There's Office, Medical Office, Industrial, Retail, Multi Unit Residential, etc.

The tenant actually said she didn't have a problem affording the unit; she has a problem with picking up her paycheck on time and being dependent on the money her daughter makes part-time at a retail job.

., it's about retail or a little higher

Then there is Franklin Park and Villa Park, which is desirable, but with a lot of owner occupied and retail buyers driving up prices for investors.  

Spending months and months negotiating short sale and junior liens and dealing with the water department isn't worth it.

The one point I'd want to make is that the price you quoted to upgrade an electrical panel is closer to retail pricing, and an investor who find a good electrician who is accustomed to working with investors should be able to get it done in your area for about half that price.

While I still have activity in the life-safety business, I am also very involved in leasing and sales of commercial (mostly retail) properties.My chief aim in this next leg of my career is to acquire, through deal-making and hard work, ownership in income-producing commercial properties.

Are they desirable for retail buyers, or more suited to just rental properties?

There are tired landlords that want out that will sell at a discount and new guys getting in that will pay retail and you can have the difference for putting them together.

There are ways for people to buy homes under $50K, but they are not as cut and dry as a regular retail buyer above $50K.