I ask because I'm a little uncomfortable that the "expert" has no real skin in the game and if it went sideways they aren't out anything but time. 

So, I could walk upstairs and dig out all the links and contacts and web sites for the research I did on self storage and post it here for you.... but I just sat down, opened an adult beverage, I'm lazy, and besides searching Google for all this will be half of the fun.

I'm aware of using realtor sites like Zillow and Trulia to make comps, but wanted to see if there were any other ways. 

There’s many brutal experiences from true disgruntled owners and tenants described here and in other sites such as google and yelp that I read and that are in line with my experiences  -2 COMPANIES, SAME OWNERSTexas Turnkey Properties (texasturnkeyproperties.com) and Real Property Management Preferred (htownrpm.com) are 2 companies owned and operated by the couple Shawn and Joni Wolfswinkel.

The wealth of knowledge on this site is amazing.

Each city gives you different headaches, forcing you to shed money like crazy.Plan about $200k for site built, expect rent of around $2500/month, plus appreciation of about $400k, just estimate.For Hayward, doing a main house expansion (900 to 2000 sf) and an ADU (1000 sf) at the same time.

Looking for a RE attorney/title attorney, GC, and/or realtor that is willing to put some skin in the game and be active with me in searching for and closing deals.

Who and why is someone "potentially" letting you in with no skin in the game?

This is a fun game. 

I stumbled upon the BP youtube videos which led me to the site.