Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about OppMap and how scoring works.

What is OppMap?

OppMap is a free screening tool that helps real estate investors quickly evaluate whether a market is worth pursuing for self storage, warehouse/contractor bays, or flex commercial space. Enter a city and asset type, and get a score based on public data signals — in about 60 seconds.

How does the opportunity score work?

Each market is scored on four dimensions: demand (population, growth, income), supply (existing competitor density), cost (median home values as a proxy for land/construction costs), and risk (vacancy rates, market volatility). These signals are combined into a weighted composite score from 0–100. Higher scores indicate stronger potential.

Where does the data come from?

OppMap pulls from publicly available sources including the U.S. Census Bureau (population, income, housing data), Google Places API (competitor density and locations), and derived metrics. We do not use proprietary or paywalled datasets.

Is the data real-time?

Census data is updated annually. Competitor data from Google Places is fetched live when you run a search, then cached briefly for performance. Scores reflect the most recent public data available, but they are not real-time market feeds.

What asset types can I screen?

OppMap currently supports three asset types: self storage, warehouse & contractor bays, and flex commercial / storefront. Each type uses tailored scoring weights and competitor search terms.

Is OppMap free?

Yes. OppMap is completely free to use with no account required. There are no usage limits, no credit card needed, and no premium tier.

Should I make investment decisions based on OppMap scores?

No.OppMap is a screening tool, not an underwriting tool. Scores are directional indicators designed to help you decide what's worth looking into further. Always conduct your own due diligence, visit the market, verify data locally, and consult qualified professionals before making investment decisions.

What does "Budget Fit" mean?

Budget Fit compares estimated development or acquisition costs in a market against a budget you provide. It helps you quickly filter out markets that are likely too expensive for your capital — before you spend time analyzing them.

How does OppMap connect to BuildGrade and DealForge?

OppMap is part of a three-tool ecosystem. After screening a market in OppMap, you can estimate construction costs with BuildGrade, then run full investment underwriting in DealForge. Data from OppMap can pre-fill inputs in the other tools so you don't re-enter information.

What do the competitor pins on the map show?

The map displays existing businesses that match your selected asset type within your chosen radius. Pin colors indicate category (storage, warehouse, or commercial). This gives you a visual sense of supply density and clustering.

Can I share my results?

Yes. Every search generates a shareable report with a unique URL. The report includes your scores, competitor map, and market insights — and it renders a custom preview image when shared on social media or messaging apps.

Do you collect personal data?

No. OppMap does not require accounts, does not use cookies for tracking, and does not collect personally identifiable information. We use Vercel Analytics for anonymous, privacy-friendly usage metrics. See our Privacy Policy for details.