Downstairs has high ceilings throughout, a beautiful staircase, original 5 panel doors, french doors, an extra large kitchen, dining room, family room, bedroom, full bath, indoor laundry and tons of storage.

@Michael Wagner @Kris BensonI know it would've been a long response, I just wanted to break down self storage into those categories so if anyone knew about one specific part, that would help me out. 

Or would our better option be renting it out as a storage space?  

Ive got to sink 5k into the site to get the back usable by my business and fence in 6k square feet for vehicle and equipt storage. 

There are plenty of split use properties (like the family farm or a self storage building behind a home, or a basement rental, or even a Bed and Breakfast with live in hosts where the rental is not on a separate deed or even in a separate building.  

Last week, I was informed the house was broken in with furnace& hot water tank stolen!

Its a challenge to find a good tenant, especially in the winter.As Victor said... make repairs that prevent additional damage to the property or are essential to safety... leaky roof, broken windows, storm windows, furnace filters, smoke alarm batteries, furnaces & hot water tanks well beyond their useful life, repair holes in foundation or walls to prevent easy critter egress, repair gas leaks, repair dripping faucets, etc.Bob Collett, PM

We keep a locked storage room in the basement.

Does anyone have an insight on how to start a self storage boat/rv storage?

SFH, multi, storage it does not matter, what matters is getting a coherent system and understanding how value is created.