{"id":10670,"date":"2026-01-21T13:27:41","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T13:27:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/?p=10670"},"modified":"2026-01-22T15:47:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T15:47:42","slug":"bang-for-the-buck","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/bang-for-the-buck\/","title":{"rendered":"Bang for the Buck!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!-- VideographyWP Plugin Message: Automatic video embedding prevented by plugin options. --><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The key driver for asset value in the self-storage space is EBITDA or Net Operating Income. Every $1 in increased Net Income monthly increases the value of a facility by approximately $200.00. If you could invest capital to enhance value, where should you spend it? Here are the three investments that provide the generally largest bang for the buck!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>1. Technology Upgrades<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">In 2026, technology is the primary driver of operational efficiency and customer convenience.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Management Software:<\/b> This is the most vital technological investment, serving as the operational hub for billing, gate access, and reporting.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Automation:<\/b> Implementing online leasing and payment systems allows for a &#8220;staff-less&#8221; move-in process, drastically reducing labor costs while meeting modern consumer demands.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Dynamic Pricing:<\/b> Utilizing software that automatically adjusts rental rates based on demand and local competition optimizes revenue in real-time.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Remote Management Tools:<\/b> Integrating IVR payments and remote call centers can accelerate a facility&#8217;s path to profitability.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>2. Marketing Strategies<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Effective marketing is essential for maintaining high occupancy rates, which typically aim for 88\u201390% in stabilized facilities. If you are at 100% occupancy, you may consider implementing more aggressive rate increases; if you are below 80%, you may want to be more aggressive in attracting new tenants. Here are some of the best investments in marketing.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Digital Presence:<\/b> A professional website optimized for SEO and managed Google Business Profiles are mandatory for local visibility.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Targeted Paid Ads:<\/b> Using Google and Facebook ads to target specific local demographics, such as apartment dwellers who are frequent storage users.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Referral &amp; Loyalty Programs:<\/b> Offering incentives for current tenants to refer new customers helps maintain low-cost acquisition channels.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Local Partnerships:<\/b> Collaborating with moving companies and real estate agents creates a steady stream of &#8220;4Ds&#8221; leads (Death, Divorce, Downsizing, Dislocation).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>3. Facility Improvements<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Physical upgrades transition an underperforming asset into a &#8220;Class A&#8221; facility, justifying higher rental rates.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Security Infrastructure:<\/b> High-quality surveillance, gated access with keypad entry, and individual unit alarms are now standard expectations that protect the investment.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Add Units\/Space:<\/b> Many facilities have excess or under-utilized space. Adding parking for RV\u2019s\/boats and\/or adding portable storage units can add significant income without a huge investment.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Aesthetic &amp; Structural Upgrades:<\/b> Replacing aging doors, repaving lots, and updating the office (if applicable) prevents deferred maintenance from becoming a capital burden.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Curb Appeal:<\/b> Modern designs featuring glass and greenery can attract premium customers who view storage as a lifestyle extension rather than just &#8220;extra space&#8221;.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Climate Control Conversion:<\/b> Converting traditional units to climate-controlled spaces can increase NOI by up to 25% and significantly compress cap rates, boosting overall valuation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Enhancing your facility\u2019s value will require some effort, but in the end, it will pay off handsomely. One alternative for the independent operator is to hire a professional 3rd party manager (3PM) to do the heavy lifting for you.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Have questions? Need resources? Don\u2019t hesitate to reach out, I\u2019m always happy to help!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-10344 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Tom-de-Jong_Colliers-2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"134\" height=\"134\" \/>About the author:<\/b><\/span> Tom de Jong is an Executive Vice President with Colliers International and a founding member of the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.listselfstorage.com\/us\/vendors\/profile\/De-Jong-Self-Storage-Team-I-COLLIERS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u>de Jong Self Storage Team I COLLIERS<\/u><\/a>\u201d one of the top brokerage teams in the self-storage industry. To discuss this article or to find out what your assets are worth today connect with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.listselfstorage.com\/us\/vendors\/profile\/De-Jong-Self-Storage-Team-I-COLLIERS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u>Tom <\/u><u>de Jong<\/u><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The key driver for asset value in the self-storage space is EBITDA or Net Operating Income. Every $1 in increased Net Income monthly increases the value of a facility by approximately $200.00. If you could invest capital to enhance value, where should you spend it? Here are the three investments that provide the generally largest bang for the buck! 1. Technology Upgrades In 2026, technology is the primary driver of operational efficiency and customer convenience. Management Software: This is the most vital technological investment, serving as the operational hub for&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":9179,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6,21],"tags":[],"gutentor_comment":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10670"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10670"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10670\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10671,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10670\/revisions\/10671"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9179"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10670"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10670"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10670"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}