I haven't read any books or even online blogs.

I would recommend listening to the BiggerPockets podcast, reading the guides and blogs, or even checking out some of the books they offer there.  

Assuming an average 8% CoC return and factoring in none of the backend, if I invested a total of $5MM into several syndications (assuming some of the windfall went to taxes), we would yield $400,000 annually.Depending on your current and future desired lifestyle you could continue to live modestly, and reinvest a large portion of the dividends earned. 

Again, the BiggerPockets store has some books for this or you can learn by watching podcasts, reading blogs, and interacting on the forum.

Once you feel you've built a strong team with your first property and have solid systems in place, I would then start buying more aggressively and taking on bigger projects.I suggest reading this BP article on the core 4.https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/core-four-real-estate-team

@Marcus GomesReal estate investing can be a rewarding career for those with modest incomes.

I frustratingly see so many deal offers, particularly in Multi-Family space, where GP/sponsor is putting nothing or next to nothing into the equity portion and is collecting 2-3% acquisition fee/ 0.5-1% loan origination fee/ 1.5% yearly asset management fee/ 1-2% disposition fee and then 50/50 splits to 60/40 splits over fairly modest hurdle rates of like 14-15%, and it seems this latter structure incentivizes GP to take more risks particularly with debt options.

Never try to write or blog while your kids are screaming & running into walls behind you.

two different flavors.https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing/house-ha...https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/live-in-flip

With that, (and regarding your Question #2) I think your expense line items and numbers will run very similar to what can be found in this BP blog: https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/3915/27972-analyzing-the-financials-of-a-self-storage-facilityYou'll have larger units, which typically means longer length of stay and lower turnover so your management/payroll expense could be lower.