A Clear, Friendly Guide to What Happens Before the “For Sale” Sign Goes Up
When you’re getting ready to sell your home or land, one of the first things we do at Big Frontier Group is prepare a CMA—a Comparative Market Analysis.
This isn’t a guess. It’s not a Zillow estimate. And it’s not magic.
It’s a thoughtful, data-driven, hyper-local report that helps us figure out what your property is worth in today’s market.
If you’re wondering how it works (or why it matters so much), here’s a plain-English look at what we do, why we do it, and how it helps you make confident selling decisions.
🧭 What Is a CMA?
A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is a report that compares your property to similar properties that have recently sold, are currently on the market, or were listed but didn’t sell.
We look at:
Recent sales (what buyers are actually paying)
Active listings (your current competition)
Pending listings (what’s in play right now)
Expired listings (what didn’t sell—and why)
We then use all that info to estimate a competitive price range for your property based on market behavior—not just square footage.
🏡 What Do We Compare?
Not every property is apples-to-apples—but we get as close as possible by comparing:
Location (neighborhood, rural vs. in-town, proximity to key features)
Lot size and usable land
Square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms
Condition, upgrades, or quirks
Views, utilities, access, and terrain (especially for land)
Any unique selling points (studio space, guest cabin, water rights, etc.)
In rural Colorado especially, pricing land or homes means understanding subtle differences. That’s where local experience really matters.
📸 What About Online Estimates?
Zillow and Redfin use automated formulas that often miss critical factors—like slope, access, water availability, or whether the county even allows building.
Online tools can be a starting point, but a CMA is:
Done by a real person
Based on real data
Includes local knowledge and buyer behavior trends
Customized to your exact situation
📐 What Happens During the CMA Process?
Here’s what we do, step-by-step:
Initial Conversation
We learn about your goals, timeline, and anything special about the property.Property Research
We pull comps from the MLS, public records, and off-market sources we know.On-Site Walkthrough (If Needed)
For homes or improved properties, we may walk through in person or virtually to assess condition and updates.Data Analysis
We compare key metrics (price per acre, price per square foot, location value, etc.).Pricing Strategy
We deliver a range and recommend a pricing strategy:Competitive Pricing
Strategic Underpricing (to drive traffic)
Holding for Premium
Discussion + Next Steps
We walk you through the report, explain the logic, and make a clear game plan.
The CMA is a conversation—not just a document.
💡 Why It Matters
A strong CMA:
Prevents your property from sitting unsold
Protects your equity by avoiding underpricing
Helps buyers (and their agents) take your listing seriously
Saves time by aligning price with market realities
Pricing isn’t about what we “hope” to get. It’s about what the market will actually support—and how we position your property to win.
🧱 Final Word: Clarity Builds Confidence
You deserve more than a wild guess.
Whether you’re selling a mountain home, an off-grid lot, or a turnkey property in town—we take the time to understand it fully, compare it wisely, and price it with purpose.
At Big Frontier Group, we’ll never push you to list too high or too low. We’ll give you the data, the context, and the strategy—so you can decide what’s best.
🎯 Want a CMA on your Colorado property? We’re happy to run one, no pressure.