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You can do this by using an online tool, like the True Cost Guide at HomeAdvisor, to find an average price for a project like this. Get free, objective, performance-based recommendations for top real estate agents in your area. At the top of the screen, under “For sale,” filter for “Sold” so you’re only seeing the yellow dots. On the upper-right, be certain you are sorting by “Newest” listings so you are looking at the most recently sold properties.
A CMA isn’t an appraisal but it can often accurately determine a home’s current estimated value. Searching for the name of the city or town along with the word “assessor” online should lead you to the assessor’s website. Generally, they have accurate data about the number of beds and baths because it’s used to calculate taxes due. On the top of the results page, you can filter by property type (house/condo/farm ranch/land), the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and other criteria. Some online sites allow you to search for recent sales in your area. There are several online tools that are helpful for locating housing comps in your area.
How to Determine a Property’s Value Using Real Estate Comps
These should reveal the types of appliances, flooring, and fixtures that homebuyers might expect at that price point. You won’t be able to access the MLS database without a licensed real estate agent to help get you on the portal; it’s an exclusive tool for real estate agents, brokers and their clients. Most listing sites let you plug in certain criteria for the home you want to buy. You can search for houses by neighborhood, square footage, number of bedrooms and more.

They’ll know the ins and outs of your market, and the best listing price for your house. Hover your mouse over a property for a quick pop-up glance showing the home’s size, address, and selling price. Click on a property listing or map marker to see additional details.
How to assemble the best comps
By comparing the data of recently sold homes in a given market, sellers can identify which properties are the most similar to their own. Having access to current market data through the MLS allows a seller to determine a listing price that is fair yet competitive. Read on for more info on comparables, the most important factors and how to identify the most accurate comps for your home.

Another way to see recently sold homes on the Trulia city map page is to enter your address in the search bar on the upper left. On your home’s detail page, scroll down to the section called, “comparable sales” to see a list of comps. The right price is crucial in order to attract interested buyers.
GET STARTED SELLING YOUR HOME.
Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. Doing your own comps gives you a decent idea of value — at no cost or obligation. What’s more, it can be fun and informative to get a deeper understanding of your neighbors’ home values — and your own.
Sellers use comps to determine the market value of their home and correctly price their property for sale. If you’re working with an agent, they’ll typically bring a comparative market analysis to your first meeting. This analysis pulls in all similar sold properties, as well as draws on the agent’s market expertise, to come up with a suggested list price. First, comps, or house “comparables” are homes in your area that are similar to your home that have sold in recent weeks or months. Consumers and professionals can use comps to help estimate what a home is worth, whether it’s for the purpose of buying or selling or for other appraisal processes.
Let’s look at the various ways you can go about doing this. Of course, nothing beats working with a knowledgeable, experienced real estate agent familiar with the market in your area. If you don’t have an agent, consult the HomeLight Agent Match. This free tool analyzes more than 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to help match you with a top agent in your area who can help you with pricing and more. Home values can be dramatically different in a nearby neighborhood, or even across the street if the view is significantly better.
If necessary, you can use the cost approach to approximate market value. This involves determining the value of the land based on area sales, plus the cost to build the same property. The property won’t be worth more than the cost of reproducing it. If the property in question was sold recently, according to Fannie Mae, it can serve as the fourth comp. Appraisers analyze comps in the area and consult the Multiple Listing Services as part of their calculations to determine a home’s value, usually for the purpose of mortgage approval.
Real estate comps should have the same neighborhood features such as distance to stores, waterfronts, and views. Also, keep in mind the local schools and access to public transportation. Accurate real estate comparables should be properties that have been built around the same time as yours. The purpose of a home appraisal is to determine the estimated value of the property. Appraisers first examine the condition of the home, then they compare the property with similar homes in the area. Real estate agents will also use a CMA to help you price your home appropriately if you’re looking to sell.

So again, using the example above, imagine your comp home sizes are 2,000, 2,060 and 2,180 square feet. Divide that number by the average price above ($416,000) and you get $200 per square foot. Picking the best real estate comps can be a challenge if you’re struggling to find homes for a house that closely compare to yours. You’re lucky if you live in a subdivision where floorpans, style, and finishes are similar.
While this isn’t always the case, a newer home will initially have a higher fair market value. If all the research and the math isn’t for you when it comes to calculating your home’s market value, there are alternatives. Access exclusive off-market investment properties from motivated sellers. They’ll know about a new planned development that could raise prices, if a grocery store is being built close by, or other non-monetary factors that could raise or lower a price.
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Real Estate Comps: What They Are And How To Find Them In Your Area
Also, keep in mind that using comps to determine your home value is not the exact way an appraiser will calculate the home’s value, but this process can be a good way to get an idea of what to expect. Simply put, real estate comparables – or “comps” – are comparable properties in a specific area that you’re looking to buy or sell in. Comps are used to determine the value of a home by comparing it to similar properties sold in the same neighborhood or in an area as close as possible to the house being valued. Knowing how important comparables are, some sellers may try to winnow through the records to come up with them on their own.
Once you’ve assembled your pool of similar properties, look at their sold prices. Active listings are not an accurate comparison point for your home’s value until they sell. Once you’ve gathered data on nearby homes that may be comparable to yours, you’ll have to determine which ones really are comparable. “Try to find houses that are as similar to the house you’re looking at as possible,” said Nathaniel Hovsepian, owner of The Expert Home Buyers, a real estate investing company. Agent directory can help you find an experienced real estate agent who is well-versed in navigating the MLS and finding appropriate comps for your property. And since they’re familiar with your area, they can interpret comps with an eye for area trends, home value appreciation and price per square foot.
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