Self managers in Gatlinburg right now should be doing ~50% cash on cash as a starting point. 

There are a few self-contained guides that you can access here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guidesAlerts can be really helpful too: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts

If you’re self managing that will help with returns as long as you feel good about handling the tenant class. 

I would've like to make my case of being grandfathered in for the simple fact that the previous owner (whom is close to 80 years of age and self managed as Owner Occupied for over 35 years) had tried in the past:  1st - To reduce taxes because it's listed as a 3 & 2 but then the tax site has it as 6+ and when the old man had them visit the buildings they seen 7 mailboxes that USPS installed( so he decided to stay shut and not pursue it) 2nd- The 2 family already had 3 gas meters and even a fire escape because the 3rd floor studio apartment only has access thru back door.The front building has 4 gas meters, 1st floor, 2nd floor, 3rd floor and one for the front Studio apartment (which is like a basement apartment) but its street level with main entrance off sidewalk. 

Are there any self storage investors on the forum that would like to connect?

It stands for Delaware Statutory Trust and is a trust/pass through entity in which a sponsor (think big real estate investment corporation) buys institutional property (apartments, self storage, commercial, medical office, etc) and then sells interest in the Trust/Property to investors. 

This is a great forum with very knowledgeable members that will help to guide you in the right direction.I really like the alerts feature that can quickly guide you to current topics that may be of interest: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsThere are a few self-contained guides that you can access here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides

Often smaller operators add things that should really be CapEx as an expense item to help their taxes.Make sure the items under expenses are true expenses and not to be capitalized.Is the owner self managing and paying themselves?

They usually pay better (depending on where they are) for that reason, but if your time is limited and you want to self-manage long-term is much more passive.2.

There are a few self-contained guides that you can access here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guidesAlerts can be really helpful too: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts