I've been in retail management for the last 16 years and now am trying to get into the world of real estate.   

BP isn't about hoping to only pay full retail price.

I was also thinking of purchasing the property myself and then evicting then "flipping" it for retail once it's vacant.

@Kendra WilsonWhen you are evaluating a property you should be trying to determine the fair market value instead of the assessed value, in other words, what would a retail buyer pay for it if it was all fixed up and in great condition.  

I would push back hard as almost no other retail buyer is going to go for this

I'm trying to finish the SoW as quickly as possible, but I would like a GC lined up before I close mid-July.Can anyone recommend me to investor-friendly (i.e. not retail) contractors?  

I feel for the OP as far too many first time buyers get into these 203K type deals where they are purchasing retail then spending 50-100k or more with zero construction knowledgeOn a side note, we are in Key West for a month then heading to North Carolina for a wedding but we plan on spending a few days in Charleston. 

That subject area's retail development. 

I figure if the big corporations are investing millions of dollars in buying land and construction of new retail stores they vet out the area way more than any of us can.

Some may be rehabbed houses that I list and sell at retail, the commissions of which will help fund my transition into full time RE more quickly.