Better to ask first rather than spend a lot of money and find out later..... :-)

I have met plenty of people who want to own rental properties but, don't have the time or money.

Having said that, I haven't lost any money yet. 

You just have to show you have the money in your account. 3.

For example, software may run a report for an application, but it doesn't know how to actually evaluate the applicant and determine if they are a good fit for your rental.

If already purchased, you are entitled to your money back plus interest, but there is a 5 year deadline for that, and a 2-year deadline for getting the overbid back.ADOR just reporting what the county told them.

I'm looking for people who have actually done it or are brokers that specialize in self-storage and are familiar with the markets who could give me some tips on what to look out for and how to work towards buying them.

Then of course look up the actual laws as shown above versus just going off others' interpretation.

All of my properties in Pittsburgh have, so far, weirdly, cost money to purchase.  

This is actually true, and something most investors don't think about when they either purchase or use a SFH for co-living purposes.