Author: Shinil Krishnan

A lot has changed over the last 12 months, and we are starting to see “green shoots” as the bottom of the market is hopefully near. Factors impacting much of the U.S. economy are evident in the self-storage industry, which produced modest rent growth in July 2025 according to data compiled by Yardi Matrix, but also a slower-than-anticipated rental season, much to the disappointment of many industry insiders. After a white-hot listing market in April and May, new listings seemed to slow down in June and July. Meanwhile, Argus closings…

Since the run-up in interest rates began in 2022, understanding the complete opportunity set of commercial real estate mortgage loan types available to self-storage investors has never been more important. CMBS In order to remain competitive in a higher interest rate environment, CMBS issuers have modified their underwriting criteria. Most borrowers opt for 5-year fixed-rate loans with full-term interest-only payments. The advantage of this execution is that CMBS issuers are willing to underwrite to a minimum debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) utilizing interest-only debt service payments rather than a mortgage…

While rent is the primary revenue driver, self-storage owners can significantly increase sales and profitability by strategically implementing a variety of strategies focusing on value-added services, optimizing operations, marketing, and enhancing the customer experience. Here’s a breakdown of key areas to focus on: 1. Ancillary Services and Retail Sales Offer tenant insurance or protection plans: This provides a valuable service to tenants while generating commissions for the facility. Many renters aren’t aware that their homeowners’ or renters’ insurance may not fully cover stored items, making this a crucial offering. Tenant protection…