Category: Sponsored

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…

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…

Storage of America Selects White Label Storage to Manage Multi-State Portfolio

Storage of America has officially selected White Label Storage to manage their portfolio of 27 facilities across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri. This partnership expands White Label Storage’s presence in the Midwest and cements its position as one of the fastest-growing third-party management companies in the industry. Storage of America’s facilities offer a range of storage options, from climate-controlled units to boat, RV, and vehicle storage to drive-up rentals. The portfolio includes a range of property types, including multi-level facilities with over 1,000 units. The collection of facilities includes…

How to Optimize Your Self Storage Unit Mix

If you want to maximize your facility’s revenue, occupancy, and customer satisfaction, you’ve got to have the right unit mix. It’s not just about how many units you have—it’s about having the right types and sizes that fit the needs of your market. Whether you’re opening a new facility or reassessing an existing one, understanding how to tailor your unit mix to meet demand can transform your profitability. Start With Market Demand, Not Assumptions Matching your unit mix to local market demands is an exercise in product-market fit. This concept…

Self-Storage Valuation: The Importance of the Human Touch

As the self-storage sector continues to evolve, technology has become an essential tool for improving operations, enhancing customer service, and streamlining processes. One of the most critical aspects of managing your self-storage investment is accurately assessing what creates value. However, despite the advantages that technology brings to self-storage valuation today, the importance of human insight and touch remains crucial. The role of technology in self-storage valuation has always been important, but experience, expertise, and local knowledge are critical today to ensure an accurate valuation of your self-storage investment. Self-storage valuation…