If you have a shorter timeline - you're older, or started late, or want to quit your job in 5 years before you hit 30 - then you will need to be more aggressive at acquiring, holding, and exiting at the right time. 

I have a property manager actually do the showings, but any issues like plumber , electrical is a phone call away.The only challenge is it's a commercial loan, which requires more down, higher rates and shorter terms. 

For shorter stays you are going to get alot of in between people with work history that is less than 2 years or new to a job.

I'm leaning toward shorter terms, like 6 - 12 months.

We're also able to evaluate our rates, and keep pace with inflation, on a monthly and quarterly basis because of shorter term leases.Now we syndicate larger self-storage deals and work with passive investors.

The learning curve is much shorter this way. 

The shorter the prepayment term has an impact on increasing the rate.4.

Biggest downside is that they have a prepayment penalty, so that's something you'll want to consider if you think you might want to refinance in the next couple of years. 3-5 year penalties are common, but you can choose to buy it down to a shorter period of time if you'd like.

If you're going to sell it in 5-10 years then this becomes an appealing strategy because of the additional principal balance you will have paid down during that shorter time period.

In this instance, I would be looking back at a much shorter time frame to project my reversion rate.