Example 1 - Waterfront:

Buyers usually see waterfront properties as very different from non-waterfront properties.  (And, usually pay much more for being on the water).

  • Probably, a waterfront property should be compared to other waterfront properties.  They are seen as significantly different from properties not on the water.

Example 2 - Number of bedrooms:

You have a 3-bedroom house.  Some houses in your neighbourhood have 3 bedrooms and some have 4 bedrooms.

  • While some buyers may prefer more rooms, others may prefer fewer but larger rooms.
  • It may be hard to show that buyers see 3 versus 4 bedroom homes as very different.

Probably, it is more appropriate to compare all single family houses in your municipality.


As a general rule:

We, at the Board, prefer a larger group of comparables unless there is a clear reason to look at a smaller group.