If a comparable property is superior to the subject property, what action is taken with the sales price?

When evaluating comparable properties in real estate, particularly when a comparable is superior to the subject property, it's important to ensure that the comparison reflects the true market value of the subject property. A superior property typically has features, amenities, or conditions that make it more desirable than the subject property.

To arrive at a fair value assessment for the subject property, the sales price of the superior comparable must be adjusted downward. This adjustment accounts for the differences in characteristics between the two properties, ensuring that the analysis reflects a more accurate value for the subject property. By reducing the sales price of the superior property, appraisers and agents can effectively correlate the two properties on a level playing field, allowing for a better understanding of how much less the subject property might be worth due to its inferior features or conditions.

This principle is fundamental in comparative market analysis (CMA) and ensures that the adjustment process accurately represents the differences in value between properties.