Also idk what your business structure looks like but doing things right at the state level is a question for someone else.

I strictly buy single and multi family so anytime I go out of my comfort level I seek professional advice.

Generally those that are buying strip centers or larger multifamily putting down millions at a time and getting a loan want a very experienced broker helping them to buy.If you do not have vast experience in the field usually a newer agent goes and works as a junior agent at a commercial firm that specializes in a specific asset class like retail, multifamily, office, industrial,etc.To do it at a high level is very specialized training and not something to dabble in.

@Mark Gallagher  real estate at this level is ALL about sales and marketing.. you can outsource the direct mail and all of that.. but then as my dad always said  RE is belly to Belly.. you have got to be able to close.. and many simply can't its not in their skill set

It depends on your experience level.  I

The entire lower level is unfinished currently.

The ground level is a restaurant that we own/operate on a regular basis. 

I'd do some preliminary research on your options and then work on determining what your family's risk tolerance/debt tolerance level is and what type of investment appeals to you/fits your specific goals the best.

Residents with income below poverty level is 12.5% compared to 14.7% state avg.I also checked the school district.  

But even so I'm going to try to find sandbags locally and build a levee.