7 Ways Realtors Can Run Comps to Price Homes Accurately

realtor running comps for clients for real estate

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Pricing a property correctly can make or break a deal. If you price too high, the listing might sit for months without offers. If you price too low, your client loses money. Learning how to run comps in real estate is one of the most important skills a realtor can master. Comps, or comparable sales, provide the foundation for setting a price that is both competitive and realistic.

In this guide, we’ll break down the step-by-step process of running comps, share practical examples, and highlight tools that make your job easier.

Why Learning How to Run Comps in Real Estate is Essential

Comps aren’t just numbers on a page. They are the pulse of the market. By analyzing recent sales of similar homes, you can:

  • Set a listing price that attracts buyers while protecting your client’s equity

  • Help buyers make strong, competitive offers

  • Build credibility as a knowledgeable market expert

  • Gain confidence when negotiating with other agents

According to Zillow, homes priced correctly from day one sell 57% faster than homes that require a price reduction later.

What Are Real Estate Comps?

“Comps” is short for comparable sales. These are recently sold homes that are similar to the property you’re pricing in terms of:

  • Location

  • Square footage

  • Bedrooms and bathrooms

  • Lot size

  • Age and condition

  • Style and features

The key is finding homes that truly mirror the subject property so your pricing recommendation is grounded in reality.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Run Comps in Real Estate

Step 1: Define the Subject Property

Before searching, clearly outline your property details:

  • Location and neighborhood

  • Square footage

  • Number of bedrooms and bathrooms

  • Lot size and unique features (pool, finished basement, upgraded kitchen)

Having this baseline ensures you know what to compare.

Step 2: Set Your Search Parameters

Use your MLS or a trusted tool. Most agents search within:

  • Location radius: Ideally within the same subdivision or within a mile

  • Timeframe: Sales in the past 3 to 6 months

  • Size range: About 10 to 20% smaller or larger than your subject property

Step 3: Narrow Down to True Comparables

Not every sale that shows up in your search is a valid comp. Eliminate:

  • Distressed sales or foreclosures that sold far under market value

  • Homes in inferior or superior school districts

  • Properties with unusual circumstances like seller concessions that heavily impacted price

Step 4: Analyze Price Per Square Foot

Calculate the average price per square foot for your comps. Then multiply that number by your subject property’s square footage. This creates a baseline pricing range.

Step 5: Adjust for Key Differences

No two properties are identical. Adjust prices up or down for features such as:

  • Finished basement (+)

  • Outdated kitchen (-)

  • Larger lot size (+)

  • Busy street location (-)

Adjustments keep the comparison realistic.

Suburban neighborhood at golden hour with holographic home prices floating above houses to represent real estate comps.

At Digital Dream Homes, we’ve spoken to countless real estate agents over the years. One thing keeps coming up in those conversations: the ongoing debate of Facebook ads vs Google ads for realtors. It’s a hot topic because every agent wants to know which one will get them the most leads and, more importantly, the most closings.

We’ve seen agents pour thousands into Facebook campaigns and we’ve watched others dominate their market using Google. And the truth is clear. While Facebook ads can look promising on the surface, Google ads consistently bring in more serious buyers and sellers who actually convert.

Why Facebook Ads Tempt So Many Realtors

On paper, Facebook ads sound amazing. You can reach thousands of people in your area, target specific demographics, and get a ton of clicks for relatively little cost. The problem? Most of those clicks don’t turn into deals.

Here’s why. People go to Facebook to scroll, watch videos, and catch up with friends, not to shop for homes or hire a realtor. Even if they click on your ad, they’re often just curious. They might fill out a form, then immediately keep scrolling and forget they ever interacted with you.

When you try to follow up, you get the dreaded silence. Calls go unanswered. Texts get ignored. Emails bounce around in their inbox unopened. You’ve just spent money to generate a lead who isn’t even thinking seriously about buying or selling.

This is why so many agents say Facebook ads give them “a lot of leads but no closings.” The audience is cold. You’re interrupting them with a message they weren’t looking for. That’s called disruptive marketing, and in real estate, it often leads to wasted time and money.

If you’ve read our post on real estate website conversion tips, you know that the warmer the lead, the easier the conversion. And that’s where Google ads completely outshine Facebook.

Why Google Ads Deliver Warmer, More Qualified Leads

When someone searches for “homes for sale in Phoenix” or “sell my house fast in Dallas” on Google, they’re telling you exactly what they want. These are high-intent searches. They’re not casually browsing, they’re actively looking for solutions. And that makes them the perfect audience for your services.

With Google ads, you can target these exact keywords and show up at the very top of the search results. Not just on page one, above Zillow, Realtor.com, and all the other big players. Imagine a local homeowner typing in “best realtor near me” and seeing yourname.com sitting above the competition. That’s an instant credibility boost.

Once they click your ad, they land on your website where they can explore listings, read about your services, and get to know you. You’re not trying to convince them to think about real estate, they’re already there mentally. Now you just need to show them why you’re the right agent for the job.

If you’ve followed the strategies in real estate SEO best practices, your site will not only capture their attention but also keep them engaged long enough to convert.

The Targeting Power of Google Ads

The beauty of Google ads is how precise you can get with targeting. You can choose:

  • Location: Only show ads to people in your city or a specific radius

  • Keywords: Bid on exact phrases your ideal clients search for

  • Time of day: Run ads when people are most likely to search for homes

  • Device type: Focus on mobile users if that’s where most of your leads come from

This means you’re not paying for clicks from people outside your market or from those who aren’t anywhere near ready to move. Every dollar goes toward reaching people who are actively in the market for a home or a realtor.

Compare that to Facebook ads, where your targeting is mostly based on demographics and interests. You might be able to narrow it down to “people interested in real estate in Chicago,” but you can’t guarantee they’re actually planning to buy or sell in the near future.

realtor running comps for clients for real estate

Step 6: Determine the Price Range

After making adjustments, you’ll have a range rather than a single number. For example:

  • Low end: $435,000

  • High end: $460,000

  • Recommended list price: $449,900

This approach provides flexibility while still keeping the property competitive.

Step 7: Present Findings to Your Client

Show your client the comps, explain your adjustments, and walk them through why you recommend a certain price. Transparency builds trust and reduces pushback.

Real-World Scenario

Imagine you are listing a 2,000-square-foot home in a suburban neighborhood. You find three comps:

  1. 1,950 sq. ft. sold for $440,000 with an updated kitchen

  2. 2,100 sq. ft. sold for $455,000 but on a busy road

  3. 2,050 sq. ft. sold for $462,000 with a finished basement

After adjustments, you recommend $449,000. Your client agrees, and the property sells in 12 days with two offers above asking. That’s the power of accurate comps.

Tools Realtors Can Use to Run Comps

Common Mistakes Realtors Make When Running Comps

  1. Using outdated sales beyond six months

  2. Ignoring location differences like school districts or busy roads

  3. Failing to adjust for condition upgrades or needed repairs

  4. Over-relying on automated tools without human analysis

Marketing Tip: Share Your Comps Expertise Online

Running comps isn’t just for private client meetings. You can:

  • Post market updates on your blog

  • Create quick social media videos explaining neighborhood trends

  • Offer free CMA reports on your website

This positions you as the market expert in your area. For content ideas, check out Real Estate Blog Post Ideas.

The Connection Between Comps and Online Strategy

Your ability to run comps accurately is tied directly to how you present yourself online. Clients look for realtors who are data-driven and transparent. That’s why your website should highlight tools and knowledge that prove your expertise. At Digital Dream Homes, we integrate IDX feeds, home value calculators, and SEO strategies so your site attracts clients who are actively searching for answers. See our post on Best Free Tools for Realtors and Facebook Ads vs Google Ads for Realtors to explore more ways to strengthen your presence.

Bringing It All Together

Learning how to run comps in real estate is a skill that builds trust, attracts referrals, and ensures your listings move quickly. When you combine comps expertise with a strong digital presence, you create the perfect recipe for long-term success.

At Digital Dream Homes, we design luxury realtor websites that showcase your expertise and include the tools needed to educate and convert clients. Book a free consultation today to see how we can help you stand out in your market.

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