We have 3 companies bid every property annually and we add the cost of consumables to cleaning cost and that is what the guest pays.Airbnb will convince you to charge $100, flex cancellation policy, instant book, and no cleaning fee if you let them. 

You might feel like the effort doesn't justify the cost, but she was involved on the initial showing and that's what demonstrates the agency between you two. 

Depressed area but in DIRE need of low cost housing AND also self storage...

If you have any advice or have taken a similar path, feel free to reach out!

Most likely, this will be deductible as "start-up costs" once you actually start your business.

That any getting money for free

You could invest out of state, which would open up different risks and costs (trusting your PM, additional travel costs to see your property(s) periodically, likely less personal market knowledge).  

However, you could do a mix of both, for example you could create paid advertising to promote specials/rates, partner with a local restaurant to have some type of a collaboration that includes a free drink with a stay, or you could switch to longer rentals.

Then you ask, "Why would I hop on a forum and spend my free time answering your question if it wasn't to help?"

Or do you base terms on down and their credit application?