I flew there and offered to help find the seller a rental, pay for moving/storage and 6 months rent upfront.

First, I'd seriously look into syndications and solid sponsors that have a good track record in the following 3 areas (value add apartments; self storage and mobile home parks).  

Are your concerns on the Storage business itself or doing a Franchise.

Safety hazard.7.4.C loose wire ends need to be in box in storage room8.0 foundation- water intrusion visible signs in crawl space. 8.2- undersized wood beams- need reinforcement10.1.a drywall on wall shows wet stains indicating moisture unit 310.2.A unit 3 living room floors are sloped and sagging.10.4.B sliding door unit 2 10.0.C Drywall on ceiling water stain unit 1 over washer/dryer10.1.C drywall on wall peeling paint at utility closets10.6.C electrical issues10.1.D framing wall leak10.3.D back stairs need to be redone for roper stability11.6.A unit 3 exhaust fan not work11.3.B unit 2 bathtub resurfacing needed11.3.C improper materials used at the unit 1 hot water supply11.5.C defective GFCI outlet unit 16.4.A new sump pump + battery

A 100-unit building has a fairly sophisticated how water heating system with a boiler (now a water heater) and probably a 200-gallon storage tank and one or two pumps.

They are business partners and own SFR, Apartments and storage. 

If it's your personal home, you better be ready to move your belongings somewhere, like a storage unit.Some lender foreclose very quickly, and some let a couple of payments go past due.If they yellow tape the entrance as "no go" and your stuff is inside--ouch.Good Luck!

So consider this if you want to use the existing building for storage or a construction staging area.Don’t rush to demolish it thinking you will be saving tax dollars until you verify that with the local assessor.Timing for new construction fully completed by assessment day -Likewise, as you are building the new structure, the local assessor will estimate value for assessment purposes each assessment date.

Although, you could remove the attic ladder altogether and disallow storage in the attic.

No "dead" storage.