I'm looking to put a system on my multi-tenant retail building.

Most real estate investors hope to have massive amounts of debt (to purchase properties).

The property is about a 3 min drive to the main road and 6-7 mins to the first group of retail stores (grocery, etc.). 

I'm not well versed in retail bank loans.

She isn't going to want 5+ years of payments, but I do know that she is open to creative ideas, as her place will be hard to sell on the retail market and since it's unlisted we don't have a lot of investor competition.  

If your costs are low and you aren't going into massive debt than I would say finish it, but explore your options(any amount of debt really hurts your chances of getting a home loan and student debt isn't backupable!) 

Housing communities and associated retails are going up everywhere.  

If you send the address I can help you get a better feel for what kind of price you can get on the retail market.

I'm in the retail industry and have been sold for the past 10 years  I just was recently married and have 3 children .

I view technology as this massive cycle that repeats itself at a high level.