Also, I was all prepared to go door knocking one day, and then read something online about not door knocking to preforelcosures just because of the sensitive situation that it is...so I'm not sure wether or not to go ahead with door knocking...or just send out way more letters and stick to that?!

Real estate is sensitive to location and time.

As I read thru the forums, I certainly see/understand the validity behind proper checks/screening when searching for tenants.My question is, what tools/resources, is everyone using with their potential tenants, to help safeguard your investments?

These are time sensitive and there isn't room for me to hold your hand ESPECIALLY IF YOU AINT GOT CASH.  

Run some sensitivity analysis to make sure you can still at least break even if rents drop or if CAP rates increase significantly.

@Khurram MirzaYour underwriting model is the best way to let you sensitize the capital stack mix for the most optimized returns.

Estimates are that one-third of storage space is filled with items that have been there for over three years.3.Rent Growth and Positive Net Operating Income In-place self-storage tenants are generally not price sensitive, as the self-storage rental fee is normally a small portion of a tenant’s monthly disposable income.

Exit cap rate sensitivity?

Whatever terms you end up getting, you just need to do your projections with a sensitivity analysis to increasing interest rates and be sure that you'll be able to refinance or sell at the end of the term.

If the information contained in the documents is sensitive, the files are secure, but you may be best to add an encryption program on both ends to fully secure them to your level of comfort.