Don't listen to a brokerage pitch, they are all generally the same - our marketing is excellent, we are the leader in the area, look at our website and partnerships - they all have that.Cloud brokerages, in general, are better for independent self-starters, but the con is you will be on Facebook Workplace trying to network and won't have an office to go to.

But the question is whether one can actually achieve the proforma cash flow on older properties with a less economically stable tenant base.Based on your picture, you appears fairly young.My advice is buy properties in quality locations think long term 10 to 15 years - slowly and safely build your portfolio - equity and cash flow will increase over time and in 10 to 15 years you may become financially free.People talk cash flow is king but one can NOT generate financial freedom cash flow with $250,000 or $500,000 invested (equity).Even at a 10% cash on cash return, one needs $1.2M invested to generate $120K a year $10K a month.You want property to be self supporting so it needs to cash flow but once that is reached the focus in my opinion should equity growth which increases net worth.

I'm looking at a potential self-storage deal which I could use some assistance with.

Provable Truth is a great defense.  

(there are some exceptions, but expectations don't make you money) So that leaves "individual landlords" who self-manage. 

If you are self employed you can also look at bank statement loans assuming you have a business with high deposits.

In my case, I have residential rentals in one LLC, commercial properties in another, self storage in a third, and my real estate company operates in a fourth.

We are in the Self storage and subdivision arena.So again.  

It makes me wonder if we have a self-fulfilling prophecy here. 

Nope.This is what I do and all I do and since I self manage I don't think there would be any question.