1. Correct. Some strains ripen from the top down...some from the bottom up...some at the same time. You have to play the averages.

2. I dont use a fan. I simply hang for 3 days...then I take off the fans...wait 2 days, then I take off the excess leaves and trimmings. I paper bag / box them for another week, letting them air out a few times a day, blowing into the bag to clear out the plant toxic fumes and hay smell. Then I jar them and fresh air them out every other day for about an hour. After about 10 days, they are dry and then I let them simmer for a month...opening every few days for a bit.

As for your storage, heat and light are the two main degraders of THC.