Less capital intensive and you can get your feet wet.

One of the most important things for you to know is that REI is very capital intensive.

LTC/LTV also lower which combined with depository relationship makes borrowing even more capital intensive.

What a great portoflio --- sounds like taking one of them and adjusting the calendar should be enough of a test.

I’m not looking to make real estate my full time job or anything that intense, but more tools to get me to financial independence sooner are always welcome, and this is something I think I could be good at. 

hence, your strategy is good for you but doesn't make sense in an economic stress test to a lender.

Since your place is already furnished you can test this out pretty easily by changing the minimum stay to 30 days.

Real estate is capital intensive. 

Keeping it as one big space may set it apart from standard storage units, but you could also test demand with dividers for varied price points.

Percolation test.