Discover the CMA that puts buyers first
For buyers’ agents, accurately understanding a property’s value is critical — especially when time is limited. Whether you’re appraising a fresh listing, preparing for a client presentation, or conducting market research, a fast and reliable Buyer Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) gives you the edge. It equips you with the insights needed to act decisively, uncover value, and negotiate with confidence.
What does CMA stand for in real estate? CMA stands for comparative market analysis. A CMA report compares a property with recent sales, current listings and rentals of similar properties nearby to work out a fair price range. Agents use seller CMAs to set an asking price. Buyers agents use a buyer CMA to decide what a property is really worth before making an offer.
Updated October 2026: the steps below now match the current Stash app. Comparables are picked in Comparable Properties, the PDF comes from Print Property Report, and you can now send clients a live link with Share Live Property set to Buyer Report.
See it in action?
Video: Creating a Buyer CMA on Stash BA. (7 minutes)
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What is a Buyer’s CMA?
A Buyer’s Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is used to help buyers determine a fair purchase price by analysing recent sales of similar properties, current listings, and those under contract. It’s focused on identifying value, supporting negotiation, and ensuring the buyer doesn’t overpay.
In contrast, a Seller’s CMA is designed to help a property owner set an appropriate asking price by highlighting comparable sales, active competition, and unique features that justify a premium.
While both CMAs rely on similar data, they differ in purpose and perspective: the buyer’s CMA is value-driven and conservative, aiming to uncover potential bargains or renovation opportunities, whereas the seller’s CMA is more strategic and price-optimised, often presented in a way that positions the property in the best possible light to attract buyers.
1. Start by searching the property
At Stash, we’ve made it our mission to simplify the CMA process without compromising on detail. Here’s how you can run a smarter CMA using our platform — in just a few clicks. It all begins with a property address. You can either type it in or simply click a location on the map. Stash immediately generates a full property profile, giving you access to vital data that would otherwise take hours to find.
Understanding where property prices sit in relation to the suburb median is crucial for understanding renovator potential
2. Get the full picture
Each profile includes property specifics like year built, land size, zoning, sale history, and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. But we don’t stop there. The Price Estimate card shows an automated estimate with a low to high range and a confidence level. Under Research Price Estimates, Stash also finds the same property on portals such as Domain and onthehouse, so you can cross-check their estimates in one click instead of searching each site. See Live links to property portals.
- Price estimate
- Sales history
- Year built
- Property dimensions & area
- Proximity to public transport, and shopping hubs
- School catchments
- Road noise levels
- Nearby development activity
The most comprehensive property profile telling the buyer everything they need to know.
3. Run risk overlay checks instantly
Forget jumping between council & state government portals — we’ve integrated key risk overlays like:
- Flood maps (where available) provides information about the suburb’s location within designated flood planning areas, such as those for river, creek, and storm tide flooding, as well as overland flow risks.
- Bushfire maps (where available) provide information about the suburb’s location within designated bushfire-prone areas.
- Biodiversity maps (where available) provide information about the presence of important habitats, endangered species, and conservation areas.
- Before You Dig maps (where available) provide information about the location of underground infrastructure within a suburb, including water and sewer lines, gas pipelines, electrical cables, and telecommunications infrastructure.
Know when not to buy the property. Rule properties out quicker with Stash.
4. Understand the market story
To better understand how a property fits within its local context, it’s important to assess how it compares to others in the suburb. This includes seeing where it sits relative to the suburb median, understanding its position within the local market, and evaluating how it aligns with broader suburb trends. These insights help buyers make informed decisions based on value, growth potential, and overall market fit.
Compare the property to the suburb
- Median prices
- Rental yields
- Vacancy rates
- Growth trends over 10 years
- Days on market
- Social profiles
- Population growth
- % discounting
- Building approvals
Want to compare different dwelling types? It’s as simple as toggling between 3-bed, 4-bed, and 5-bed properties.
5. Identify comparable sales
Click Comparable Properties in the property’s side menu, then choose Comparable Sold Properties, a radius (500m to 5km, or the whole suburb) and a time period. Filters for property type, price, build year, bedrooms, bathrooms, car spaces, area and zone narrow the list, and colour-coded price markers on the map show where each sale sits from the lowest 25% to the highest 25%. Untick any property that isn’t a fair comparison and the median updates, then click ADD TO MY COMPARABLES to save the set for your report. You can run the same search for rentals, current listings and withdrawn listings. See Advanced comparable sales search.
When comparing a property using comparable sales (comps), it’s important to look for similarities that directly influence market value. Here’s what to consider:
-
Location:
Ensure the comparables are in the same suburb or neighbourhood, ideally within a 1–2 km radius, and in a similar school catchment or lifestyle zone. -
Land size and dimensions:
Properties with similar lot sizes, frontages, and topography offer more accurate comparisons. -
Dwelling type and style:
Match with similar property types (e.g. freestanding house, townhouse, or unit) and architectural style or build era. -
Internal features:
Look at the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, and overall internal floor space. -
Condition and renovations:
Compare the state of maintenance or level of renovation — a fully updated home will differ greatly from an original condition one. -
Parking and extras:
Consider car spaces, garages, pools, outdoor entertaining areas, or granny flats. -
Zoning and development potential:
Check if the subject property and comparables fall under the same zoning or overlay conditions. -
Sale date:
Use recent sales — ideally within the past 3–6 months — to reflect current market conditions. -
Sale conditions:
Note if a comparable was a distressed sale, off-market deal, or auction result, as this may impact price. -
Price per square metre:
Useful for benchmarking, especially in higher-density or infill areas.
Each of these factors helps ensure you’re comparing like-for-like, giving you a reliable estimate of market value and a solid foundation for your Buyer CMA.
Use price estimates as a guide not gospel
Automatic price estimates from real estate portals can be a helpful starting point, but they shouldn’t be relied on in isolation. These estimates are generated using algorithms that may not account for key factors like recent renovations, property condition, unique features, or local market nuances. Instead, use them as one of several inputs when assessing a property’s value—alongside recent comparable sales, suburb trends, and on-the-ground insights. This ensures a more accurate, context-aware Buyer CMA.
How much is a property actually worth?
Identifying markets within markets. Not every part of a suburb is equal. Find the hidden gems with Stash.
6. Customise your Buyer CMA report
Once you’ve saved your comparables, click Print Property Report at the bottom of the property page and open Report Settings. Add the report name, who it’s prepared for and your contact details, switch pages such as Price Guide, Comparable Sold Properties, Market Insights and Risks & Overlays on or off, and drag them into order. Then click Download Report for a PDF that is professional, polished and ready to share with clients. You can include or exclude key data depending on your audience, whether that’s an investor, first-time buyer or developer. See Create a property development report.
Prefer a link instead of a PDF? Click Share Live Property, choose Buyer Report, and pick whether the price shows as an estimate, your own price assessment or not at all. Your client gets a live page that stays up to date (if your plan includes live sharing).
See how Future Proof Property create branded reports on any property in literally seconds. Get a free trial here.
Consistent branding across every report helps reinforce your credibility and professionalism. It ensures your clients receive a unified message and presentation style, making it easier to compare properties and trust your recommendations.
With Stash, every CMA reflects your brand, streamlining communication and strengthening your position as a trusted advisor.
