Let's face it, we analyticals enjoy working on the numbers.  And, if you're an amiable analytical, you enjoy working on the numbers for the benefit of seller prospects with whom you come in contact as a Realtor.  

The thing that intriques me, however, is how many agents spend such little time on the CMA yet appear to be, at least for the moment, very successful. 

I definitely prefer preparing my "Maximum Market Value Report" rather than a simple CMA.  In it, I take the time to do exactly what I was trained to do in my early real estate listing training classes.  Perhaps this is a huge part of why I have been fortunate, in over two (2) years, to have never had a listing expire.  The other HUGE part of that is ... LUCK!!!  

Unfortunately, I'm afraid that even with the most seasoned and professional approach to doing a CMA, or my MMVR, we're heading into a time when even the best efforts produce poor results, unless we can miraculously find highly motivated sellers -- sellers who are willing to list BELOW the market, to get their properties sold quickly.  And, quite frankly, who wants to do that?   Only the ones who need to "dump" their real estate?  I think not. 

The sellers who are willing to list just a little below the market, as appropriate for today's market, are using a "Pricing Penetration" strategy -- the stuff of Wal-Mart(tm) fame.   But to REALLY be able to know pricing, does a Realtor really want to take an appraisal course?   If you're already good with taking the time to make the proper adjustments on the comps, then make sure you weigh in the factors of expireds and the amount of competition on the market, how much better does one need to get?  

I know the typical agent's "lick and a promise" effort to doing a CMA is not enough for me, but how do the high transaction producers manage the detail of Proper Pricing to Prevent Pitifully Poor Performance?  

So far, the extra effort HAS paid off for me, and my seller clients, but with the glut of listings continuing to increase, I'm afraid my record is about to be crushed!   Where have all of the buyers gone?