I would have to differ with @Mark Bookhagen because I think the annuity is a bad idea especially in this low interest rate environment.

If you plan on holding on to the properties, it doesn't make too much sense, in this environment, to convert to conventional financing and get a second FHA loan. 

You can do your own research on these types of funds, but they tend to do well in rising interest rate environments.

I think where I"m at is a relatively good environment for investing.

The Maryland Department of the Environment regulates buried fuel tanks, Connecticut may have a similar government agency.  

We do a market report, talk about our leads, deals, etc. in a very safe and helpful environment.  

I realized that they had been operating in this environment far longer than i had and the only variable that had change, was..me.

Does anyone have any thoughts on how storage units may perform in a recession or just in the current environment?

In this environment the person buying the product will likely need financing and it's difficult to predict what they're going to really be willing to pay down the road.....and how many buyers there will actually be as rates go up (which would effect the hold time and concessions offered).

Building new homes may be viable, but you would need a new licence and the regulatory environment is brutal.