I gather the markets here, how far one is willing to (or equipped to) extend themselves geographically plays a big part in all this.

I've spent my adult career in the Air Force (11 years, medical equipment repair) and then transferred into financial services (5 years, Risk Management / Program Management / Data Analysis). 

They will be best equipped to deal with this, and advise you of what and what not to do.Good luck - sounds like the slip and fall scam starting up!

My application is almost identical to the one found in Mike Butler's book "Landlording on Autopilot". 

Hammer Strength, or off branded equipment, or no equipment and just cold hard Lifting Iron (???)

Had you said aluminum wiring of identical diameter as copper could not handle the same power as the copper, then that certainly is a fact; but without qualifying it to the same diameter wire, then that is not quite right because one would just get thicker aluminum (back when it was in use) to handle the same load  The interfacing with copper is quite significant when you look at the DIY types who aren't aware of this.

Some of which we managed in the past have been: theatre company storage, short-term or overflow storage of moving company, restaurant tables and equipment during site rehab, trade show storage, and construction material storage for project staging.

As far as your other questions, just replace "real estate agent" with "your lawyer" and the rest of the process is identical to a typical transaction.

I just didn't feel equipped enough to go through with executing a transaction.

Luckily your units are on the smaller size for this type of contractor and the rent is not something they can't carry, if the choice is to get rid of their equipment or have no where to store it.