Desktop due diligence is a preliminary analysis of a real estate opportunity conducted entirely through remote data sources — without physical site visits or third-party field reports. It's used to make early-stage go/no-go decisions before committing to the time and cost of full due diligence. AI has dramatically expanded what's possible in desktop due diligence by processing vastly more data sources than manual approaches.
Desktop due diligence is most valuable in three scenarios: screening a large pipeline of opportunities to identify which merit full investigation, conducting rapid analysis on time-sensitive deals, and evaluating opportunities in markets where you don't have a local team. It's a triage tool that helps allocate full due diligence resources to the most promising opportunities.
A thorough desktop due diligence package typically covers: ownership and title research, zoning and land use review, environmental screening (flood maps, contamination databases, wetland delineations), infrastructure assessment (utilities, transportation access), market overview (comparable sales, lease rates, vacancy), preliminary financial modeling, and regulatory review. AI systems can compile all of this in hours.
Desktop due diligence has inherent limitations — it can't identify physical site conditions, confirm utility capacity through provider consultation, or replace Phase I ESAs for environmental clearance. It's designed to be a fast, cost-effective filter, not a replacement for comprehensive due diligence on opportunities that pass the initial screen.
AI due diligence in commercial real estate uses artificial intelligence to automate and accelerate the research, analysis, and reporting that precedes a real estate investment or development decision. AI systems can process environmental records, zoning codes, title documents, financial data, and market comparables simultaneously — producing comprehensive due diligence packages in hours instead of weeks.
Environmental due diligence is the investigation of environmental conditions and risks associated with a commercial real estate property or development site. It encompasses contamination screening, flood zone assessment, wetland delineation, hazardous materials evaluation, regulatory compliance review, and Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessment coordination. AI tools have accelerated the initial screening phase dramatically.
AI property analysis uses artificial intelligence to evaluate the physical, financial, regulatory, and market characteristics of commercial real estate properties. By integrating data from GIS systems, public records, financial databases, and market platforms, AI property analysis produces comprehensive property assessments that combine physical analysis, financial modeling, and market positioning.