In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most frequent questions we get: how to find self storage deals.  We’ll share the five-step guide AJ uses to find self storage deals in 2024 and show YOU how to copy it so you can get your next home run off-market self storage deal. If you’re waiting for your first or next self storage facility, this is EXACTLY where to start! You’ve heard us talk about buying and managing self storage facilities, but where do we even find the ones we want to buy? Unlike rental properties, there isn’t some mass listing site that shows every self storage facilit ..read more

Everyone wants to know how to be a leader. They want the big business, the money, the ability to turn a scrappy team into top performers. But here’s the reality—99% of people don’t have what it takes to become a leader because behind the private jets and huge deals getting done are mountains of failure that most people will never see. So, do you have what it takes to become the next great leader? In this episode, we’ll discuss the three levels of leadership. If you run a self storage facility, you’re likely at one of these levels. Whether you have 100 or 10,000 doors, you need these leadership ..read more

Big REITs can raise and lower prices whenever it suits them - but is this actually the best way to treat your customers? We don't think so. Instead, we focus on operations - how can we improve, so the customer gets a better product?? Our operations team has been visiting our facilities to look at what we can do to improve the value we provide to customers. Are we missing a piece of equipment that would make cleaning easier? Are we making sure we respond to customers' concerns in a timely manner? Then, how do we pass this feedback along from customers to employees to managers?  These are a ..read more

Self Storage was hit during the COVID-19 shutdown. But during that time, storage saw a surge in demand, which put it ahead of many other asset classes. It reacted in a way that many thought not possible in a recession.   But the problem is, the industry reacted very strangely. There became an assumption that you can succeed in storage with very little effort or improvement. As the economy shifts back towards the pre-pandemic normal, this approach HAS to change. The market will not simply work in your favor "just because."   In this episode, we talk with Dane Elefante about ..read more

It's real. It's talk. It's Real Talk w/ AJ. Ready to buy storage? Have your deals personally evaluated by AJ and our team!  https://www.selfstorageincome.com/feasibility  Take advantage of today’s market conditions and invest with us:  https://cedar.cc/invest ..read more

Storage tech has not kept up with the times - just think: how easy was it to book a storage unit vs booking a flight? Or ordering off of Amazon?  Large companies have condition us, the consumers, to accept new methods of paying for goods and services. We have contactless payments, Apple/Google Pay, Amazon Prime Two-Day shipping, and many more. But what does this have to do with self storage? We brought back Lance Watkins, the CEO of Tenant Inc., who specializes in self storage management software and technology. His expertise in the field allows him to point out several common weak points ..read more

Cell towers play an integral role in our modern world - but they also impact the self storage industry directly. We bought a facility years ago that had a cell tower onsite. We put $800K down, but in the first 2-3 years, we received $500K back utilizing the cell tower on our property.  Today, we bring back Hugh Odom, co-founder & president of Vertical Consultants. He works with property owners presented with cell tower leasing opportunities. Understanding the true value of that lease agreement can impact not only where the tower is, but your surrounding property as well. Hugh bri ..read more

Like any industry, self storage has recently adopted the idea of "promotional pricing." Think "first month's rent" for housing or "device trade in credit" for buying the newest smartphone. At some point, it is just too good to be true.  There's a fine line between "promotional" and "false advertising." Attracting the right customer base - and getting them in the door the RIGHT way - is what Conner and Jesse Harmon talk about in this episode of Self Storage Income. Jesse recently got back from the Tenant Inc. Innovation Conference, where there was a lot of discussion on customer acquisitio ..read more

Single Family homes and Self Storage facilities are drastically different assets. They are both a solid path of investment that can yield great returns. And as a homeowner (or a prospective one), self storage may seen complicated and out of your price range. Like Mike, you may be a homeowner with 1 or multiple properties. He is an ex-corporate worker in the Charolette, NC area and used to be a player in long-term/short-term rentals for Single Family homes. Barely making it out of 2008, he eventually ended up in storage. Three years ago, Mike bought his first Self Storage facility, a small deal ..read more

Self storage marketing is one of the most CRUCIAL parts of owning a facility, but most self storage operators completely overlook it. They hear words like “branding,” “advertising,” and “SEO” and become frozen, so they stick to drive-by marketing and running ads in the local newspaper. This WILL NOT work in 2024, and with vacancies still running high across the country, the ONLY thing that will save you is self storage marketing done RIGHT. Luckily, we’re about to show you exactly how to do it. We’ve tested these self storage marketing ideas for over a decade, beating the local competition AND ..read more