Comparable Sales (Comps)
Comparable sales (comps) are recently sold properties similar to a subject property in location, size, and characteristics, used to estimate its current market value.
What comps are
Comps are the foundation of market-value estimation. To value a property, an appraiser, agent, or investor finds recently sold properties that are similar in location, size, age, condition, and use, then adjusts for differences. The closer the match and the more recent the sale, the more reliable the comparison.
What makes a good comp
Strong comps are nearby, sold recently (ideally within the last 6 to 12 months), and similar in the attributes that drive value — lot size, building size, zoning, and condition. For land, acreage, zoning, and access matter most. Weak or cherry-picked comps produce misleading valuations, which is why transaction history and ownership data are checked carefully.
Finding comps in Paxiv
Paxiv surfaces transaction history and ownership data on parcels nationwide, so you can identify recent sales of similar properties and the owners behind them in one place. Plain-English AI search lets you filter by location, acreage, and characteristics to assemble a comparable set without stitching together separate data sources. The core platform is free.
Frequently asked questions
What are comps in real estate?
Comps, short for comparable sales, are recently sold properties similar to a subject property in location, size, and characteristics. They are used to estimate the subject property's current market value.
What makes a good comparable sale?
A good comp is nearby, sold recently (ideally within 6 to 12 months), and similar in the attributes that drive value — lot size, building size, zoning, and condition. The closer the match, the more reliable the valuation.
How many comps do you need to value a property?
Three to six strong comparable sales is a common rule of thumb, though more is better when the matches are imperfect. Quality of the match matters more than the raw count.