Exit strategy for commercial loans

[Joe T.]

I have a few commercial real estate loans which are fixed rate for 5 years on a 20 year amortization schedule.

My lenders assure me that at the end of each 5 years, I can get another similar loan with the prevailing rates.

The problem is that I would be on the first 5 years of a 20 year amortization schedule every time- which means that I’d be paying mostly interest. It would take forever to pay off this mortgage.

What should be  the general strategy here?

 These properties are meant to be my retirement. Should I aim to get Enough cash to pay them off? Or should I sell them at some point?
Unclear what the best exit strategy is, or whether I should think of it as cash flow and not worry about the fact that I will barely ever touch the principal?