Do you know what his pain point is? 

You need to get to them while they're feeling their pain.

We share the passion but know of the pain which helps keep some reality checks in the mix.  

Option 1 is best if you are not a savvy investor going thru the pains of building and selling retail.

Sure, you can acquire it with creative financing like land contracts, seller carry backs, sandwich lease options, credit cards, signature lines, HELOC on primary residence, etc but you'll be so overleveraged with so little reserves that the slightest hiccup could put you in a very bad and painful place.

I can't help but feel your pain.

My guess is that the landlord did not just drive by and decide to push the envelope but rather he had the other suite mates call and complain that it had been a pain to live in house with a shared living room, kitchen and bathroom with a newborn baby the last couple months.

Unregistered syndicators get nailed all the time and regardless of intensions, it can be painful.

I thought about it but seems like a real pain and would not really like to.

Migrating to it might be a pain but I don't think it'll be a big deal.