What does "due diligence" refer to in real estate?

Due diligence in real estate refers to the thorough investigation and analysis of a property before making a transaction. This process typically involves examining various aspects of the property, such as its physical condition, legal status, financial viability, zoning regulations, and any potential risks associated with the transaction. By conducting due diligence, a buyer or investor can make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the purchase and at what price. This critical step helps uncover any issues that might not be apparent during a casual viewing and protects the buyer from potential pitfalls in the investment.

The other options, while related to different aspects of real estate transactions, do not accurately capture the scope of due diligence. Marketing a property relates to promoting it to potential buyers, negotiating focuses on discussing and agreeing upon the price, and completing paperwork for title transfer is a procedural task that occurs after the decision to buy has been made. None of these options encompass the investigative approach that characterizes due diligence.