A Tale of Two Markets: Soft Operations, Strong Values

Over the past several years, the self-storage industry has found itself operating in a unique and, at times, contradictory environment. On one hand, operating fundamentals, particularly occupancy and rental rate growth, have softened meaningfully from their pandemic-era highs. On the other hand, investor demand for self-storage remains robust, capital is plentiful, and asset values continue to hold firm with cap rates being lower than historical averages considering the cost of debt today. This divergence between operating performance and investment demand has created one of the most nuanced ownership environments we…

The Hidden Cost of Poor Customer Service in Self-Storage

Most self-storage operators know their occupancy rate by heart. What far fewer operators can quantify is how much poor customer service is costing them. That’s not because it doesn’t matter, but because the impact tends to fly under the radar, until one day it doesn’t. Customer service has quietly become a critical revenue driver in self-storage. When competition is intensifying, consumer sentiment is king, and Google reviews carry more weight than ever, operators who treat service as a secondary priority aren’t just leaving money on the table — they’re actively…

Recent Self-Storage Transactions: 03.04.2026 – 03.10.2026

The self-storage sector kicked off the month with robust investment activity across diverse markets, from institutional-grade portfolios to specialized niche assets. Significant capital continues to flow into the space, as highlighted by a $71.5 million financing and joint-venture deal for an 18-property portfolio poised for a 70,000-square-foot expansion. Transactions spanned from high-density urban plays in Boston and Utah to expansive boat and RV storage facilities in Texas, reflecting a healthy appetite for both traditional climate-controlled units and specialized vehicle storage. With physical occupancies reaching up to 90% in key regions…