@Michael Svoboda I think that the best flips are done in the areas with the most retail activity... mainly the suburbs.

Do I seek a discount on purchase price, or do I buy retail and raise rents?

There are many brokers out there that specialize in the different niches such as Retail, Office, Medical, Land, Industrial and Multifamily (which is our specialty).I'd say the most important factor in selecting a firm to join is who will be your mentor. 

If you can't effectively manage this from far away, it can easily be more than you anticipate due to contractor issues and the greater possibility of loss due to theft and vandalism (assuming that's what you mean by an undesirable area).

@Sthefany Lamoureux There is a strange semantic difference to be drawn between Commercial loans in general and financing for Commercial Property types like retail/industrial. 

Property Management reserves the right to reject any application due to any one or a combination ofthe following:• False, incomplete or insufficient application information;• Credit score 550 or less,• Credit showing delinquent accounts with collection balances due; foreclosures, bankruptcies, liens againstthe applicant for taxes or child support, judgments against the applicant for evictions or property damage;• Rental histories showing excessive late payment, NSF checks, property damage, lease violations;• Income shortages less than the required monthly amount;• Criminal histories showing felonies, misdemeanors, DWIs, DUIs, theft by check, domestic violenceHaving something like this will help you eliminate "gut feeling" criteria and ensure you are treating all to the same standards of qualification. 

They can cover all the tougher retailers later with truly interesting and interested prospects.

In theory a wholesaler is an individual or an entity that sells houses at wholesale rather than retail price. 

Great comments Jay.The banks generally banks like to see 50% pre-lease on commercial development projects like office and retail.

I'm a wholesaler and am willing to exchange retail leads for access because I fear waiting a few days for realtors to run comps on my behalf is making me lose out on deals.