College can be a hinderance to your financial well being if done poorly.In regards to REI the people that I know personally that have done the best REI are highly trained professionals such as the ones I mentioned above.

Well one of my friends ran a well know detective agency and said he would loan me a small locater device he had just bought several of and it so happened that several stoves and dishwashers were swiped the Saturday night after they were delivered to the site.Who was swiping them, the warehouse foreman and the delivery driver. who then sold them as bargains on a excess inventory story to unsuspecting buyers who were happy to have just happened to run into a short time bargain by a reputable company, or in some cases at full price to a buyer whose real paperwork was canceled or lost but the product delivered.

Of course they could sell their assets for more if they hired diligent and hungry agents but they're riding a gravy train of other people's money so who cares.

My train of thought right now would be to take out a VA loan with no money down and live in one of the units until I move away.  

I have yet to have a smooth closing with them, but they've never failed on delivering the property.

If you want general commercial training courses look at CCIM.

Find an agency that is recognized in your area, offers training, and is willing to work with you to teach you the ropes.

The promise of what they deliver sounds great, but I don't actually find that their site has a lot of information, nor does it offer any real resources other than links to register.  

If there is a new source of energy, they will be the first to jump on the train.

Landlords usually deliver restaurant space in shell condition or as-is for second generation space.