Branding Your Self Storage Company

Branding Your Self Storage Company

We hear a lot about company brands. Have you heard much about self storage company brands? Most likely not. You know the big ones, Public Storage, Extra Space, etc. But what is the real difference between them? Why would you choose one over the other if both are next...
The Dark Side of Touchless Move-Ins

The Dark Side of Touchless Move-Ins

I am very grateful that I have figured out how to make money in self storage. Who I am now is someone you could take everything from, drop-off in a strange place where I know no one, and I would be OK, prosper, and soon have all I could ever want. And I don’t think it...
Too Much Data, What Does It Mean?

Too Much Data, What Does It Mean?

I have said before about self storage, “Make data-driven decisions.”   I try to do that. But it’s getting hard. Real hard, in my opinion. In my humble opinion, there are two big issues with data today in the self storage industry. The first is how it is collected, and...
Self Storage Online Marketing

Self Storage Online Marketing

Let’s talk about online marketing for a self-storage facility. Let me start by saying I am not an “expert” in online marketing for self-storage facilities. But I have never worked with an “expert” that has generated any results period,...
I Want To Hear From You.

I Want To Hear From You.

This week it is hard for me to talk about self-storage and ignore what is going on in the country at the moment. So, let’s talk about it. I am not sure when you see this, but at the moment we are slowly coming out of quarantine from COVID-19 (still no vaccine), and...
Using Containers to Test Self Storage Demand

Using Containers to Test Self Storage Demand

I’ll admit it. I have never been a big fan of container self storage, or temporary storage. At best, I thought we could perhaps use it to plug up a few holes we may have in our facilities and maximize our income. When I first looked (a number of years ago I admit),...
Now Is the Time To Get In Self Storage

Now Is the Time To Get In Self Storage

I have said this in the past few weeks, and I am going to say it one more time. Now is the time to get off the sidelines and figure out how to get into self storage if this has been a goal for you. I am creating this episode right now primarily because of the training...
How Do I Know If A Market Is Overbuilt?

How Do I Know If A Market Is Overbuilt?

Whatever city you are in, no matter where you go, you see new self-storage being built. Even people who have nothing to do with the industry, when they hear you are involved with self-storage in some way, will comment, “I see it going up everywhere.” All this leads us...
How To Analysis A Conversion in Self-Storage

How To Analysis A Conversion in Self-Storage

I discussed in last weeks’ episode How To Analysis An Expansion self-storage opportunity. This week, let’s look at a conversion. When we say conversion, what I mean is we take an existing vacant building and convert it to self-storage. In my opinion, in today’s...
How I Analyze Self Storage Opportunities Today

How I Analyze Self Storage Opportunities Today

I’ve talked a lot about the benefits of self-storage over other types of commercial investment real estate. Usually, the benefits circle around the fact that self-storage is a steel wall and a concrete floor generating rents comparable to apartments or office...
What Business Are Your In?

What Business Are Your In?

Are you in the self storage business? Are you getting in the self storage business? For a long time, I related to myself as someone in the self storage business. For a couple of years in the 1990’s I was someone getting in the self storage business. But really? Lets look at what business you are REALLY in.

Snap Shot Of Self-Storage Industry January 2019

Snap Shot Of Self-Storage Industry January 2019

Every now and then it’s good to pull our heads up and just look at our self-storage industry. There is no doubt that the industry has grown during this recovery. Some may say too much, but this is the inevitable cycle that affects all real estate and businesses. As an...
Self-Storage & ADA Requirements.

Self-Storage & ADA Requirements.

ADA A thing that is often overlooked in thinking about, designing, or even trying to pull a building permit for a new self-storage facility, or an expansion, is the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements for self-storage. Yes, ADA is very applicable to...
Is Self-Storage Overbuilt?

Is Self-Storage Overbuilt?

Headlines: “Self-Storage Rates Fall Across US.” “New Supply Surges As Rental Rates Fall.” “Self-Storage Slows Down.” “Is it true?” “Well …that depends.” “On what?” “Where you are!” “I live in the southeast.” “Where In the southeast?” “In Georgia.” “Where in Georgia?”...