CMA

Definition

Comparative Market Analysis—a report comparing similar properties to determine a home's market value. It's like Zillow's estimate, except prepared by an actual human who might know what they're doing.

Example Usage

The CMA showed that my 'vintage' home is worth significantly less than my Zillow-fueled dreams suggested.

Origin

Standard real estate practice developed in the 1970s as the industry professionalized

Fun Fact

Unlike appraisals, CMAs aren't regulated, so they're basically educated guesses in fancy formatting.

Source: Real estate listing and pricing terminology

Related Terms

Intermediate

Zoning

Government rules about what you can and cannot do with your own property, because apparently buying it doesn't mean you get to decide what happens on it. Want to build a shed? That'll be six permits and a public hearing.

🏠 Real Estate

Intermediate

Cash Offer

The real estate equivalent of bringing a bazooka to a knife fight. When someone shows up with actual money and no mortgage contingency, every other buyer might as well go home and write in their journal.

🏠 Real Estate

Intermediate

mixed-use development

A property combining residential, commercial, and sometimes industrial uses in a single project or neighborhood, embodying new urbanist principles. It's the 'you can live, work, and play here' development model that promises walkability while often delivering overpriced studios above chain restaurants.

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Beginner

Days on Market

The public countdown timer that silently shames a property for not selling fast enough. After 30 days, neighbors start whispering. After 90, the house might as well have a scarlet letter on the lawn sign.

🏠 Real Estate

Intermediate

Fair Market Value

A completely made-up number that everyone pretends is scientific because an appraiser with a clipboard said so. It's "fair" the same way a casino is "fair" -- technically accurate but someone always feels robbed.

🏠 Real Estate

Intermediate

jumbo loan

A mortgage exceeding conforming loan limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, typically requiring better credit and larger down payments. It's called 'jumbo' because both the loan and the payments are supersized.

🏠 Real Estate

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