Category: Sponsored

StorTrack, our sister brand and the self-storage industry’s leading market intelligence platform, just launched MCP, a new way to access trusted market data directly through enterprise AI assistants like Claude. With StorTrack MCP, investors, buyers, and developers can ask natural language questions and receive live market intelligence instantly, including competitor pricing, acquisition opportunities, demographic insights, and historical data. No exports, no spreadsheets, no complex workflows. For anyone evaluating a new market or assessing a deal before buying, StorTrack MCP puts the data you need at your fingertips faster than ever.…

Earlier this summer, White Label Storage co-founder Peter Smyth sat down with Scott Meyers of Self-Storage Investing for a live webinar on one of the toughest questions in the industry: when a facility underperforms, how do you know whether it’s a market problem or an execution problem? And once you know the answer, how do you fix it? From due diligence frameworks to revenue management to how to read the market, the conversation covered a lot of ground. Here are a few practical takeaways from the session for any owners…

Reliable self-storage analytics are crucial for making confident decisions. Otherwise, it’s hard to know what’s bringing customers in and where to allocate resources—especially when you’re managing multiple sites. It’s common for operators to measure success with obvious indicators—how full the lot looks, how busy the phones are, how steady payments seem. But these don’t uncover deeper trends, like which locations consistently underperform, which unit sizes sit vacant the longest, or which tenants are most likely to default. Reliable, consistent self-storage analytics replace assumptions with measurable facts and data. With Storage…

The self-storage industry does not need another trade show that looks and feels like every other one. That is why Modern Storage Media created something different with THE Show, taking place Nov. 4 to 6 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. This is more than an exhibit hall surrounded by educational sessions. THE Show was designed as a complete industry experience—bringing together the people, information, connections, and opportunities you need to compete in today’s rapidly changing self-storage market. We have assembled an outstanding lineup of speakers representing every…

Self-storage operators have a responsibility to maintain a safe environment for tenants, employees, and surrounding properties. While most customers use their units appropriately, prohibited or illegal items can occasionally create serious safety, liability, and operational concerns. Operators should clearly define prohibited property in their rental agreements and understand applicable state and local requirements. Here are ten categories that deserve particular attention. 1. Stolen Property Storage units should never be used to conceal stolen merchandise. Operators should train employees to recognize suspicious activity while avoiding assumptions about tenants based solely on…

That may sound like an odd statement coming from someone whose profession is built on comparisons. In commercial real estate, we compare sales, rental rates, occupancy, cap rates, expenses, construction costs, and market trends every day. Without comparisons, there would be no valuations. So, comparison isn’t the problem. Comparison gives us perspective. The problem comes when we compare emotionally instead of objectively. Many self-storage owners are still comparing today’s market to the peak of 2022. They remember waiting lists, record-high valuations, historically low interest rates, and buyers competing for quality…

Maintaining strong occupancy is one of the most important goals for any self-storage operator. But when vacancies begin to increase, lowering rental rates isn’t necessarily the best—or only—solution. Often, the opportunity lies in improving how customers discover the facility, what they see when they arrive, and how easily they can complete a rental. Here are six practical strategies operators can use to generate more leads and convert them into tenants. 1. Make Your Facility Easy to Find Online For many prospective tenants, the search for storage begins online. That makes…

The self-storage industry continues to evolve as operators navigate changing market conditions, rising costs, and higher customer expectations. While the industry remains resilient, success in 2026 will depend on the ability to adapt quickly, make informed decisions, and improve operational efficiency. Here are the most important trends shaping the year ahead. Occupancy Is Becoming More Competitive After several years of exceptionally high occupancy, many markets have returned to more typical levels. In some regions, new facilities and slower demand have increased competition for every rental. Maintaining healthy occupancy now requires…

The Federal Reserve did what it’s done four meetings running: nothing. Rates stayed parked at 3.50%-3.75%. But don’t let “no change” fool you into thinking nothing happened. The vote was 9-3. Three governors wanted a quarter-point hike. That’s not a rounding error. That’s a real fight inside the building about whether inflation, still running hot at 3.4% on core PCE, is a problem the Fed can wait out or one it needs to attack now. Here’s why that fight matters if you own, operate, or want to buy self-storage. First,…

Successful self-storage investing begins long before closing day. While attractive listings and strong occupancy numbers may grab attention, experienced investors know that a thorough analysis is essential before making an acquisition decision. Evaluating a self-storage facility involves more than reviewing financial statements. It requires understanding the property’s operations, market position, growth potential, and long-term risks. Here are ten key areas every investor should evaluate before moving forward with a purchase. 1. Review the Financial Performance Begin by analyzing the property’s profit and loss statements, operating expenses, and historical cash flow.…