Inside the Mind of an Appraiser: How We Actually Pick Comparable Sales (and No, It’s Not Random)

Ever had a client or agent ask, “Why didn’t you use the sale down the street?” Yeah… we get that one a lot. Truth is, appraisers don’t just grab three random houses off Zillow and call it a day. There’s actually a method (and a little madness) behind every comp that makes it onto your appraisal report. As a state-certified residential appraiser here in Montgomery County , I spend way too many late nights cross-referencing MLS, county records, and TrueTracts maps to make sure every sale I use actually reflects the market for your property. Here’s a peek behind the curtain. 🔍 Step 1: Location, Location… Market Area Forget the myth that every comp must be within a one-mile radius. That might work in a cookie-cutter subdivision, but around Lake Conroe , you’ve got waterfront, acreage, cul-de-sacs, and houses with shops big enough to store a small aircraft. What really matters is the market area — homes competing for the same buyer. Sometimes that’s within a mile, sometimes it’s a...