A quick call with a local attorney can set the record straight and help you navigate this without drama.

Are you considering expanding locally or branching out to other areas?

Attend local real estate investor (REI) meetings and get to know people.

Go to small local/regional banks NOT national ones.

Going to start by checking into local REÍ meetups and talking to some friends and family that are doing what I’d like to.

@Luke Spencer I am not on the management side but I can tell you it took 2+ years to fill 300 units at one of our facilities and the other just hit 300 units in 12/13 months so it really depends on the demographics, and local housing market trend, the more people moving in and out the higher the demand for storage.I think if you're looking at a saturated market then the upfront cash to turn the warehouse into self storage is not a good idea but then again, maybe those operators are on back roads ( low visibility ) and don't push google ads well.

If you have a local appliance store near the rental, go there and talk to them. 

We’re not used to seeing emergency declarations as frequently as they do in Florida.Our borrower is a local rehabber with a property scheduled to be funded today and close tomorrow.

I can not name any reasons which are worth the extra effort of investing there compared to sticking to a specific USA market.

Regards,Colby  Hello @Colby Burns I'm a local Realtor (Fort Worth).