How I Determine Your Home’s Value
A Better Approach to Competitive Market Analysis (CMA)
If you’re thinking about selling your home, one of the first questions is:
👉 “What is my home worth?”
And while most agents will say they’ll “run a CMA”…
The reality is:
👉 Not all CMAs are created equal
What Is a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis)?
At its core, a CMA is a breakdown of:
-
Recently sold homes
-
Homes currently on the market
-
Homes that failed to sell
All within your neighborhood and price range.
👉 It’s a snapshot of what buyers have been willing to pay
But here’s the key…
👉 The data alone doesn’t determine your value
The Problem With Most CMAs
Most agents:
-
Pull a few comps
-
Average out prices
-
Give you a number
And that’s it.
But the market doesn’t work like that.
In one recent analysis:
-
Homes averaged 101.5% of list price
-
Some sold well OVER asking
-
Others sold below
👉 Same neighborhood… very different outcomes
So what made the difference?
👉 Strategy
My Process (This Is Where It Changes)
When I prepare a valuation, I don’t just “pull comps”
I break the market down step-by-step:
Step 1: Understand the Subject Property
Before I look at anything else, I dig into your home:
-
Bedrooms and bathrooms
-
Above grade square footage
-
Lot size and layout
-
Updates and condition
-
Location within the neighborhood
👉 Every detail matters because no two homes are identical
Step 2: Identify True Comparable Sales
Next, I analyze homes that have sold within the last 6 months.
But not just any homes…
👉 Homes that actually COMPETE with yours
I look at:
-
Similar layouts
-
Similar size ranges
-
Similar condition and updates
-
Same neighborhood or micro-location
Step 3: Break Everything Down by Price Per SQFT
This is where most agents stop short…
👉 I don’t just look at price — I normalize the data
I break every comparable down by:
👉 Above grade square footage
Why?
Because:
-
Basements are not valued the same as main living space
-
Many reports inflate SQFT with below-grade space
-
Buyers compare usable living space, not total finished area
👉 This creates a much more accurate valuation range
Step 4: Build a True Value Range (Not Just One Number)
Instead of giving you a single number…
👉 I create a range based on:
-
Low end (as-is / less updated homes)
-
Mid range (average condition)
-
High end (updated, move-in ready homes)
This shows:
-
Where your home fits today
-
Where it could be positioned
Step 5: Present the Data and Strategy
This is where the real value comes in.
I don’t just hand over numbers…
👉 I explain:
-
Why certain homes sold higher
-
Why others sold lower
-
Where buyers are most active
-
Where pricing “sweet spots” exist
And most importantly:
👉 How to position your home to maximize value
Why Pricing Strategy Matters More Than Ever
The market today is not just about value…
👉 It’s about how you enter the market
From the data:
-
Homes are selling quickly
-
Many are selling over list price
-
But not all homes perform the same
👉 That gap comes down to strategy, not luck
What This Means for You as a Seller
If you’re thinking about selling:
👉 Your home doesn’t just have a value
👉 It has a range + opportunity
The goal is not to:
-
“Test the market”
-
“Just list and see what happens”
The goal is to:
👉 Position your home to create demand
Why This Matters in Wheaton & DuPage County
In markets like Wheaton and DuPage County:
-
Buyers are highly informed
-
Inventory is competitive
-
Pricing mistakes cost real money
👉 That’s why accuracy matters
Want to Know What Your Home Is Worth?
If you’re even considering selling, the first step is understanding your position in today’s market.
👉 Start with My Website
👉 Explore more insights on my Blog
👉 Learn more about our approach at Lance Kammes Team
Final Thoughts
A CMA isn’t just a report.
👉 It’s a strategy tool
And when done correctly, it can mean the difference between:
-
Leaving money on the table
-
Or maximizing your home’s value
If you want a real breakdown of your home, I’m on standby 👍
