Multi-Tenant retail is one of the few remaining property types, where you can still find a higher yield.I am in CT and our firm just closed on a 4 tenant retail strip center 100% occupied with all National Tenants shadow anchored to THE major shopping area in a suburb of Chicago, at a 9.25% Cap Rate, resulting in a 10+% cash-on-cash return, to our investors.

When shopping for their next rental both I and the inlaws came along in order to provide an extra pair of eyes to spot any potential problems.

I live in LA too and had shopped through foreclosures in the OC and couldn't for the life of me figure out where there were profits to be had.

Screenshot of google maps/earth then pull it up in any photo editing software like photo shop to add the other elements you want

:NOTE: Important to keep the date of when these items were receivedFINANCIALS (get from Property Management Company or the Seller):Annual Operating Statements (for past 2 years)Monthly Operating StatementsYear to Date Operating StatementRent Roll for the last 2 yearsLast 3 month's Bank Deposits by the sellerBudget ForecastExisting Loan Documents ** ask if will take AssumptionSecurity Deposit Account StatementUtility DepositsRequest Schedule E if questionable financials, certified by accountant.OPERATING INFORMATION **** Must sort by importance:Management ContractCopy of all Lease Types (all leases delivered at closing)Concessionary RentsLease Expiration ReportUtility Bills (for Water, Sewer, Gas, Electric, CATV, Ethernet, Phone) - for past 2 yearsProperty Tax Bills - for past 2 yearsService Contracts (all currently under contract: trash, exterminating pests, maintenance, laundry, pool, elevator)Advertising ContractsPayroll Register (employment contracts)Operating Manuals (phone, computer, fire system, etc.)Insurance: Policy (premium disclosure)Insurance: Claim History (for past 3 years)Insurance: Carrier Risk AssessmentMiscellaneous Agreement (Vending, Pay Phone, etc)Capital Improvements and Maintenance History (for past 3 years)Incomplete Maintenance Requests (for last 3 month's maintenance requests)Yellow Pages Listing ContractCredit Bureau ContractPet PolicyCommission AgreementsRent.com reviewLEGAL AND PHYSICAL INFORMATION:THIRD PARTY INFORMATIONAppraisalDeedTitle PolicyLast Sale Price/DateTax Assessment: Land/BuildingSurvey (Get the original)Architectural PlanSite PlanInventory of Personal PropertyTools/Supplies InventoryBusiness LicenseZoning CertificationBuilding Code Compliance Letter ** Tell bad news fast to your investors; don't hold off on thisCertificate of Occupancy ** Tell bad news fast to your investors; don't hold off on thisRental Ordinances ** Tell bad news fast to your investors; don't hold off on thisLitigation History ** Tell bad news fast to your investors; don't hold off on thisTenant Estoppels (Optional at Closing) ** Tell bad news fast to your investors; don't hold off on thisBuilding PermitsMARKET INFORMATIONMarket Survey (3 - 5 nearest competitors)Existing Competitive Supply SurveysEnvironment Surveys - Phase I/Phase II, if necessaryEngineering ReportFire System Inspection ReportsElevator Maintenance Report (if applicable)Boiler Inspection ReportHVAC Inspection ReportLead Paint - Inspection reports / tenant waivers / historyMold - Inspection reports / tenant waivers / historyFuture Competitive Supply ForecastPictures - Aerial / GroundArea MapApartment AssociationApartment Guide ListingCopies fo All ADvertising, Brochures, Floor PlansDemographic Reports: Housing, Income, Employment (3 radii - 1 mile, 3 miles, 5 miles distance)Traffic Study and/or Road Improvement PlansNeighborhood Survey: Shopping, Schools, EmployersCrime Report

Most big banks are hard to get this kind of money from so its worth shopping around and calling all the local ones.

They want to be ableto go out to eat and shop than work on their home.

I have found nice ones used, on CG, used appliance shops and hit up bath/kitchen remodel contracts, there is nothing wrong with used in some lightly up dated kitchens of 10 year old home as it's probably newer than what would have been there, just saying, used can work.

I would also recommend shopping (do your due diligence) for a good contractor.

Shop for the right mortgage broker (not bank).