Stop making Ira contributions as you’ve learned real estate is a better investment.

He owned it free and clear and we contracted it for 50k and sold it to one of our buyers for 185k.

Anybody has the historic yearly appreciation data on storefront retail spaces in mixed-use (with hundreds of residential spaces above) commercial real estate? 

If you get a good deal on the price, my suggestion would be the second route to finish the renovation and try to sell.

Most likely those would be smaller apartments, sub 50 units.It is harder to find solid property management on the smaller apartments.  

On a purchase, yes.

Quote from @Virginia Frost: I'm always looking for a good opportunity but honestly my next purchase will probably be something that I don't have to do a total overhaul on.

Be sure to tag your post with the location so local folks can reach out to you. 

A local property manager will make this much easier and handle the visits for you.Single-family homes can still do well, even with more apartments popping up, as they cater to tenants who want privacy and space.

Plus managing tenants is a bit more time consuming with this model.