United Properties Group (UPG Spaces) Opens Self-Storage Facility in New Braunfels, Texas

United Properties Group, operating under the name UPG Spaces, has opened HelloSapce+ at Lonesome Quail, a 60,423-square-foot self-storage facility at 141 Lonesome Quail Drive in New Braunfels, Texas. The company oversees day-to-day operations at the privately owned property. The property is a single-story building across a 5-acre site. Phase I of the development brought online approximately 400 units, most of which are climate-controlled, with sizes ranging from 25 to 300 square feet. Amenities include drive-up access, U-Haul trucks, trailers, boxes and packing supplies available on site. HelloSpace+ at Lonesome Quail…

5 Questions With… Janus International

  How are smart locks reshaping security — and ROI — in self-storage? In this episode of 5 Questions With, John Bilton from Janus International breaks down the latest trends in facility break-ins, the role of smart technology in boosting security, and how operators can see real returns from investing in tools like Nokē Smart Entry. If you’re wondering whether today’s customers expect smarter, safer storage — or how tech impacts occupancy and revenue — don’t miss this one. Bonus: Janus International will be exhibiting at the upcoming SSA Fall…

5 Low-Cost Upgrades That Increase Facility Value Before Sale

  By David Perlleshi & Frank DeSalvo When preparing your self-storage facility for sale, strategic improvements can make a big difference in attracting serious buyers and maximizing your final sale price. The good news? You don’t need a massive renovation budget to make an impact. Small, smart upgrades, if chosen well, often deliver the biggest return. Here are five low-cost enhancements we recommend before bringing a property to market: 1. Enhance Curb Appeal First impressions still matter. Trim back overgrown landscaping, lay down fresh mulch, and remove any clutter around…

10 Warning Signs a Tenant is Living in Your Self-Storage Facility

  Living in a Self-Storage unit is illegal in most areas and poses serious safety and liability risks for facility owners. Unfortunately, it’s an issue that many operators face at some point. The good news? By spotting the warning signs early, you can prevent a small problem from becoming a costly legal mess. Here are 10 signs that a tenant might be secretly living at your facility — and what to watch for: 1. Unusual hours of access If you notice a tenant consistently accessing their unit late at night…

White Label Storage Surpasses 200 Self Storage Facilities Under Management

White Label Storage, a leading third-party management company, has surpassed 200 facilities in its management portfolio. The company was only founded in 2022, so this announcement marks a major achievement for the organization’s growth and solidifies their reputation for operational excellence. “Crossing the 200-facility mark is an exciting milestone, but we’re just getting started,” said Peter Smyth, CEO and Co-Founder of White Label Storage. “We’re continuing to roll out unique products within our management platform that raise the bar for service and give independent owners the ability to compete in…

VanWest Partners Opens New Self Storage Facility in Southeast Denver, Colorado

VanWest Partners, a Denver-based real estate investment firm specializing in self-storage acquisitions and management, has opened ClearHome Self Storage – Colorado Blvd, a newly constructed, state-of-the-art self-storage facility at 2425 S. Colorado Boulevard. The five-story property officially opened in late June, following a 20-month development effort that brings modern, climate-controlled storage to one of Denver’s most prominent corridors. The project spans over 92,000 rentable square feet with over 1,100 fully climate-controlled units. Featuring a sleek glass façade, Kalwall lighting elements, and integrated solar power, the facility combines contemporary design, sustainability,…

Talonvest Capital Closes $13 Million Self-Storage Financing for Millersville, MD

Talonvest Capital, Inc., a boutique self-storage and commercial real estate advisory firm, has successfully arranged a $13,000,000 permanent loan for the refinance of a self-storage facility in Millersville, MD. The non-recourse loan was secured on behalf of Storage Village, an experienced owner/operator with facilities located throughout the Baltimore-Washington corridor. Known for its commitment to integrity, excellence, and community service, Storage Village has been a trusted storage owner for thousands of customers for over 25 years. The property features 556 climate-controlled units, 188 non-climate-controlled units, and 5 parking spaces for vehicle…

Mastering Your Sales Funnel: Boosting Conversions in Self-Storage Sales

In the highly competitive self-storage industry, mastering your sales funnel is crucial for turning inquiries into loyal customers. A well-structured sales funnel guides prospects from awareness to action with intentional messaging, follow-up, and service strategies. Start by understanding who manages your funnel—on-site teams, off-site reps, or a hybrid model—and tailor your process to ensure each lead is nurtured effectively. Clear communication is essential. Train your team to build rapport quickly during phone calls, capturing key details early, and ensuring your phone systems, call tracking, and coaching tools are functioning flawlessly.…

Build, Buy, Sell

Over the past decade, the influence of Private Equity investing in all aspects of the self-storage industry has been profound. Up until late 2002, when NCREIF (National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries) started tracking self-storage as an asset class, there were the REITs and private sources of capital, with very few sources in between. Private Equity started investing in the industry in earnest in the mid-2010s and now accounts for almost half of all self-storage investing (Preqin, Yardi, Nareit). Hold Period A few of the impacts include a more…

Sell Your Facility for 20% More with Seller Financing

We’re seeing an increasing number of self-storage deals closing with the seller being the lender and financing the deal. Any facility we list for sale with seller financing available always attracts higher levels of buyer interest, which results in more offers and an eventual sale price 15-20% higher than the market. As an added benefit, the seller doesn’t have to figure out how to invest the sale proceeds, and they receive monthly interest payments during the loan term. Loan terms are always negotiated between buyer and seller, and the most…