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 know exactly what to pay for a facility.
PREFER TO READ?
Mark’s Books
Creating Wealth Through Self Storage and The Creative Method of Wealth Generation.
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.
What the 2026 StorageCafe Survey Is Telling Us
One of the advantages of being a smaller self-storage operator is that — unlike the REITs and larger players who focus on their investors and...
The Storage Business I Knew Is Gone—Here’s What’s Coming Next
So as I look into the future as part of what I regularly do as a business owner, I am realizing the self-storage business of before will most likely...
Why I am Not A Fan Of Storage Funds
Ok…for the first time in my storage career, I am in an adversarial relationship with some sellers on a project we have under contract. This is not...
THE SOFTWARE
Storage World Analyzer
The most powerful tool out there for smaller investors to analyze self-storage projects. If you want to know how well a property is going to perform and exactly what to pay for it, you need this tool.
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.
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.