Best Practices, Troubleshooting, and Use Cases

Best Practices and Tips

This section outlines recommended practices to help you get the most out of the Sourcing Workspace. Following these tips will improve performance, enhance accuracy, and streamline your workflow when researching and tracking properties.

Optimizing Search Results

Efficient searching is essential for quickly locating the right opportunities within LightBox Live. The following practices can help ensure relevant and accurate results:

• Adjust zoom level: Zoom in close enough for parcel-level data to load when searching off-market properties. The recommended scale is within 1,000 feet.

• Use Saved Searches: Set up Saved Searches for each core market or investment strategy to reduce repetitive filtering in future sessions.

• Leverage dynamic updates: Remember that filters and map movement automatically update search results — there is no need to refresh manually.

• Update the Results: When you limit a search using the location filter, the results update automatically.

Data Freshness and Update Frequency

LightBox Live listing data is continuously updated to ensure accuracy and timeliness.

• Active Listings: Updated in real time as broker feeds and data sources refresh.

• Off-Market Properties: Updated regularly from transaction records, public assessor records, and tax records, with frequency varying by county or municipality.

• Parcel Boundaries and Layers: Updated as part of scheduled LightBox data maintenance releases.

Common Troubleshooting Scenarios

Below are common issues users may encounter while using the Sourcing Workspace, along with quick solutions.

Map Layers Not Displaying

• Cause: The map is zoomed out beyond the recommended viewing scale.

• Solution: Zoom in until the layer is selectable instead of un-selectable (gray) .

No Search Results Returned

• Cause: Filter criteria are too restrictive or the search area is too small.

• Solution: Widen the visible map area or clear filters to reset results.

Too Many Properties Found

• Cause: There is too much data trying to be pulled at once.

• Solution: Zoom in to a closer range until the message provides results after clicking Search in Area or Search in Drawing.

Slow Map Performance

• Cause: Excessive layers, browser extensions, or multiple tabs may affect performance.

• Solution: Disable unneeded layers, close unused browser tabs, and ensure your display scaling is set to 100%.

Property Details Not Loading

• Cause: Internet connectivity or temporary data sync delay.

• Solution: Refresh the browser page or click a different listing, then reselect the original property.

Workflow Optimization

Combining tools and features effectively can help maximize efficiency in LightBox Live. Consider the following workflow suggestions:

1. Start by applying broad search filters (e.g., property type, location).

2. Use Draw tools to isolate specific trade areas.

3. Switch to Table View for comparative review and sorting.

4. Save the configuration as a Saved View for future sessions.

5. Use Lists to track promising assets for due diligence.

Sourcing Use Cases

Identify Active Investment Opportunities

Description: Investor logs into the Sourcing workspace to browse and assess current on-market and off-market deals aligned with their investment thesis.

Actions

1. Set filters (location, property type, square footage, etc.).

2. View listings on the map and thumbnail panel.

3. Sort by newest, recommended, or saved.

Track Specific Markets or Deal Profiles

Description: Investor wants to monitor activity in target geographies or deal profiles over time.

Actions

1. Apply filters and create a saved search (e.g., Bay Area Industrial >100K SF).

2. Return to this view regularly to spot new opportunities.

3. Save promising listings for follow-up.

Evaluate an Individual Listing

Description: Investor receives a listing from a broker or sees it on the platform and wants to evaluate it quickly.

Actions

1. Click into the listing from thumbnail or map.

2. Review details, images, and file preview.

3. Contact broker.

4. Sign CA & view VDR.

Save Listings for Later Review

Description: While browsing, investor bookmarks promising listings to revisit later or review with their team.

Actions

1. Use the star icon to save listings.

2. Access saved listings from the Saved View.

Execute Confidentiality Agreements (CA)

Description: Investor wants to access detailed materials and needs to execute a CA.

Actions

1. Open the listing preview.

2. Click Sign CA.

3. Fill in the required information and agree to terms.

4. Unlock access to VDR.

Access Deal Documents in Virtual Deal Room (VDR)

Description: Investor reviews the deal materials to perform early-stage underwriting.

Actions

1. After signing CA, click into File Preview.

2. Review OM, rent rolls, site plans, financials, etc.

3. Option to export, print, or download files.

Compare Listings within a Submarket

Description: Investor wants to compare multiple properties in a specific neighborhood or region.

Actions

1. Zoom and pan map to area of interest.

2. Use filters to narrow results.

3. Open listing previews for comparison.

4. Save or share interesting options.

Research Broker Activity and Pipeline

Description: Investor wants to understand which brokers are most active in a certain market or asset type.

Actions

1. Filter listings by Sent By field (company or broker).

2. View their active listings.

3. Click through to Broker or Company entity pages.

Share Listings with Partners or Team

Description: Investor wants to quickly share a listing with a partner, investor, or analyst.

Actions

1. Use the Share feature to send via email, LinkedIn, Twitter, or platform messaging.

2. Add notes or comments as needed.

Explore Listings by Physical Location

Description: Investor prefers to explore listings geospatially to evaluate context and proximity.

Actions

1. Use map to navigate to areas of interest.

2. Hover or click pins to open listing preview.

3. Use Measure Tool to assess distances or site dimensions.

4. Overlay layers for more information on a listing’s proximity to hazards, points of interest, opportunity zones, and more.

Below is a reference list of common terms used throughout the Sourcing Workspace.