Next time you see a group of teenage girls, look out for pants that stop at the calf, and a waste that's so high it covers their belly button -- oh, look, it's 1982 again.

If the line has been scoped, the plumber shouldn't have to guess whether or not the line has a belly in it. 

Thank you keep in mind you just don't wake up one day and pull this type of project off its a progression in ones career.And I could not do it without a fantastic Banker who has been with me through the good times and the bad ( 2008 to 2011)It was said banker that encouraged me to have no debt on the land for additional project safety instead of max debt which of course juices returns and allowing an exit strategy if needed.   

Every time I've seen someone go down this path it is either unsuccessful or the juice was hardly worth the squeeze. 

I'd encourage you to look to juice every ounce of learning out of it before moving on.Specifically in retail you have a situation perfectly paralleled to real estate (agenting and investing) -- everyone that walks into your store doesn't want to talk to you, or if they do then they at least have some suspicions of you at play in their mind. 

I believe the property was either in bankruptcy court or had a proxy seller of some sort -- the previous owner may have owned several properties and went belly-up on his investments.

Short version, it takes a major "in" like I had, a person well established with plenty of political "juice" to assure all things will actually happen and result in an operation.

And I am a people person with enough motivation to power a ship. lol.So, here is my worry: I want to make the jump and invest myself fully into real estate property investing but I am worried that I will run out of money and go belly up fast.

Juicing your "returns" with savings.

It takes a little work and creative juices, and some networking, but you can get those leases signed and either refi or flip it.