- AVMs are fast and cheap, best for screening and monitoring.
- CMAs are agent-prepared and built for pricing conversations.
- Appraisals are formal opinions required for many lending decisions.
Three numbers, three jobs
An AVM is a model's estimate. A CMA (comparative market analysis) is an agent's pricing study. An appraisal is a licensed professional's formal opinion of value.
They often land close together, but they are made for different decisions.
When to use an AVM
Use an AVM when you need speed and scale: screening hundreds of deals, monitoring a portfolio, or getting a first read before you dig in. It costs almost nothing per property and updates as the market moves.
When to use a CMA
Use a CMA when you're pricing a listing or preparing an offer and want a person's judgment on which comps really match. A good CMA explains every adjustment.
When you need an appraisal
Lenders usually require an appraisal or another approved valuation for a mortgage decision. Appraisals include an inspection and follow professional standards.
The best workflows use all three: an AVM to screen, a CMA to price, and an appraisal when the rules require it.
