No matter how attractive and polished your house may be, buyers will be comparing its price with everything else on the market. Your best guide is a record of what buyers have been willing to pay in the past few months for properties comparable to yours in your area. I will produce a thorough comparative market analysis (CMA) with the data of all comparables in your area. Based on these results, we will have a good idea of what the market value of your house is. The ultimate decision regarding how much to ask, however, is strictly yours. But I strongly encourage you to not fall into the temptation of overpricing the property- as this will only cost you thousands of dollars in the long run. REALTORS® don't establish value, the market does. I mention this because many real estate agents may come in here and try to buy your listing by saying they can get you more for your home. These attempts are done in hopes of securing the listing and coming back at a later date with a price reduction request- after all- you're already under contract. Remember, Realtors don't establish value- the market does. Analyzing market conditions. A comparative market analysis also known as a competitive market analysis, a market or a CMA- differs from a formal appraisal in several ways. The biggest difference is that an appraisal is based on past sales only while CMA's may take currently available properties and those pending a sale into consideration. Another major difference is that while an appraisal can cost you several hundred dollars, we will be more than happy to furnish a CMA to you at no cost or obligation. For the most part, a CMA is probably enough to let you set the proper price.