Which type of analysis is primarily used to determine the highest and best use of a property?

Feasibility analysis is the type of analysis that primarily determines the highest and best use of a property. This analysis involves evaluating the potential uses of a property to assess their financial viability, market demand, and compliance with local zoning laws and regulations. Highest and best use considers both the physical characteristics of the property and the market conditions to ensure that the chosen use is legally permissible, physically possible, financially feasible, and maximally productive.

This comprehensive approach is important because it allows appraisers to identify the most profitable and practical use for a property, guiding investment decisions, development plans, and valuation processes. By considering factors such as market trends, economic conditions, and the property's location, feasibility analysis helps ensure that the highest and best use aligns with current and future demands.

The other types of analysis mentioned would not be focused directly on identifying the highest and best use. Comparative market analysis is more about determining property value based on sales of similar properties, cost approach analysis involves estimating value based on the cost to create a property, and income potential analysis focuses specifically on the income-generating ability of a property rather than its overall best use.