Where’s the Exit?

Anyone following the self-storage industry over the past decade has seen the impacts of institutional capital (private equity, HNW family offices, hedge funds, endowments, etc.). Primary impacts include: The rise of REIT 3rd party management platforms Institutional capital generally mandates institutional property management. The self-storage REITs, primarily Extra Space, CubeSmart, Public Storage, and now SmartStop, have been the main beneficiaries of this shift in the capital stack. Prior to the entrance of institutional capital, the REITs’ growth came from development and acquisition activity that has now shifted to adding properties…

White Label Storage Expands National Footprint With Addition of 14 New Facilities in November

White Label Storage, one of the industry’s fastest-growing third-party self-storage management companies, announced the addition of 14 new facilities to its management portfolio in November, strengthening its position as a leading operational partner for owners across the U.S. As the self-storage industry continues to evolve, more owners are seeking dependable guidance, operational efficiency, and transparent performance insight. White Label Storage’s continued growth reflects a rising demand for trusted, tech-enabled management solutions. November Portfolio Growth The new facilities represent significant expansion across multiple regions and property types, showcasing the broad range…

Industry Insights on Why Storage Unit Door Replacements Matter

Storage unit doors are among the most frequently used components of any self-storage facility. They not only secure a tenant’s belongings, but they also affect how potential renters perceive your facility, influence operational costs and can even impact long-term property value. Industry experts now emphasize that proper door choice, maintenance and timely replacement are essential parts of facility management.  What Happens When Doors Aren’t Maintained—and When to Replace Instead Based on guidance from industry experts like Janus International’s David Alexander, director of National Account Services,  there are common problems that…

5 Questions with…White Label Storage

In this episode of 5 Questions With, Gabriel Woodhead, Director of Customer Service at White Label Storage, shares expert insights into running a high-performing call center in the self-storage space. We discuss: Metrics that matter: pickup rate, conversion rate, handle time Training tips tailored to self-storage How call data drives better performance Trends in caller behavior The shift toward digital & remote management White Label Storage, a third-party management company, currently operates over 270 facilities across 43 states. They handle everything from customer service to maintenance, with flexible remote and…

Third-Party Management vs. In-House: What Scales Better in Self Storage?

As self storage portfolios grow, so do the challenges of keeping operations consistent, data reliable, and performance optimized across multiple facilities. Whether you own two locations or twenty, operators must answer an inevitable question: Should we keep management in-house or hire a third-party management company? It’s a critical decision with long-term implications for scalability, profitability, and even asset value. Both models can be effective, but the one that works best for your business depends on your growth plan as well as how you’ll handle technology, marketing, and customer service. To…

Development and a K-Shaped Economy: A Growing Challenge for Self-Storage

As the end of 2025 approaches, the self-storage industry finds itself navigating two converging headwinds: an increasingly active development pipeline and the growing signs of a K-shaped economy. While each challenge is significant on its own, the combination presents a more structural issue for operators, owners, and investors. Development activity remains elevated across many U.S. markets, and despite widespread acknowledgment of “overbuilding,” new supply continues to be delivered. Many people are still underestimating the pace and scale of ongoing development. This point resonates with what we are seeing on the…

Top 10 Most Common Items Stored at a Storage Facility

Hey Money Makers! Brandon Robinson here, National Director at Calvary Realty. Today, we’re diving into a topic that every self-storage owner, manager, and renter should know: the most common items stored in Self-Storage units. Whether you’re using storage for personal or business reasons, there’s a good chance that the items you’re storing fall into one of these categories. Let’s count down from 10 to the #1 most commonly stored item in Self-Storage units across the country! 10 – Exercise Equipment Starting at number ten, we have exercise equipment. With home…

White Label Storage Launches AI Revenue Management Tool to Increase Profitability of Self-Storage Facilities

White Label Storage announced the launch of its new AI-powered revenue management tool, RevMan ai, designed to optimize revenue generation for every facility under its management. By utilizing AI with proprietary data sets, this software further enhances the company’s revenue management capabilities, which will help its clients optimize pricing, maximize occupancy, and increase profitability. “We are thrilled to bring our new RevMan ai online,” said Peter Smyth, CEO and Co-Founder of White Label Storage. “By integrating AI into our revenue management practice, we’re able to provide our clients with the…

What Amount of Rent Increase Is Appropriate for Your Self-Storage Tenants?

One of the most common questions self-storage owners face is: “How much should I raise rents on my tenants?” It’s a delicate balance. Raise rents too little, and you leave money on the table. Raise them too much, and you risk driving tenants away. The key is finding the right middle ground—one that boosts revenue while keeping occupancy strong. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you determine the right rent increase strategy for your facility. 1. Understand Your Local Market Before making any changes, research what your competitors are charging…

Headwinds Have Subsided – What’s Next?

Anyone following the self-storage market knows that the past few years has provided many headwinds, from different directions – occupancies slipped, aggressive rental rates took down in-place rents, new supply hammered markets and interest rates made selling a serious challenge. As we get ready to close out 2025 many of these headwinds have softened, perhaps it’s more of a gentle breeze with supply pipelines falling off, lease-ups seeing improved operating metrics, the REITs softening their aggressive lease-up rental rates and interest rates flattening or even coming down a touch. Although…