Does being an MLO qualify a person to be a "Real Estate Professional" in the eyes of the IRS. 

I could see how this could grow the BP brand to new eyes too.Just a thought perhaps.

This may sound goofy and perhaps too simple, but one hack I've found for checking out properties in Phoenix is to pull up the address on Google maps and then look at the satellite photos.

Please feel free to review details below and shoot me a message if central NJ is your primary market.https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/219-W-Summit-St-Somerville-NJ-08876/39914137_zpid/ After running general numbers (not 100% accurate due to lack of experience) through the calculator, my eyes were opened by a -5.83% CoC ROI.

I also look at renter vs owner ratios in neighborhoods with an eye toward investing in neighborhoods with higher OWNER ratios.  

This opened my eyes to so many new things.

I hope that it works out.And this is why you have another set of eyes look over your numbers..

Best bet would be to talk to some local commercial real estate brokers that specialize in retail and office leasing.They will be the ones in the know.That being said I like urgent care, medical, dental, eye dr, chiropractor etc they always make good long term retail/office flex tenants.

I've had my eyes set on a few neighborhoods in Southeast (across the river) as that seems to be where the path of gentrification is headed.

I had my eye on a forclosed home that was bank owned (not sure what bank) but anyways I kept a eye on it for a few months while I was preparing everything to get pre approved and have a easy hassle free loan process.