I live near a street where many strip centers have been renovated recently and some that have sat empty for years are finally filling up.  

Are you aware there are smooth talkers here that might be popular but don't really have a clue and write bad prescriptions?

The people you need on Wall Street to go the NYSE or even NASDAQ route wont touch you without a substantial track record and a lot of money involved.

:) Much less the streets set up for safe drag racing.

Other requirements could include side walks, storm water control, street trees, street lights, and running all utilities to the lots, including electric, gas, phone, cable plus water and sewer.There could be current zoning requirements that require larger lots than those platted maybe 50-60 years ago. 

@Elizabeth, I will definitely check out your blog as it is right down my street (excuse the pun :-)).

Nice street in a mixed area.

Brand new roof.A  very comparable home of same type and sqft on the same street just sold for 105k yesterday.I am thinking to start at 100k and then subtract all repair costs that I find, but this is just a guesstimate without seeing the inside first. 

Many residents, who originally chose their neighborhoods for the mix of single family homes, quiet streets and parking availability, are finding that recent developments are negatively impacting the quality of their communities.Source(s):Reviving the City of Aspiration – Center for Urban Future (http://nycfuture.org/images_pdfs/pdfs/CityOfAspiration.pdf)City to Middle Class: Just Not That Into You (http://observer.com/2009/02/city-to-middle-class-just-not-that-into-you/)

It's not a popular type of ownership except in NYC where 70% of the housing is co-ops.