He ended up taking my underwriting/origination escrowed money and strung me along for six months, frustrating me, the realtor, the seller, and making my negotiation potential crumble.

Keep in mind, though, that each lender has their own criteria for how much future potential they’ll factor in, so it might come down to some skillful negotiation and presenting detailed projections that don’t feel like puffery.Just be careful not to come off as overly speculative…lenders tendd to shy away from what sounds too good to be true.Anyway, I’m curious.. have you spotted any other investors in Gainesville facing a similar refinance puzzle and what kind of terms were they able to secure? 

There would potentially be some weight issues with the 2nd+ floors of some shopping malls, depending on what the potential tenant wants to store in the upstairs unit. 

When I'm looking at potential opportunity, price isn't that big of a factor.

If all three units are on long-term leases that don't expire soon, you'll likely exclude many potential buyers. 

That being said, if it provides me a significant advantage or a starting point, I think it would be foolish not to utilize it.Therefore, given these two different perspectives/starting points, I'd love to hear any potential advice on which strategies/niches to focus on first, and for which starting point.

The potential problems mentioned by the responding posters in this thread are real and well thought out.  

Sufficient infrastructure: Companies select locations with major airports, highways, and a large population of potential workers.

Joining investor meetups in your area can also help you build relationships with experienced investors who may offer mentorship or even potential partnerships.Finally, don’t underestimate the power of letting people know your plans.

My vision is to bring together motivated people to support one another and potentially form an LLC for group projects as we grow.If this is something you might be interested in, I’d love to chat more and see how we can help each other on our journeys.