Key facts
- 89.6% of agents believe CMAs will become more relevant in the future.
- 83.2% of agents are likely to use AI-assisted CMA tools.
- 90.8% of agents trust MLS data most for comparable properties.
- Pricing disagreements caused 33.6% of agents to lose listings.
- Agents use fewer comparable properties in CMAs, averaging 8.7 maximums.
A survey of U.S. real estate professionals indicates that comparative market analyses (CMAs) are expected to grow in relevance, even as agents increasingly adopt artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The 2026 Survey of Best Practices for CMAs and Listing Presentations, which surveyed 2,165 professionals from November 2025 to February 2026, found that 89.6% believe CMAs will become more important, a significant increase from 67% in 2020. Concurrently, 83.2% of respondents are likely to use AI-assisted CMA tools.
Greg Robertson of Giant Steps Advisors highlighted that while AI can provide data, human agents are essential for understanding nuanced neighborhood conditions and presenting a persuasive case to sellers. This human element is crucial as pricing disagreements remain a primary obstacle, with 33.6% of agents reporting lost listings due to price disputes. The survey also noted that agents are preparing CMAs earlier, with 47.9% doing so at least a day before a listing presentation.