Pre-acquisition due diligence exists to close the gap between what you think you can build and what you're allowed to build.
Title and ownership, zoning and land use, environmental screening (FEMA, wetlands, endangered species, contamination).
Water and sewer availability, electric and gas, road access, stormwater management.
Topography, soil conditions (SSURGO), geotechnical hazards, seismic design category.
Comparable sales, absorption rates, rental market analysis, pipeline competition.