Vertical Lift Gate or Slide Gate: Which is Better?

The access control decisions you make are vital to securing your self-storage property, but security isn’t the only factor that goes into the equation. In fact, there are pros and cons of vertical lift gates and cantilever slide gates that you’ll want to think about as well as questions you should be asking yourself to get the right fit for your facility. Get the Right Fit Many properties are getting tighter on space as land costs go up, so a gate that works within those site constraints is crucial. In…

VanWest Partners Completes Self Storage Expansion in Jacksonville, Florida

VanWest Partners announces the completion of a major expansion at its Jacksonville, Florida, self storage facility located at 6664 Firestone Road in the rapidly growing southern Jacksonville submarket. ClearHome Self Storage – Firestone Road was originally acquired in May 2024, marking VanWest’s ninth self storage acquisition in Florida over the past five years. The facility, originally constructed in 2021, consisted of 39,570 net rentable square feet across a mix of climate-controlled and non-climate-controlled units. The newly delivered expansion on the western half of the property adds more than 28,000 square…

How to Turn a Mismanaged Storage Facility into a High-Performing Asset

Some facilities seem to have it all—great location, good unit mix, strong market demand—and yet they still underperform. After lease up, occupancy stalls and net operating income (NOI) stagnates. More often than not, the issue isn’t the facility itself; it’s the management approach. This could manifest as inconsistent operations, outdated processes, poor tenant communication, lackluster marketing, or all of the above If left untreated, mismanagement can quietly erode your asset’s value and performance. But there is good news. A mismanaged facility can be transformed into a high-performing, revenue-generating asset with…

Superior Capital Advisors Welcomes Matt Porter as Managing Broker Covering MS, TN, AR, LA, and AL

Superior Capital Advisors (SCA), a leading investment advisory firm exclusively focused on the self-storage sector, is proud to announce that Matt Porter has joined the team as Managing Broker in the firm’s new Oxford, MS office. Matt will represent clients across Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Alabama, expanding SCA’s presence and strategic reach in the Southeastern U.S. With over five years of experience and a proven track record in the self-storage industry, Matt has successfully brokered 42 transactions totaling more than 1.2 million net rentable square feet. His deep knowledge…

U-Haul Plans Major Rental Center, Storage Building at Vacant Site in O’Fallon, Missouri

Expecting to bring 10 to 15 jobs to O’Fallon, a proposed U-Haul Moving and Storage Center complex is being considered for the former RP Lumber site at 1404 W. Highway 50. Plans call for construction of a retail center for truck and trailer rentals, related retail sales and indoor self-storage units on 7.5 acres, pending approval by the City Council. The city’s Planning Commission approved the planned use application from Amerco Real Estate Co., the real estate arm of U-Haul, on Aug. 12. “It will be designed to complement the…

Hearthfire Holdings Introduces Upscale Self-Storage Investment in Detroit Metropolitan Area, Completes Acquisition Of Crest Hill Development

Hearthfire Holdings, a premier real estate investment company focused on institutional-grade self-storage assets, today announced the introduction of a high-end investment prospect in Taylor, Michigan, and the successful closing of a shovel-ready development project in Crest Hill, Illinois. The transactions mirror the firm’s ongoing emphasis on high-growth, undersupplied markets throughout the Midwest. According to Hearthfire Holdings, Taylor, Michigan, is strategically positioned for Detroit’s economic rebirth. Adding to a ground up project acquired last year and now open for business in the adjacent city of Romulus, Hearthfire’s Taylor acquisition offers investors…

38 Moove in Self Storage Properties Owned by National Storage Affiliates to be Rebranded iStorage

Investment Real Estate Management LLC (IREM), part of the Investment Real Estate Group of Companies, announced the rebranding of 38 Moove In Self Storage properties under its management portfolio to iStorage, a nationally recognized brand owned by National Storage Affiliates (NYSE:NSA). IREM has long managed these NSA-owned properties, including locations in York and Lancaster counties, under the Moove In Self Storage name. The York-based company will continue to provide full management services. “We’re incredibly excited to bring a nationally recognized brand like iStorage to the marketplace under our management portfolio,”…

New Container Facility, Fuel Station Under Construction in Greater Cincinnati, OH

A new U-Haul U-Box container facility has been built next to the Sam’s Club on Kemper Road. The facility offers storage for portable moving containers that can be delivered to homes, as well as self-storage rental options. In addition to the U-Haul facility, construction is underway for a new fuel station next to the U-Box site. This fuel station, which will serve Sam’s Club customers, is expected to open later this fall. Source

Sentry Self Storage Management Takes Over Management of Your Extra Storage (YES) Portfolio in Knoxville, TN

Sentry Self Storage Management, based out of Coral Springs, FL., is pleased to announce it has officially assumed management responsibilities for the Your Extra Storage (YES) portfolio, encompassing three self-storage properties in Knoxville, Tennessee. These locations bring 1,300 units and 170k net rentable square feet to Sentry’s management platform. This new partnership marks the expansion of Sentry Self Storage Management’s footprint into the thriving Knoxville market. The YES portfolio is well-regarded for its convenient locations and quality storage solutions, making it a valuable addition to Sentry’s managed properties. “We are…

How Much Revenue Do Self Storage Facilities Lose From Missed Calls?

58% of people will rent from the first self-storage facility that they call, according to SSA’s 2023 Self Storage Demand Study. Even in a digital-first world, there will always be a segment of tenants who want to speak to a real person on the phone. Consequently, operators who consistently pick up the phone have a better chance of closing more leads and raking in more revenue. But it’s almost impossible to maintain a high pick-up rate if you’re relying on a single site manager. One person simply can’t respond to…