Would it be better to build storage units or go the Home Depot route and buy some?

So first, Ken, man, I appreciate your kind words and I see where you re coming from, but boy, I can not disagree more man.I see you own a social media marketing company and maybe that is why you're insisting on that route, but I will just say this.The numbers do not lie.And this is at the low season smack in the middle of winter!

I just don't want to go the direct mail route personally. 

Using an LLC and utilizing non-recourse lending are the best route. 

And also, if you can go the local route, I have a few neighborhoods I want to invest in, so I walk and drive those neighborhoods regularly and watch for ones with papers stacked up and that look vacant, and I will look up the PIN and tax on them to see if they are late or missed. 

As time goes by you will learn with route is more efficient

I was interested in the nuances that convinced the owner to go the seller financing route.

I declined to go that route(too much $$) but instead found a great REI realtor.

@John Sonmez I think I have to agree with @Justin Frank if you want less headache and stress, you could go the storage unit route.

Obviously, I want to build a relationship first, but if you were the seller, what terms or structure of seller financing would convince you to go that "riskier" route as opposed to taking the cash from a bank financed deal?