I'd probably just put down laminate and glue shoe molding along the edge to save time. 

(To thise offended by my characterization of some, I apologize as a few do wear shoes)

I was cold calling last night trying to find another storage facility to buy and came across a owner that has two car wash business that he is thinking of selling. 

That would be my first step if I were in your shoes.  

At the end of the day I purchased 5 houses, 3 more than my intended 2, I flipped 2, "wholetailed" one, converting 1 to a triplex with 3 storage units, and am looking into subdividing the last parcel into 3 parcels, selling 2 and then lease-optioning the house after remodel.

I suspect the installer didn't give the flooring room to expand under the shoe molding.

We had often talked about retirement strategies and land investments, and since her father rents out storage units we looked into that as well. 

If I were in your shoes, I would be thinking this guy is either a liar, or a crazy person.

Free rent is something that is standard in certain types of real estate deals, I am buying a self storage facility where the current owner is occupying 6 of the units.

These loans are typically above 2 million for retail, apartment buildings, office, industrial, hotels and self storage facilities.