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The Square Foot per Capita Myth

The Square Foot per Capita Myth

by Mark Helm | Apr 3, 2026 | Site Selection & Feasibility

It’s time to talk about square foot per capita again. I have run into more and more issues with that metric and think it is time to permanently interrupt the myth that still pervades our industry. That...

Not Sure What Features to Offer at Your New Self-Storage Facility? Let the Demographics Tell You.

Not Sure What Features to Offer at Your New Self-Storage Facility? Let the Demographics Tell You.

by Mark Helm | Jul 4, 2025 | Site Selection & Feasibility

Let’s discuss what features, what bells and whistles to add to your new facility or one you may be purchasing. But first, let me tell you a story. About half the time on workday mornings, I still head to...

What Are Good Average and Median Incomes for a Self-Storage Trade Area?

What Are Good Average and Median Incomes for a Self-Storage Trade Area?

by Mark Helm | Sep 20, 2024 | Site Selection & Feasibility

Although I did not attend the most recent Self Storage Association convention in Las Vegas, I have been studying many of the sessions that occurred there. One thing I found very interesting was the...

Now Is the Time… Time to Get Rid of Sq. Ft. Per Capita Once and for All as the Metric for Self-Storage Supply Demand Calculations

Now Is the Time… Time to Get Rid of Sq. Ft. Per Capita Once and for All as the Metric for Self-Storage Supply Demand Calculations

by Mark Helm | Jul 26, 2024 | Site Selection & Feasibility

It seems like once a year or so; I get on a soap box and rail about sq. ft. per capita as the primary measurement for self-storage supply demand calculations. https://youtu.be/TCAy080u1Jo Just some of...

Let’s Re-Think What Makes a Profitable Trade Area for Self-Storage – Some Unique Metrics One May Use

Let’s Re-Think What Makes a Profitable Trade Area for Self-Storage – Some Unique Metrics One May Use

by Mark Helm | Mar 15, 2024 | Site Selection & Feasibility

I have been on a soap box for years, preaching that square feet of storage per person is not always the most accurate way to determine the viability of a self-storage project in a given trade area. Many of you have suffered through my rants before....

Self Storage Site Selection Mastery for the Small Investor

Self Storage Site Selection Mastery for the Small Investor

by Mark Helm | Jan 12, 2024 | Site Selection & Feasibility

Let’s use Jan. of 2024 as a back-to-the-basics on how to get into the self-storage business or grow one in these challenging times; I thought I would talk again about what makes a good site for...

My Philosophy on Site Selection and Feasibility Analysis for Self-Storage Facilities

My Philosophy on Site Selection and Feasibility Analysis for Self-Storage Facilities

by Mark Helm | Jun 16, 2023 | Site Selection & Feasibility

I hear it almost daily from someone, "I see self-storage facilities everywhere." If you're considering entering the self-storage industry, or for those of us in it and growing our business, one of the...

Three Additional Things to Ask For Before You Engage a Feasibility Report

Three Additional Things to Ask For Before You Engage a Feasibility Report

by Mark Helm | Jan 27, 2023 | Site Selection & Feasibility

Do you know you can talk to the person you hire for a self storage feasibility report and ask them to focus on a few additional things before you engage them? At least I do. So far, it has worked. Now...

Supply and Demand Variables Besides Sq. Ft/ Per Capita – Is It Time to Revise Our Thinking?

Supply and Demand Variables Besides Sq. Ft/ Per Capita – Is It Time to Revise Our Thinking?

by Mark Helm | Dec 9, 2022 | Site Selection & Feasibility

About twice a year, I get on my soapbox and pontificate about using sq. ft/per capita as the sole and primary basis for determining self storage supply/demand in a market or trade area. It’s that time of...

What I Look For Today in a Self Storage Trade Area

What I Look For Today in a Self Storage Trade Area

by Mark Helm | Nov 5, 2021 | Site Selection & Feasibility

Today, it is more critical than ever to make sure a trade area is healthy and ripe for self storage as you are considering buying, building, converti9ng, or expanding in a particular trade area. It has...

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