{"id":9838,"date":"2025-09-03T13:10:56","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T13:10:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/?p=9838"},"modified":"2026-02-13T10:18:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T10:18:31","slug":"time-to-look-sharp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/time-to-look-sharp\/","title":{"rendered":"Time To Look Sharp!"},"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 physical condition of a self-storage property significantly impacts both rental rates and occupancy by directly influencing customer perception of security, value, and quality. Facilities that are clean, well-lit, well-maintained, and modern can command higher rents and attract more tenants, while neglected properties must often lower prices to compete. In today\u2019s hyper-competitive world, it is mission-critical to maintain or improve a facility\u2019s physical condition.<\/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>Impact on rental rates<\/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;\">Higher rent prices: A well-maintained property with strong curb appeal can justify charging premium rental rates. Visible care of the facility signals to customers that their belongings will be safe and secure, a service many are willing to pay extra for. Factors that enable higher rents include:<\/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>Aesthetics<\/b>: Fresh paint, clean grounds, well-maintained and operational doors, and attractive landscaping improve a facility&#8217;s &#8220;curb appeal,&#8221; creating a positive first impression that draws in potential renters<\/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>Security<\/b>: Investing in enhanced security features like secure and operational gates, bright lighting, and smart access controls increases customer confidence and adds perceived value<\/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>Cleanliness<\/b>: Paved, well-maintained driveways and pest-free units assure tenants that their stored items will be protected<\/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;\">On the other hand, lower rent prices: A facility in poor physical condition must often offer lower rates or special concessions to attract and retain tenants. This is because a neglected appearance creates a negative perception of security and overall care.<\/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>Impact on occupancy<\/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;\">Higher occupancy: A clean, safe, and modern facility attracts and retains more customers, leading to higher physical occupancy 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>Initial attraction<\/b>: An appealing exterior and well-maintained property make potential tenants feel more comfortable choosing a facility for their valuable belongings<\/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>Tenant retention<\/b>: High-quality facilities foster customer satisfaction and a sense of trust, which encourages long-term rentals and reduces turnover<\/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>Targeting the right customers<\/b>: Investing in facility upgrades helps attract serious, long-term tenants rather than those who are more likely to abandon their units. Long-term tenants are self-storage facility\u2019s most valuable asset! Attracting and retaining long-term customers has a huge impact on value<\/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;\">Lower occupancy (or &#8220;economic vacancy&#8221;): A facility in disrepair can have a high &#8220;economic vacancy,&#8221; even if its physical occupancy rate appears normal. This occurs because low-quality properties may need to offer deep discounts and concessions to fill units.<\/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>Deterring customers<\/b>: A run-down facility with issues like potholes, peeling paint, or inadequate lighting can deter prospective tenants who perceive it as unsafe or poorly managed<\/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>Higher turnover<\/b>: If tenants feel the facility is not well-cared for, they are more likely to move their belongings out once they find a better option<\/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>Increased risks<\/b>: Facilities in poor condition are more susceptible to theft and vandalism, which further damages their reputation and discourages potential customers<\/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;\">As a self-storage real estate broker, it\u2019s easy to pinpoint the accretive value that seemingly minor improvements or upgrades can have on a facility\u2019s value \u2013 every additional $1 in monthly income translates to over $200 in value. Take a hard look at your facility and decide what improvements make the most \u201ccents\u201d 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: large;\"><b>About the Author:<\/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;\"><strong>Tom de Jong<\/strong> is Executive Vice President with Colliers International and a founding member of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.listselfstorage.com\/us\/vendors\/profile\/De-Jong-Self-Storage-Team-I-COLLIERS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>De Jong Self Storage Team I COLLIERS<\/strong><\/a>, with over 18 years of experience and billions in sales of self storage properties.<\/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=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Source<\/strong><\/span>: <em><strong>Tom de Jong, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.listselfstorage.com\/us\/vendors\/profile\/De-Jong-Self-Storage-Team-I-COLLIERS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">De Jong Self Storage Team I COLLIERS<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The physical condition of a self-storage property significantly impacts both rental rates and occupancy by directly influencing customer perception of security, value, and quality. Facilities that are clean, well-lit, well-maintained, and modern can command higher rents and attract more tenants, while neglected properties must often lower prices to compete. In today\u2019s hyper-competitive world, it is mission-critical to maintain or improve a facility\u2019s physical condition. Impact on rental rates Higher rent prices: A well-maintained property with strong curb appeal can justify charging premium rental rates. Visible care of the facility signals&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":9179,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[21],"tags":[],"gutentor_comment":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9838"}],"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=9838"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9838\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9839,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9838\/revisions\/9839"}],"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=9838"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9838"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9838"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}