Help Center
Get up and running with your first property analysis in minutes
Sign up with your email and verify your account to get started
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Enter a property address to see our comprehensive analysis in action
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Dive into demographic data and housing trends for your area
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Compare similar properties to set competitive rental rates
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Understand development limits, height restrictions, and permitted uses
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Maximize development potential and building design optimization
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Using The Platform
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Popular Questions
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You must select from the dropdown suggestions that appear as you type. Our system only includes verified properties from our database to ensure data accuracy.
If your address doesn’t appear, try these solutions:Enter just the street number and name (without city/state)
Try alternative formats (eg., ‘Street” vs ‘St’, ‘Avenue’ vs ‘Ave’)
Check for spelling errors in the street name
Use nearby addresses if your exact property isn’t listed
Try entering just the street name without the number
Our database covers most major metropolitan areas, but some newer developments or rural properties may not be included yet. If you continue having issues, contact our support team at help@algoma.co with the property address and we’ll help locate it in our system or add it to our database.
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NA (Not Available) means data is not available for that specific metric or property. This is completely normal and can happen for several reasons:
Common reasons for NA values:
• The property is too new to have historical data
• Our data source doesn't have coverage for that specific area
• The metric isn't applicable to that property type (e.g., rental data for vacant land)
• The data hasn't been updated in our most recent refresh cycle
• Privacy restrictions prevent sharing certain data pointsWhat this means for your analysis:
• NA values don't affect the overall quality of your analysis
• Focus on the metrics that are available
• Use comparable properties with complete data for benchmarking
• Consider the context - some missing data is expectedMost properties will have some NA values, especially for newer developments or unique property types. This doesn't indicate a problem with our system or your analysis.
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All your previous studies are automatically saved and easily accessible through the 'Recent Studies' section:
To find your analyses:
1. Look for 'Recent Studies' in the left navigation menu on your dashboard
2. Your analyses are listed chronologically with the most recent first
3. Click on any analysis title to view or continue working on it
4. Use the search box at the top to find specific properties by address
5. Filter by date range, analysis status, or property typeAdditional features:
• Bookmark frequently accessed analyses for quick access
• Share analysis links with team members (they'll need platform access)
• Export summary data (feature coming soon)
• Set up analysis alerts for property changesData retention:
All analyses remain in your account indefinitely - there's no automatic deletion. You can manually archive old analyses if you want to clean up your workspace, but they'll still be accessible in your archive folder.
Additional Questions
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You must select from the dropdown suggestions that appear as you type. Our system only includes verified properties from our database to ensure data accuracy.
If your address doesn't appear, try these solutions:
• Enter just the street number and name (without city/state)
• Try alternative formats (e.g., 'Street' vs 'St', 'Avenue' vs 'Ave')
• Check for spelling errors in the street name
• Use nearby addresses if your exact property isn't listed
• Try entering just the street name without the numberOur database covers most major metropolitan areas, but some newer developments or rural properties may not be included yet. If you continue having issues, contact our support team at support@algoma.com with the property address and we'll help locate it in our system or add it to our database.
Was this helpful?
Enter just the street number and name (without city/state)
Try alternative formats (eg., ‘Street” vs ‘St’, ‘Avenue’ vs ‘Ave’)
Check for spelling errors in the street name
Use nearby addresses if your exact property isn’t listed
Try entering just the street name without the number
Our database covers most major metropolitan areas, but some newer developments or rural properties may not be included yet. If you continue having issues, contact our support team at help@algoma.co with the property address and we’ll help locate it in our system or add it to our database.
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Different data types are updated on varying schedules to balance freshness with accuracy:
Real-time updates:
• Rent Comparables: As new listings become available
• Market trends: Daily aggregation of new transactionsWeekly updates:
• Sales comparables
• Pricing trend analysisMonthly updates:
• Building permits and development pipeline
• Economic indicators and employment data
• Housing inventory and absorption ratesQuarterly updates:
• Zoning regulations and municipal code changes
• Development impact fees and requirements
• School district boundaries and ratingsAnnual updates:
• Demographics based on census and survey data
• Income and household characteristics
• Population growth projectionsHow to check data freshness:
You can see the last update date for each data source in your analysis details section. -
Algoma combines authoritative government data with premium commercial providers to deliver comprehensive real estate analysis:
Government Data Sources
U.S. Census Bureau
American Community Survey (ACS): Demographics, income, household data
Building Permits Survey (BPS): Monthly construction permit activity
HUD (Housing and Urban Development)
Housing Data: Fair market rents, income limits, affordable housing metrics
Commercial Real Estate Data
Zonomics
Provides: Detailed zoning regulations, land use codes, development standards
Data Includes: FAR, height limits, setbacks, permitted uses, parking requirements
HelloData
Provides: Real-time rent comparables and market analysis
Data Includes: Current asking rents, concessions, unit availability, historical pricing
Unique Feature: AI-powered comp selection and effective rent calculations
Regrid
Provides: Nationwide parcel boundaries and property data
Data Includes: Property lines, ownership, addresses, tax assessments, building footprints
Mapping and Location Services
Google APIs
Maps, Places, and Street View for address verification
Geocoding for latitude/longitude coordinates
Street-level imagery for property visualization
Mapbox
Interactive map rendering
Custom map styling for data visualization
Advanced geospatial features
Update Frequencies
Daily: Rent comparables (HelloData)
Monthly: Building permits (Census), Parcel data (Regrid)
Annual: Demographics (Census ACS)
Weekly: New zoning jurisdictions added (Zonomics)
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Algoma provides different levels of coverage across the United States, depending on data availability:
Coverage by Analysis Type
Full Analysis Available
Where: 160+ cities with complete zoning data
Includes: All modules - property search, demographics, zoning details, rent comps, market intelligence
Major Markets:
Northeast: NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC
West: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas
South: Houston, Dallas, Austin, Atlanta, Miami, Nashville
Midwest: Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, Columbus
Standard Analysis Available
Where: All U.S. locations Includes: Property search, demographics, rent comps, building permits, parcel data Limited: Detailed zoning regulations (basic zoning only via Regrid)Coverage by Data Type
Property Search - 100% USA - No limitations, works everywhere
Demographics - 100% USA - Census covers all areas
Building Permits - 100% USA - Census tracks nationwide
Rent Comps - All multifamily markets - Limited in rural areas with few rentals
Parcel Boundaries - 100% USA - Regrid has complete coverage
Detailed Zoning - 160+ cities
Site Capacity - Will match zoning coverage
Geographic Expansion
Current Status
Detailed zoning available in 160+ cities across 20+ states
Full nationwide parcel and demographic coverage
What You Can Do Today Even in areas without detailed zoning, you can:
Search any U.S. property address
Access demographic and income data
View rent comparables (where available)
Analyze building permit trends
See parcel boundaries and ownership
Coverage Map Key
Full Coverage: All data sources available Standard Coverage: Everything except detailed zoning
Limited Coverage: Rural areas may lack rent comps -
Yes, you can easily adjust the search radius for rent comparables to better match your specific analysis needs:
How to Adjust Search Radius:
1. Open your property analysis and navigate to the Rent Comps section
2. Click on 'Adjust Search Parameters' at the top of the comps list
3. Use the radius slider to select from the radius
4. Choose additional filters:
- Property types to include/exclude
- Age of buildings (e.g., built after 2000)
- Unit size ranges
- Amenity requirements
5. Click 'Update Analysis' to refresh the data with new parametersRecommended Radius Guidelines:
• 0.25-0.5 miles: Best for dense urban areas with consistent housing stock
• 0.5-1 mile: Ideal for suburban markets and most analyses
• 1-2 miles: Necessary for rural areas or markets with limited rental inventoryRadius Strategy Tips:
• Start with 0.5 miles and expand if you need more data points
• Consider neighborhood boundaries and natural barriers
• Exclude different submarkets (e.g., across major highways)
• Balance quantity of comps with relevance and similarityAdvanced Options:
• Exclude specific addresses or buildings
• Weight comparables by distance and similarity
• Set different radii for different property typesLarger radii provide more data points but may include less relevant comparables. The optimal radius depends on your market density and the uniqueness of your property.
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While we strive for accuracy across all our data sources, discrepancies can occasionally occur. Here's what to do if you notice any inconsistencies:
Common Types of Discrepancies
Zoning classifications that don't match current municipal records
Rent comparables that seem outdated or incorrect
Property details that differ from public records
Demographic data that appears inconsistent
Building permit information that's missing recent activity
What To Do If You Find a Discrepancy
First, verify the information:
Check the data source listed in your analysis
Note the "Last Updated" date for that data type
Compare with official sources when available
Then, contact us:
Email help@algoma.com with details about the discrepancy
Include the property address and specific data point in question
Attach screenshots showing both our data and the correct information
Provide links to official sources if available
Why Discrepancies May Occur
Data timing differences:
Our providers update on different schedules (daily, monthly, quarterly)
Recent changes may not yet be reflected in source databases
Local jurisdictions update their records at varying speeds
Data source limitations:
Some rural areas have less frequently updated records
Complex properties may have multiple data interpretations
Overlay districts and special zones can create confusion
We appreciate your help in maintaining data quality. User feedback is essential for continuous improvement, and we take all reports seriously. When in doubt, reach out to help@algoma.com - we're here to ensure you have accurate information for your analysis.
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Market intelligence provides crucial demographic and economic context for your investment decisions. Here's how to read and apply the key metrics:
Population Growth Analysis:
• Positive growth (2%+ annually): Strong demand indicator, good for rental properties
• Stable growth (0-2%): Mature market, focus on replacement demand
• Negative growth: May indicate declining demand, investigate causes
• Compare: Always compare local growth to regional and national averages
• Time horizon: Look at 3-5 year trends rather than single-year changesMedian Income Interpretation:
• Income levels: Shows market purchasing power for rent pricing
• Growth trends: Rising incomes support rent growth potential
• Housing cost ratios: Aim for rent that's 25-30% of median income
• Income diversity: Multiple income sources indicate market stabilityHousing Cost Burden Analysis:
• Low burden (<25%): Room for rent growth, undervalued market
• Moderate burden (25-35%): Balanced market conditions
• High burden (>35%): Affordability constraints, pricing pressure risk
• Trends: Increasing burden may indicate market maturityEmployment Data Application:
• Job growth: Positive growth supports housing demand
• Employer diversity: Multiple major employers reduce risk
• Industry mix: Technology and healthcare typically support higher rents
• Proximity factors: Distance to major employment centers affects desirabilityUsing This Data Effectively:
1. Validate your rent assumptions against income levels
2. Assess long-term demand sustainability
3. Identify emerging vs. mature markets
4. Understand competitive positioning
5. Forecast absorption and leasing velocityContext for Decision Making:
Use this data to understand the broader market story beyond just comparable properties. Strong demographics can justify premium pricing, while weak indicators might suggest conservative approaches or different target markets. -
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Email us at help@algoma.com for support. We typically respond within 24 hours during business days.