NOT retail, foodie or hospitality).Other than that make sure you have good lease and follow the rules for any time they step outside the lease.  

An appraisal sets the current retail value.It is my opinion just because others may be willing to pay over retail does not mean the smart investor should pay over retail.My recent refinance quotes (small multiplexes, not SFR) has a slightly significant rate hit for going from 75% LTV to 80% LTV. 

But you can fairly easily meet the 1% rule of getting 1% of the retail price as monthly rent.If your son is attending the Homewood campus of Johns Hopkins, he is very close to Remington and Hampden which are hot areas (and overpriced, in my opinion).

I am in the data industry myself (currently working for a retail analytics software company).

I have a mixed-use property (2 retail + 2 apartments) in NJ (appraised recently at 450k). 

Even if buying at retail prices.

If no one bids, the bank takes the property back and puts it on the market, at retail value.

Usually, flips are best sold to a retail buyer who pays top dollar.

He backed out, and glad that he did.But the realtor he was going through and when he went to check the property he did not hear or see anything.But as you can see, while there are many good folks, there are some shady people out there as well, and in case of turnkey, you need to learn yourselves what to look out for and also be able to do some basic analysis yourself.So easy option is not necessarily the best one, but you need to start getting your hands dirty to learn, so do not engage in anything where you feel you have to buy, if the deal meets your requirements and you feel comfortable go for it, but dont go in to buy only, but also be open to walking out and learning at the same time.I try not to talk to folks in RE unless I have done some research on my own, as the commission system makes folks more inclined to make the deals for you, so you need to be prepared and do your own due dilligence.Roofstock is a good way to see what retail turnkey options looks like, I am not saying you should buy through them, but they have a good way to look at turnkey properties, especially if you think out of state is an option for you.For the first property though, it might be better to go local, but that is just what works for me.

Also, hurricanes seem to whack it every 5 minutes.California - REI blogs and forums seem to strongly disfavor this, presumably because of the high property purchase price and already-high presence of retail hotel/motel chains, and competition keeps avg daily prices modest...