I am a real estate broker, and homes that I have sold to investors have large down payments or cash.

If a deal crumbles and you lose money it won't be because of the financing, given you're dealing with a reputable broker or lender who has closed 100s of deals. 

As a broker or principal lender you have the same conflicts of interest.

You will need a great set of contractors, a good realtor who understands investments and a really investment friendly mortgage broker.

Better ask your broker, your MLS, and your association. 

Or just work with a mortgage broker in the area 

Bruce not sure if any of the brokers in your market do this :   they buy a box van  and put their signage on it.. and say this is a free moving van for my clients..

Any Mortgage Broker can help with this.

Now, I am buying about 2-3 deals every month and brokering about 12 to 15 here in Columbus. 

I'm looking for people who have actually done it or are brokers that specialize in self-storage and are familiar with the markets who could give me some tips on what to look out for and how to work towards buying them.