I'm strongly considering The CE Shop, but would love to hear from someone who's already gone through the process. 

True and for $31,000.00 I can show people how to turn that into $500,000.00 in a year by doing it themselves. 

@Jay Hinrichs So true!

People think the federal government can make any law they wish, but that isn't actually true.

@Felix Rodriguez  Let me know if you come to town...happy to talk shop!  

My wife is an accountant and she has several clients who own apartments, shopping centers, hotels, motels- all very successful and none of them are 'passive' with their investments. 

I focus on commercials, but that is true in SFR flips etc too as I hear from my friends.

But based on what you wrote, lenders will not touch something that small.Very true.

In addition to that, lots of retail has actually been demolished over the past decade to make room for higher density projects, like apartments.That said, most retail landlords with high quality shopping centers aren't dying for deals.

I recommend working with an experienced broker who can shop multiple investors for you.