A retail flipper should be seeing 10-20% return on their money per deal.

Robyn Thompson's Retailing for Cash.

I am not sure who would be best to recommend you to but a retail Wells Fargo rep maybe a good start.

The 70% is what you use if you will personally be completing the repair/remodeling duties, then selling at retail value.

If you succeed you will like it and stay in for long term -- Some comments by Laura are good.I am engineer - and had four ( 4) rental homes --for over 18 years while still working full time --Consider as Busienss not just investment --this is not stock which you can buy and sell at any time --yes-some times confusing, frustrating and time consuming --My best suggestion is buy a single family home -- best time to buy now --bank foreclosures-- if you have a college or hospital near by -- buy a 3 or 4 bedroom house and rent to three --students or female nurses ( single) -- find local students or young kids to cut grass and have a lawn service to spray checmicals --get an older retiree for minor repairs and maintenance --and dont be greedy --keep tenants happy -- buy hosue --around $50,000 cash --which should be $80,000 to$100,000 current retail value - do some homework on pricing -Refinance the hosue after 12 months --get cash back and buy another -- if you buy one house every year or every two years and let tenants pay for mortgage --you ahev five hosues in tenyears and get paid in next ten years --you will have over $1 million net worth--all paid for Free and Clear Five hosues-- for retiring in 20 years or early --you do not need cash flow now --keep the job if you like the job -- good luck

If it was built in the 60's it might be sitting on a nice piece.Back then land wasn't at as much of premium so lower density was used more spread out.You might find the highest and best use for the land to be building a whole new structure with a much higher density.The building pattern for the area might have changed and retail might now be the best use for the land.You can always hold and have your parents buy out this guy and control a larger piece when the market recovers.

Has anybody ever approached a retail REIT company for the purpose of using their capital (as investment on their part)to acquire commercial, NNN properties?

Why would an investor wnt to pay full retail price for a home?

Meet with the owners and have your facts together on the value of the properties and the activity in the area.They know you are an investor from you letter, but let them know very early on that you do not pay retail and you are in the business of purchasing property at substantial discount.

Retail (homeowners that remodel once every 5-10 yrs) often require more time (thus cost) than a rehabber that has worked several projects with them.