SELF-STORAGE INVESTING FOR THE SMALL INVESTOR
Creating Wealth Through Self Storage
Mark Helm bought his first self-storage facility in 2000. Here he shares the system he uses to find, analyze, build and buy facilities, so smaller investors can compete with the big buyers.
CCIM designee · 10-time #1 international bestselling author · Podcast host
2000
First self-storage purchase
CCIM
Top designation in commercial real estate
#1
International bestselling author
500+
Free articles and episodes
MEET MARK
Hi, I’m Mark Helm.
I’m a commercial real estate agent who began specializing in self-storage in the mid-1990s. By 2000, I had purchased my first self-storage project, and since then I’ve had many ups and downs in real estate and self-storage specifically.
I’ve made almost every mistake that can be made, yet through the mistakes I have developed a system of analyzing and acquiring self-storage with a proven track record. My goal is to share what I know and level the playing field between big buyers and small buyers like us.
WHERE TO START
Pick the path that fits where you are
NEW TO SELF-STORAGE?
Free 3-Part Video Series
Start here. Sign up for Mark’s free three-part video training.
READY TO GO DEEPER?
QuickStart Academy Courses
Online courses on buying your first facility, building your first facility and raising money from investors.
ANALYZING A DEAL?
Storage World Analyzer
The software Mark built to project cash flows and estimate what a facility could be worth, using your own assumptions.
WANT MARK IN YOUR CORNER?
Mark’s Inner Circle
Bring your deal to Mark. A free 30-minute call is the first step into his weekly group of investors and operators.
Prefer to read? See Mark’s books. Looking for the vendors and tools Mark uses? See his resources page.
FROM THE BLOG
Latest from Mark
New articles, podcast episodes and free coaching videos on buying, building and running self-storage.
Our Proformas Are Living in the Past – It Is Time To Change That
The self-storage industry is evolving fast, and one of the biggest challenges we...
Three Ways a Smaller Operator Can Win the Customer Game Against REITs
I will admit that a few years ago I was scared of competing in a market against...
What the 2026 StorageCafe Survey Is Telling Us
One of the advantages of being a smaller self-storage operator is that — unlike the...
THE SOFTWARE
Storage World Analyzer
The most powerful tool out there for smaller investors to analyze self-storage projects. Use it to project how a property could perform and test what it might be worth under your own assumptions.
Construction
Estimate every part of your construction cost, from materials and concrete to HVAC, across dozens of categories.
Debt Service
See how your financing strategy affects the overall profitability of your project.
Lease-up
Project cash flows based on monthly lease-up percentages.
Operating Expenses
Predict and account for advertising, personnel, maintenance and more.
MARK’S INNER CIRCLE
Get your questions answered by Mark, every week.
Live calls every Friday at 12 PM ET, years of replays, a resource library and a group of people doing the same work you are. Start with a free 30-minute call to see if it’s a fit.
Every Friday · 90-minute live calls · $300/month, cancel any time
READER REVIEWS
What readers say about the book
“
Mark Helm is the go-to man for all things self-storage. He has taken a complex subject and explains it in a way that is simple, authentic and comprehensive.
READER REVIEW
“
Most people want to keep their money-making formula tightly guarded, but Mark shares freely and generously the secret to his success. It was a fast and easy read but contains a treasure chest of analytical data and tools.
READER REVIEW
Start with the free 3-part video series
It’s free, and it’s the quickest way to see how Mark finds, analyzes and buys self-storage.
CONTACT
Get in touch
Questions about a deal, the Analyzer or the courses? Send Mark a note using the form, or email Mark@HelmProperties.com.