Development Due Diligence
Acquisition, Feasibility & Closing Support
Development Due Diligence is the foundation of a successful real estate acquisition and development. Playbook partners with owners, developers, and investors to validate site feasibility, identify entitlement and infrastructure risks, and confirm lender and closing requirements—before significant capital is deployed.
Our structured due diligence process supports confident go / no-go decisions, reduces uncertainty, and streamlines the transition from site evaluation through financing and closing.
Our Due Diligence Approach
Project Alignment & Diligence Planning
We begin by aligning diligence efforts with the client’s development objectives, underwriting assumptions, schedule, and transaction structure. This early coordination ensures that all diligence activities support informed decision-making and critical deal milestones.
Services include:
- Coordination with the client and broker to define site or building-specific due diligence requirements
- Review of purchase and sale agreements, closing timelines, and extension periods
- Development of a milestone-based diligence schedule tied to acquisition and financing deadlines
- Early identification of critical path items and potential deal constraints
Zoning, Entitlements & Jurisdictional Research
We research and verify the regulatory and entitlement framework governing each site to confirm the feasibility of the proposed development program and identify approval risks early.
Services include:
- Zoning and land use research with the applicable Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
- Confirmation of permitting pathways for grading and/or building permits
- Identification of rezoning, special use permit, variance, or discretionary approval requirements, if applicable
- Documentation of anticipated review timelines, approval authorities, and entitlement risk factors
- Verification of utility availability and capacity, including power, gas, water, sewer, and data
Consultant Procurement & Technical Coordination
Playbook manages the procurement and coordination of third-party consultants required for due diligence, ensuring scopes, fees, and schedules align with project needs and lender requirements.
Services include:
- Development of RFPs and bid packages for civil engineering, geotechnical, surveying, environmental, demolition, abatement, and other site-specific consultants
- Leadership of consultant selection, scope development, fee negotiations, and contract coordination
- Schedule and deliverable coordination across all due diligence disciplines
- Alignment of consultant scopes with acquisition and financing requirements
Site, Building & Environmental Assessments
We coordinate and review technical assessments to identify physical, environmental, and subsurface risks that may impact cost, schedule, or constructability.
Services include:
- Property Condition Assessments (PCA)
- Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and management of Phase II investigations, if required
- Asbestos and hazardous materials surveys
- Soil borings, geotechnical testing, and subsurface evaluations
- Review of findings with the client to identify risks, mitigation strategies, and next steps
Transportation, Access & Infrastructure Review
Access, off-site improvements, and infrastructure capacity often present significant risk during acquisition. We evaluate these factors early to avoid delays and unforeseen costs.
Services include:
- Coordination with NCDOT, CDOT, or other agencies regarding driveway permits and off-site requirements
- Identification of traffic impact study requirements, if applicable
- Evaluation of frontage, access, and circulation constraints
- Confirmation of utility routing and off-site infrastructure needs
Transaction, Lease & Closing Support
Playbook supports the transaction through closing by coordinating required documentation and serving as a central point of contact for attorneys, lenders, and brokers.
Services include:
- Organization and delivery of due diligence documentation for loan underwriting and closing
- Direct coordination with lenders regarding documentation, certifications, and timing requirements
- Review of work letters and lease exhibits related to landlord and tenant improvement obligations
- Support during lease negotiations as requested by the client and broker
Typical Deliverables
- Milestone-based due diligence schedule
- Coordinated third-party consultant package
- Conceptual site planning
- Consolidated due diligence risk and feasibility summary.
- Pre-development budget and schedule validation
- Lender-ready documentation to support financing and closing
Why Playbook
Our due diligence services are often the first phase of a longer-term partnership. By providing continuity from acquisition through design, construction, and occupancy, we help clients reduce risk, maintain momentum, and execute their development strategy with confidence.
Playbook’s due diligence framework is scalable across industrial, office, flex, manufacturing, mixed-use, and specialized facilities and is designed to meet the expectations of national developers, institutional investors, and commercial lenders.
