There's also the cost involved in moving, storing, and then putting it all back the way it was when it started. 

She has no place to store her furniture. 

Maybe consider just getting quotes for labor and you can buy items second hand from online if need be. 

It depends on a lender I just closed in a building 4 doors which two of them is store fronts and it was considered as a commercial by the  lender.

The units are located in a strip mall w/a grocery store as the main tenant and smaller pads w/fast food restaurants & other local businesses. 

Trust is a big part of the process, and these online only lenders kind of make me leery. 

If I see that their current arrangement works for me I keep the same company, if not I find other local companies online and feel them out over the phone/website/emails and through reviews (google & biggerpockets are best friends). 

Which makes it even more twisted since in some places the landlord can be held liable if there is criminal activity associated with their property and they do not take proactive steps to prevent it.If the laws are as you describe, why isn't every bloody business owner with a retail location not "subject to arrest" for having audio/video surveillance in their stores? 

Listening to a relatively recent BP Podcast I recall hearing the interviewee talk about buying properties online via auction but that you have to be careful because some of them (Auction.com he called out specifically) will bid against you in house.

Most online education is very similar, both in format and content.