@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.

Florida’s a great market, so if you need tips or guidance, let me know—I’m happy to send you an example of the report I created and the article I wrote about this.  

Purchase price: $160,000 Cash invested: $35,000 Purchased this property as a turnkey investment at the 1% rule moving equity from another deal.

You also mentioned you started pretty young, I am 18 and just purchased my first college rental, any tips? 

You should track your own units expenses as well so when you move out, you can quickly reclaim any expenses or depreciation you built on the personal unit when converted into a 2nd business unit which would then be included on your schedule E.You also write off half of your property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, or any shared expense.

Now IF you have all those bases covered, my tips are: Take GREAT pictures and for the love of all that is holly please no close ups, wide angel pics.

When are you moving?

If you ask the manager to justify a fee and he starts hemming and hawing, move on or require them to remove the fee.

Them physically moving out doesn't end the lease.

Most common is moving 100 miles away from the departing residence **for work**.