The basement is going to be cleaned up, but not finished entirely, mainly used for storage.

I do have to thank that silly Than Merrill radio commercial that caught my attention when I needed it most (wife was freshly preggers and our finances were in the crapper) to getting me motivated enough to show up and learn enough to go out and start "crushing it."

You make a seller believe their property is sold with a bogus contract and they may well carry on like they are selling, that means moving things out, getting storage, contracting on another home, travel expenses, the list of activities goes on as to what a prudent seller may do and the costs they incur. 

The tenant left feces on the freshly painted walls and the new carpet, left a huge trash bag full of rotting food in the house, with maggots all over it. 

I say paint all the walls fresh white paint.

I've heard ideas such as adding storage space, renting furnished apartments, raising rents by percentages annually, wholesaling cable/internet to tenants, etc.  

Commercial brokers specialize in asset class and deal size.For instance you mentioned locations already so ( example: self storage facility 100 doors or more at 5 million and higher minimum 7 cap,etc.)The more descriptive the better usually.

That's crazy, and puts you way ahead of the game.What I find so great about this data is that it’s typically incredibly fresh, and they even tell you how old it is before mailing it. 

When you are ready to retire for sure, then cash out for cash flow properties.Personally I'm starting to lean toward renting out RV storage.

I also plan to use him as my go-to "turn" contractor when a unit becomes vacant and needs fresh paint, updated flooring, etc.