I tracked the owner down and approached him at his Jewelry store.

Sounds like strategy call would make most sense to see what your goals are with REI and being an agent to determine if the organization I represent aligns with the direction you are looking to go. 

In some cases, it may not be possible to purchase and store materials, but if it is, that is one way to protect your budget and avoid a costly mistake.The last thing I would offer for you to think about is having a pivot plan. 

The store is beautiful now.

That is like walking into the store to buy juice that is for sale for $5 and paying them $7 for it because you want to pay more than what the juice is worth.

AAPL is another one  that is just a private organization that teach's folks how to lend their own money or others in states its legal and they have courses and info and a big convention etc and you get to say your certified AAPL lender ..

By understanding the local market and organizing a strong support network, you will unlock varied opportunities for growth and long-run success.If you’re interested in learning more about how to get started or want to discuss specific opportunities in Phoenix, feel free to reach out to local experts or explore educational resources tailored to this market.How many foreclosures are there today vs 2010 or historical average in Maricopa county? 

Building a NetworkNew agents struggle to build a network that can provide them with leads and support.Solution: Attend networking events, join professional organizations, and offer value to others.

Changing Preferences for People’s Desire to Live in the Metro AreaThis is likely due to the newfound appreciation for these types of community and experiential activities from the inability to access them during the Pandemic, as well as the lack of need to be near transactional retail stores with consumers now being accustomed to doing a lot of their shopping online.

Let brokerage grow, tenants pay down mortgage, and save up for another property organically (Cons - slow growth, waisting equity// Pros - low risk)2) Cash out the $300k brokerage account, pay off the townhouse, start cash-flowing $2,400/mo, and save up for new investment or 1031 into multi family(Cons - cap gains tax on cash out, high Oregon income tax penalty, hard to find deals being $2,400 monthly cash flow) // Pros- cash flow, increased leverage into large investment)3) Cash out $300k brokerage and put into separate Multi Fam property, hoping for $2,400/mo+ cash flow, keep townhouse rented as is (Cons - cap gains tax on cash out, not utilizing equity PROs - increase portfolio value, higher upside with value add or rent increase on new units?)