I primarily invest in SFHs but an opportunity has come up to purchase a commercial property with rental units and the owner wants me to come up with a price...The property has three retail/business spaces and 7 apartment units.

This is regarding a small retail property I own, it is a three store building.

I'll run the numbers as a retail flip using low- to mid-level finishes. 

But if that buyer is a retail buyer, then it gets a little hairy. 

However, it means i have to pay the retail price. is it a bad or good idea to purchase a cheaper house this way?

They aren't an "every-person" service for the retail buyer or seller.In the example that I gave, the problem was actually discovered by the settlement company as I was driving to settlement.

An example would be a retail store that sells hats, they source hats, buy hats, maybe brand those hats, and sell them for a profit.

Hi Odie, I am an asset manager for a retail portfolio in the tristate area. 

From socal.....With Retail Properties being impacted by Covid, do you think its a good time to start investing on these rental properties?

@Curt Davis Can confirm...in the KY market and anything even somewhat reasonable is moving very quickly right now...decent investor properties are going rapidly and even the retail market is ripping for well priced, good homes as well.