Not sure where you are located, but depending on where your are, you should determine if it is in a flood plain, if its endangered species habitat, is the land protected with a deed restriction for anything-eg. conservation area, it is classified as a wetland, were hazardous materials released or stored there in the past, was it a gas station or have any underground storage tanks, what easements are there, electrical, water, access, etc., what are the lot setbacks, what is the soil, does the lot receive drainage? 

I'm open to creative ideas, and partnering with someone local, so if you have any ideas (parking, cell tower, storage, etc...)

There are also different considerations that normal designers don't need to consider which an STR-specific designer will know all about (supply back up storage, charging stations, "instagram worthy" spaces, etc). 

In my case, I have residential rentals in one LLC, commercial properties in another, self storage in a third, and my real estate company operates in a fourth.

Hey everyone,   I haven't done any commercial deals before but have always been interested in self-storage units.

Something to also consider is making a self-storage facility out of shipping containers.

In my case, I have residential rentals in one LLC, commercial properties in another, self storage in a third, and my real estate company operates in a fourth.

Hi James,My idea is that for the time, energy and risk of investing outside of your local area, that many investors looking for stronger growth markets, different asset classes (maybe MF, storage or manufactured home properties), you may consider partnering with experts that already know these areas better than you, have the relationships built and can stay on top of these investments. 

I've had apartments, but never MHP.Zoning is no problem, but does anyone know of professionals who would do a "feasibility study" like we do in self storage to gauge the strength of the market?

Self storage auction processes are specific to each state.