selling property in British Columbia.

How Do CMA and Appraisal Differ?

BC home values are determined by CMAs and appraisals. However, they differ greatly. Real estate agents and brokers typically perform CMAs for buyers and sellers. Based on nearby sales, it helps determine a property’s listing price. Lenders may request an appraisal from a licensed appraiser before financing a buyer. A property’s appraisal determines its market value.
Consult your real estate professional before choosing a home-selling tool. They can advise you on the best analysis and BC market trends. Understanding these two types of evaluation will help you sell your property for top dollar!

How Can I Use A Comparative Market Analysis To Help Set A Listing Price?

I recommend using CMA to set your listing price. You can find out what buyers are willing to pay for comparable homes in the same neighbourhood by researching recent sales. Your home’s differences can also be considered. A comparable house with more bedrooms or a bigger yard may be worth more than yours.
The CMA will help you determine your home’s listing price by revealing market conditions. Don’t underestimate how important pricing is to a sale! I’m confident we’ll get the best price for your BC, Canada, house with my expertise.

Conclusion

As an experienced real estate agent in BC, Canada, I have found comparative market analysis to be a valuable tool for helping my clients set realistic listing prices. With access to the latest data and metrics from reliable sources such as local MLS boards, CMAs provide a comprehensive snapshot of the current market conditions that can help guide pricing decisions.

The frequency with which you should update your CMA will depend on how quickly the market is moving in your area. Generally speaking, it’s wise to review the information at least once every three months or so. However, if there has been significant changes in recent weeks or months, then it may be beneficial to do more frequent updates.

In addition to using a CMA when setting listing prices, its important not forget other factors such as local school districts, neighborhood amenities and property condition. According to Canadian Real Estate Association statistics, homes listed above their recommended price point tend to stay on the market longer than those priced accurately – by up to two weeks! This reinforces how critical accurate pricing is when selling a home.

Ultimately, CMAs are just one part of developing effective strategies for successful real estate transactions; however they remain incredibly useful tools for understanding and navigating today’s ever-changing markets.

Sources:

https://www.bcrea.bc.ca/economics/markets-at-a-glance/

https://www.orea.com/resources/media-room/Press-Releases/September-16-2015

Ready to turn your real estate dreams into reality? Contact Richard Morrison, Vancouver’s top realtor with 20+ years of experience. As a Medallion Club member and RE/MAX Hall of Fame award winning agent, he’s the expert you need on your side. Whether buying, selling, or investing, Richard’s personalized approach and deep market insights ensure a successful transaction. Reach out to Richard today at (778) 900-2235 and make your real estate journey seamless and rewarding.

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