Run site selection as a funnel: set hard criteria, build a long list, screen every site on zoning, parcel and ownership facts, and spend feasibility work and site visits only on the short list. Location analytics tools fit the trade-area part; Titleman fits the property part, with a property passport per address and a feasibility study in about 28 minutes at the median.
Updated 19 October 2026. Published by Titleman, which makes one of the tools compared.
The method, step by step
- Criteria. Use, size, frontage, parking, budget and target trade areas, written down first.
- Long list. From brokers, your own pipeline and a property search across target areas.
- Trade-area screen. Demographics, traffic, competition and cannibalization of your own stores.
- Property screen. Zoning for the use, lot, owner of record, sales, recorded debt, permits.
- Feasibility on the short list. Build or fit-out cost, rent or value, and what the site supports.
- Visits and LOI. Then due diligence with counsel and an inspector.
Which tool fits which stage
| Option | Best for | What it does | Where it stops | Pricing model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenant rep broker | Market knowledge and negotiation | Finds sites, tours, negotiates terms | Screens what they know of; analysis depth varies | Commission, usually paid on the deal |
| Location analytics tool | Trade-area work | Demographics, foot traffic, sales forecasts by area | Says little about the parcel's zoning, owner or debt | Subscription |
| Spreadsheet by hand | A few sites | Any criteria you track | Records gathered one site at a time | Staff time |
| General AI chatbot | Drafting criteria and checklists | Summarizes what you paste | No sourced parcel or zoning facts | Per-seat subscription |
| Titleman | The property screen and feasibility on many sites | Passport per address, zoning check, feasibility, values for a list of up to 10 addresses per run, property search | Trade-area sales forecasting is a job for location analytics tools; a licensed professional reviews | Credits per run; ask on a demo |
| Consultant feasibility study | One major site, a board decision | Full study with site work | Weeks per site | Fee per engagement |
The numbers
Medians on production runs in the 30 days to 18 October 2026: a feasibility study took about 28 minutes and a value opinion on a list of up to 10 addresses about 28 minutes per run. These are medians, not promises.
FAQ
How long does site selection take with AI?
The desk part shrinks: on production runs in the 30 days to 18 October 2026, a feasibility study took about 28 minutes at the median. Visits and negotiation do not.
Which part of site selection does Titleman not cover?
Trade-area work such as demographics, foot traffic and sales forecasts is what location analytics tools are built for. Titleman covers the property: zoning, parcel, owner, recorded debt, permits, feasibility and value.
Do I still need a broker and a site visit?
Yes. A broker brings off-market sites and negotiates terms, and a visit shows access, visibility and condition that records do not. The desk screen decides which sites earn that time.
For the wider tool comparison see the best AI tools for commercial real estate. Related: how many days site selection takes, what the engine checks when screening 20 locations and how a retail chain screens 20 candidate sites in a week. See land feasibility software. To screen your own list, request a demo.