I don't want to waste their time right now cause I want to learn for a few months before diving in.

Dave, The first thing you need to determine is what caused the leak to start. 

I do feel that rents are topping off for the short term, which is the main cause of my apprehension to buying retail today.  

Four months after closing on a nicely renovated fourplex, a tenant parked their vehicle next to the rear steps on a day with 65 mph winds and a divider made of concrete blocks fell onto the tenant's windshield, hood, and roof causing at least $2500 in damages on a recently purchased used car.  

Landlord/Agent may enter the dwelling unit after providing due notice to the Tenant (24 hours) when the Landlord is required to allow access to the Department of Housing and Community Affairs for an inspection; or when the Landlord has good cause to believe that the Tenant may have damaged the dwelling unit or may be in violation of County, State, or Federal law.

I am now being told by the property manager I will need to put a new roof on the home and something will need to be done about the leaky basement that is causing mold.

The mood people are in can have implications on the worldwide investment market.Growing asset bubbles can cause excitement leading to an emotional high that will make people take higher investment risks against their better judgement.In the study participants watched an exciting, calm, or scary movie clip before a trading game.

Real estate's unpredictable nature causes investors to inquire about whether investment properties are a good fit.

Don't worry - its for a great cause!

Today's market in some states/cities has over demand and under supply so the cap rates compress (more people bidding for every deal pushes the prices higher).If interest rates go up eventually the cost of money will be too expensive to continue and over bid and there will be a lot less people bidding on properties thus, less demand which in turn will cause the prices to go down.In markets where the demand does not exceeds supply the impact will be much less noticeable.