Frequently Asked Questions

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I'm a homeowner

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I want to sell on my own (FSBO)

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Privacy & data questions

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The CMA report — 6 questions

What is a CMA report and why do I need one? ▼

A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is a professional evaluation of your home's current market value, prepared by a licensed real estate agent. It compares your home against recently sold properties, active listings, and market trends in your immediate area.

Why it matters: Online tools like Zillow use algorithms that cannot see inside your home, account for your specific upgrades, or understand your street-level market. A CMA is prepared by a human who actually understands your property. It gives you a defensible number — one you can use to price your home confidently, negotiate effectively, or simply make informed decisions about your property.

💡 A free CMA from CMAyourHouse costs you nothing and gives you the foundation for every other homeowner decision you will make.

How is the CMAyourHouse valuation different from Zillow or Redfin? ▼

Zillow, Redfin, and similar platforms use automated valuation models — algorithms that process publicly available data. They cannot account for the actual condition of your home, recent renovations, unique features, lot characteristics, or the nuances of your specific micro-market.

CMAyourHouse connects you with a licensed agent who speaks with you directly, asks about your home, visits or video tours when needed, and applies professional judgment to produce a valuation you can actually rely on. We do not let a computer guess at your home's value — we have a person figure it out.

How long does the CMA process take? ▼

The intake form takes about 5 minutes to complete. After that, a licensed agent will contact you to schedule a brief phone or video call — typically within a business day. The research and report preparation usually takes 1–3 business days after that call, depending on your market and the complexity of your property.

Total from intake to report: typically 2–5 business days.

Is the CMA report really free? What is the catch? ▼

Yes — completely free for homeowners. There is no catch and no hidden fee.

How does it work financially? CMAyourHouse is a lead generation and introduction platform for real estate agents. Agents participate in the platform because they want to connect with motivated, pre-qualified sellers like you. If you decide to list your home and connect with an agent through us, the agent earns a commission from the eventual sale — that is the standard real estate model. We never take a cut from you. If you never sell, that is fine too. You still got a free professional valuation.

💡 Homeowners are always free. Agents pay for the introduction opportunity — not you.

What does the CMA report include? ▼

Your CMA report includes:

• Comparable sold properties — homes similar to yours that have recently closed in your area
• Active listings — current competition you would be priced against
• Your estimated market value range — not just one number, but a range that reflects real conditions
• Neighborhood market trends — whether prices are rising, flat, or declining
• Agent commentary — professional observations about how to price and position your home
• Selling strategy recommendations — timing, preparation steps, and next action items

Does getting a CMA mean I am committed to selling? ▼

Absolutely not. Getting a CMA is an information exercise, not a commitment. Many homeowners get a CMA simply to know their number — for retirement planning, estate planning, curiosity, or to understand their equity position.

You are not required to list, connect with an agent, or take any action after receiving your report. The decision to sell is entirely yours, and you make it with full information.

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Selling your home — 4 questions

Is now a good time to sell my home? ▼

The honest answer: it depends entirely on your personal situation, your equity position, your next move, and your local market — not on national headlines.

We have a full educational page on this exact question that walks through every scenario — from rate-locked homeowners to downsizing retirees to high-net-worth sellers with complex motivations. Read our Sell Smart guide →

💡 The best time to sell is when your number is right and your situation calls for it — not when the news says so.

What if I want to sell my home myself without an agent? ▼

We support that too. Our FSBO (For Sale By Owner) listing page lets you create your own property listing with photos, details, pricing, and privacy controls — and showcase it to buyers browsing our platform.

Agents on our platform are prohibited from cold-calling FSBO listings. Any contact from an agent comes through our platform introduction process only — with your approval.

Create your FSBO listing →

Should I renovate before selling? ▼

It depends on the renovation. Some improvements consistently deliver strong returns at sale — fresh paint, landscaping, cleaning, and staging. Others, like full kitchen remodels or pool installations, rarely recoup their cost.

The most important thing to know before spending any money is your home's current value and the ceiling for your neighborhood. Without that number, you cannot know if a renovation will pay off. Get your CMA first — then decide what to spend.

We have a detailed renovation guide at CMAyourHouse Renovation Guide →

What areas do you serve? ▼

CMAyourHouse currently serves the greater Seattle and Everett metro area, including Snohomish County and King County, Washington. This includes zip codes in Everett, Marysville, Mukilteo, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mill Creek, Shoreline, and surrounding communities.

If you are outside our current coverage area, contact us — we are actively expanding and may be able to assist or refer you.

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Getting started — 5 questions

How do I register as an agent on CMAyourHouse? ▼

Registration begins on our For Agents page. You will provide your Washington State license information, declare your service zip codes, and agree to our platform privacy terms.

Once verified, your profile goes live in the agent catalog and you become eligible to receive homeowner introduction requests from sellers in your declared territory.

What do I get with each introduction? ▼

Every introduction through CMAyourHouse includes:

• The homeowner's profile — name, contact, property address, motivation, and timeline
• The completed CMA report — the licensed agent-reviewed valuation already done
• The homeowner's explicit approval — they chose you specifically to contact them

This means your first call is warm. The homeowner knows your name, knows you are calling, and has already been through the valuation process. You show up prepared — not guessing.

💡 The leads are everywhere. The difference is how you show up — and we put you in a position to show up better than anyone else.

What does it cost to be on the platform? ▼

There is no upfront cost to register and create your profile on CMAyourHouse. Speak with us about how our success-based model works — we do not publish specific fees publicly because we discuss the arrangement directly with each agent based on their market and goals.

Contact us to discuss agent registration →

Can I choose which zip codes I want leads from? ▼

Yes. When you register, you declare your service territory by zip code. Introduction requests from homeowners in those zip codes will be routed to you. You can update your territory as your business evolves.

Homeowners can see which agents serve their zip code and select specifically who they want to connect with — so your profile, ratings, and market knowledge matter.

What are my obligations as a platform agent? ▼

All platform agents agree to:

• No cold calling FSBO listings on the CMAyourHouse platform — all agent contact with homeowners goes through the introduction process only
• Respond promptly to introduction requests — homeowners who request you are ready to talk
• Maintain your license in good standing with the Washington State Department of Licensing
• Treat homeowner data with confidentiality — information shared through introductions is for the purpose of that introduction only

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How introductions work — 3 questions

Are leads exclusive to me? ▼

Homeowners choose which agents they want to connect with from the agent catalog. If a homeowner requests an introduction specifically to you, that introduction is yours. However, the homeowner may also request introductions to other agents at the same time.

The honest truth: leads exist everywhere — Zillow, Realtor.com, cold lists, door knocking. What CMAyourHouse gives you is a higher quality first conversation with a homeowner who already knows your name and has gone through the full CMA process. That is the competitive edge — not exclusivity.

How quickly should I respond to an introduction request? ▼

As quickly as possible. Homeowners who request an introduction are at a decision point — they have filled out a form, completed a CMA process, browsed the agent catalog, and specifically selected you. That is a motivated, informed seller.

Agents who respond quickly and come prepared win the listing. We recommend responding within a few hours of receiving the notification, and reaching out with your CMA report already in hand.

Can I contact FSBO sellers listed on the platform? ▼

No — not directly. FSBO sellers on the CMAyourHouse platform have chosen to list their home without an agent. Our platform commitment to these homeowners is that agents will not cold-call them.

If a FSBO seller decides they want to connect with an agent, they can initiate that process through the platform's introduction system. If that happens, you will be notified and can respond through proper channels.

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Selling your home yourself — 6 questions

What is a FSBO listing on CMAyourHouse? ▼

FSBO stands for For Sale By Owner — it means you are selling your home without hiring a listing agent. CMAyourHouse provides a FSBO listing page where you can create your own property listing, upload photos, set your price, and showcase your home to buyers browsing our platform.

You maintain full control of the listing, your privacy settings, and who you allow to contact you. Creating a FSBO listing on our platform is free for homeowners.

Will agents harass me if I list FSBO on your platform? ▼

No. Every agent on the CMAyourHouse platform has signed an agreement that prohibits cold calling FSBO listings. Any contact from an agent must go through our introduction system — which means you control whether any agent can contact you at all.

If you want to talk to an agent, you can initiate that through the platform. If you do not, no agent will reach out to you directly.

What do I need to create a FSBO listing? ▼

To create a complete FSBO listing you will need:

• Photos of your home — interior and exterior (minimum 3, more is better)
• Basic property details — square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, year built
• Your asking price — we recommend getting a CMA first so you price accurately
• A description of your home — highlights, recent upgrades, and neighborhood details
• Your contact preferences — how you want buyers to reach you

You can set privacy controls on your listing to show or hide your exact address, contact info, and other personal details until you are ready to share them.

Should I still get a CMA even if I am selling FSBO? ▼

Absolutely yes — arguably more important when selling FSBO than with an agent.

When you sell without a listing agent, you are responsible for setting your own price. Pricing too high means your home sits. Pricing too low means you leave money on the table. A CMA gives you a professional, data-backed valuation that protects you from both mistakes.

Getting a CMA before setting your FSBO price is one of the smartest things you can do as a self-represented seller.

💡 It's free. Get it first, then price your listing from a position of knowledge.

What legal documents do I need to sell FSBO in Washington State? ▼

We are not attorneys and this is not legal advice — always consult a licensed real estate attorney for your specific situation.

Generally, Washington State FSBO sellers are responsible for preparing or obtaining: a purchase and sale agreement, required seller disclosure forms (Form 17 in Washington), title/escrow handling, and coordination of the closing process. Many FSBO sellers hire a real estate attorney or limited-service broker to handle the paperwork even without a full listing agent.

Resources: Washington State Department of Licensing, Washington Realtors Association, or a licensed real estate attorney in your county.

What if I change my mind and want an agent after all? ▼

Completely fine — and we make that easy. If you created a FSBO listing but decide you want professional representation, you can browse the agent catalog, request a warm introduction to an agent in your area, and transition seamlessly. Your CMA report and property details will already be on file. There is no penalty or lock-in for starting as FSBO.

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Your privacy & data — 6 questions

Who sees my information when I fill out the intake form? ▼

When you fill out the intake form, your information is received by the CMAyourHouse team only. It is used to prepare your CMA report and facilitate the process.

No agent receives your contact information unless you specifically request an introduction to that agent. Your information is never shared with a list of agents, sold to third parties, or used for marketing purposes outside of what you have explicitly agreed to.

Do you sell my contact information to agents or third parties? ▼

No. We never sell your contact information. This is a foundational commitment of our platform.

Agents pay to participate in the CMAyourHouse platform — not to receive bulk contact lists. They receive information about a specific homeowner only when that homeowner has explicitly requested an introduction to them. Your phone number and email are not commodities on our platform — they are protected until you choose to share them.

Will I receive spam or cold calls after signing up? ▼

Our platform is designed specifically to prevent this. Agents agree to our no-cold-calling terms when they join. Your information is only shared when you initiate an introduction.

We may send you a confirmation email and follow-up communications related to your CMA report — but we do not share your contact details with agents unless you request it, and we do not send unsolicited marketing to your phone.

Can I request that my information be deleted? ▼

Yes. You can contact our Privacy Compliance Officer at pco@cmayourhouse.com to request deletion of your personal information from our records.

We comply with applicable Washington State privacy laws and will process deletion requests in a timely manner. Note that some information may be retained as required by law or for legitimate business purposes.

Is my home address shown publicly on the platform? ▼

For CMA requests: your address is used internally to prepare the report but is not displayed publicly.

For FSBO listings: you control your privacy settings. You can choose to show your full address, show only your neighborhood or zip code, or hide your address entirely until you choose to reveal it to a specific buyer or agent. You decide how much information is visible and to whom.

How do I contact your Privacy Compliance Officer? ▼

You can reach our Privacy Compliance Officer directly at:

📧 pco@cmayourhouse.com

For general questions, you can also reach us at info@cmayourhouse.com or by calling (206) 451-7113 during business hours (Monday–Friday 8am–7pm, Saturday 9am–3pm).

Got questions?
We have answers.

5 steps from your front door to your home's true value

CMAyourHouse at a glance

We are real people. Ask us directly.

Got questions?We have answers.

5 steps from your front door to your home's true value

CMAyourHouse at a glance

We are real people. Ask us directly.

Got questions?
We have answers.