is one of the three classic approaches to estimating the value of real property. In the sales comparison approach, comparable sales are identified, analyzed, and compared to the subject property (the property being appraised). The sales prices of the comparable properties are adjusted downward to reflect features superior to the subject and upward to reflect the subject’s superior features.

The result is that each comparable sale’s adjusted sales price offers an indication of the subject’s value. The separate value indications from each of the sales can then be reconciled into a single value estimate. The concepts and techniques used in the application of the sales comparison approach are the same for residential and non-residential improvements.