My 2 cents you setting yourself up for failure and screwing the seller because you have no intentions on closing the deal or know anyone who is going to.

Have you ever hired a lawyer to help structure complex transactions or seller financing (e.g., rent to own)?

@Jacob AbuataYou could also try marketing to apartment owners that could be motivated to sell (i.e. people that have owned the property for 30+ years, owners who have inherited the property, etc).

Also, what position is the seller in as far as need/want to sell? 

In instances of purchase of property, lease is executed subsequent to buyer entering into a rental lease agreement with inherited tenants.This agreement is preceded by review of due diligence documents provided by seller to buyer.Tenants acknowledges that Agent is entering into this Lease in reliance on the information contained in Tenant’s rental application and or all other information provided to Agent by Tenants or Tenant’s current landlord/property management team in the event of a property sale, all prior to this lease agreement.

I'm not saying that I don't appreciate some of the motivational content but at this point I'm already sold on RE investing and just want as much substance as possible.So, in a nutshell, for me and anyone else who stumbles across this post in the future: Knowing what you know now, what book would you start with and then what would be your next 2-3 steps after that?

Definitely offer seller financing, sub2 and lease options as additional scenarios. 

Is it possible to seller finance a commercial income property?

Sell or purchase with contingencies that require the buyer/seller to cooperate with your search for a suitable replacement or to wait for your sales before scheduling closing.   

This means spending your first minute to contact the seller side (i count this because for me my time is money) to earning your last dime.