My wife is an accountant and she has several clients who own apartments, shopping centers, hotels, motels- all very successful and none of them are 'passive' with their investments. 

In addition to that, lots of retail has actually been demolished over the past decade to make room for higher density projects, like apartments.That said, most retail landlords with high quality shopping centers aren't dying for deals.

I recommend working with an experienced broker who can shop multiple investors for you.

I recommend using a broker who can shop a bunch of different lenders and their platforms for you.

Shop around to see where you can get the coverage you want at the price you want . . . we have done well with Steadily as they shop carriers and can get what you want for the specific situation you are in. 

., just a couple thoughts.When I was shopping loans for larger properties, the lenders I was talking to would have accepted a signed Property management agreement as the "experience".  

I would let a broker shop this out for you.

There is a lot of time wasted with buyers so make sure you understand their goals, timeline, and make sure they are actually ready to move and not window shop.

Jersey Mike's does not want a Subway in the space next to them because they are both competing for the same client during any given lunch rush so every retailer wants to find the highest quality shopping center they can and protect their space by using an Exclusive Use Clause which, in this case, would give Jersey Mike's the exclusive right to sell sandwiches in the shopping center and gives them legal remedies should the Landlord lease to another tenant that sells sandwhiches. 

If you don't have a contractor, shop around for the hardware (appliances, counters, flooring, etc..) to get an idea of the material costs then add in labor of hourly rates for the install.