Real estate developers are concerned with building on raw land. The term realtor refers to a standard of service provided by members of The Canadian Real Estate Association who follow a strict code of ethics. When investigating potential locations, companies can contact local municipal offices. Most of them have economic development departments to provide facts and to help in the site selection process. Municipalities also provide information regarding zoning and by-laws and they issue building permits.
Public incentives play a role in the final stages of the decision process.
Toronto has been extremely successful in promoting its re-sources. This city, as well as Los Angeles, Mexico City and Miami, has been pinpointed as a city positioned to become an economic hub in the 21st century's global marketplace.