Have you driven around to analyze other strip centers and see where the credit tenants are located??

Think of REI as a 4 legged stool.Leg 1 - Buyers - for Investors, FHA Buyers, Tenant Buyers, Owner Financing BuyersLeg 2 - Sellers - A B C D Areas, Needs Work, Pretty Houses, Equity, No EquityLeg 3 - Funding - Bank Loans, Private Lenders, JV Split Partners, Hard Money Lenders, Owner Financing for Free and Clear Houses.Leg 4 - COIs - Center of Influence Referral Partners - Only after you have success stories, like CPAs, Attorneys, Financial Planners, etc to refer you business.Techniques include: Wholesaling, Rehabbing, Lease Option Flips, Sub2 Rent Out, Sub 2 Lease Option, etc.Private Lenders for Buy and Hold was your question.I would focus on sub2 and rent out.

Most recently, I've had a lot of network operations center work with AT&T and HP.

Concerns are: cracks in foundation, hot water (radiant) heat is suspect, electrical in each portion of the property needs to be redone, plaster ceiling in carriage house is crumbling at its center suggesting water damage to the roof.

I totally agree 65th Center is okay area.If I recall correctly 65th Center is surround by a lot of small businesses.( stores, activities, beauty and barber shops, etc )Most family that would move into this apartment building would be looking for Wauwatosa education for their children.Just my two cents

What do I do if the old owner is a pain, wants thousands, or worse refuses to sell and wants to be stupid like drop a fence down the center of the drive?

The are around the outside edges of the rooms, not in the center.

My question is:If for example you build a large subdivision and have plans to build an enclosed rec center (with maybe a bball courts, pool, banquet room, etc..).

I want to get into commercial real estate and start off small with a 5-20 unit apt complex and maybe work my way up to retail centers.

And Wendell to answer your question, residential just seems easier to get into, unless one of my mentors like one of the deals I can find for them and somehow structure the deals where i can become an equity partner in the property for my construction services...Carolina, the new mall is off of Balmoral ave, right across the street from the rose not convention center.