Category: Sponsored

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.…

Operating a self-storage facility has never been more dynamic. While demand for storage remains strong in many markets, operators are facing new pressures from increased competition, rising expenses, changing customer expectations, and evolving technology. Success today depends on more than simply keeping units occupied – it requires managing the business efficiently while delivering a great customer experience. Here are six common challenges facing self-storage operators and practical ways to overcome them. 1. Maintaining Healthy Occupancy Occupancy is one of the most closely watched performance metrics, but it has become more…

White Label Storage is thrilled to announce the launch of ECRI Hub, its proprietary software tool built to optimize and de-risk one of the most time-consuming tasks in self-storage management: existing-customer rate increases (ECRI). This internal application is already in use across the company’s operations teams, giving site managers a faster, more precise way to identify eligible tenants, apply rate changes, and stay compliant with notice requirements, all from a single screen. As a result, White Label Storage can improve revenue generation more quickly and consistently, which delivers more value…

Heading into the second half of 2026, trends in the self-storage investment market are creating opportunities for investors with the right investment strategy, but we are also seeing many groups on the sidelines due to cost of capital or investment expectations that are unachievable in today’s market. The self-storage investment market is clearly showing signs of a K-Shaped recovery, with major market deals commanding premiums while secondary and tertiary market investment opportunities are showing soft pricing fundamentals. The self-storage industry continues to find itself navigating two converging headwinds: an active…

For self-storage owners, operators, developers, brokers, and investors, the final quarter of the year is often one of the busiest times for acquisitions and dispositions. Buyers are looking to deploy capital before year-end, sellers are motivated to close transactions, and brokers are working to connect the right people before the calendar turns. With that in mind, Modern Storage Media (MSM) has built something entirely new for THE Show, which is taking place Nov. 4 to 6, 2026, in Atlanta. More than simply another networking event, MSM’s THE Show offers something…