What's My Home Worth?

A licensed agent uses a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)to determine your home's value. This is an in-depth look at recently sold homes in your area that are similar to yours in size, condition, age, and features.

Key factors an agent weighs during a CMA:

• Recent comparable sales ("comps") — homes sold nearby in the last 3–6 months
• Active listings — your competition on the market right now
• Expired listings — homes that did not sell, often because they were overpriced
• Location specifics — school districts, lot size, views, noise, proximity to amenities
• Condition and upgrades — renovated kitchens and baths, new roofs, curb appeal
• Market trend — is inventory rising or falling? Are buyers or sellers in control?

A CMA is not a formal appraisal, but it gives you a realistic, data-backed price range before you ever list. Done well, it positions your home to attract the right buyers quickly.

Online estimators (Zillow's Zestimate, Redfin Estimate, etc.) are a starting point — not a strategy. They pull broad public data and have no knowledge of your home's interior condition, your neighbor's recent renovation, or the micro-market dynamics that a local expert sees every day.

Here is why professional pricing matters:

• Overpricing costs you money. Homes that sit on the market develop a stigma. Buyers start to wonder what is wrong, and you often end up accepting less than if you had priced correctly from day one.
• Underpricing leaves equity on the table. A good agent helps you capture every dollar the market will support — and in a competitive situation, that means knowing when to expect and handle multiple offers.
• Pricing strategy is not just a number. It includes how you position the home online, what photography and marketing strategy you use, and how you respond to early market feedback.

Nina Flores provides a free, no-obligation CMA for homeowners in the Tucson and Southern Arizona area. She walks you through the data, explains the reasoning behind the recommended price range, and helps you make the decision that is right for your goals.

A real estate agent's CMA is ideal for listing strategy. But there are situations where you need a licensed appraiser — a neutral, state-certified professional whose written opinion of value carries legal and financial weight.

You may need an appraiser when:

• You are refinancing — most lenders require a formal appraisal to validate the new loan amount
• You are settling an estate and need an official value for probate or tax purposes
• You are going through a divorce and need a neutral valuation accepted by the court
• You are disputing your property taxes and need documented evidence of value
• You want a pre-listing appraisal to price your home with maximum credibility
• Your buyer's lender requires an independent appraisal as part of the mortgage process

An appraiser charges a fee (typically $300–$600 in the Tucson market) and provides a formal written report. Their valuation is independent and unbiased by the transaction.

Not sure whether you need an agent's CMA, an appraisal, or both? Nina can help you think through your situation before you spend a dollar.

• Get a CMA first.Even if you ultimately hire an appraiser, the agent's CMA helps you understand current buyer demand and competitive positioning.
• Do a pre-listing walkthrough. Small repairs and staging updates can meaningfully increase your final sale price.
• Trust the data, not sentiment. Your home has memories and meaning — but buyers are comparing it to every other active listing in the price range.
• Review the market trend. A rising market may support pricing at the top of your range; a cooling market may call for more aggressive positioning.