Self Storage Income

There are three crucial things every self storage investor must pay attention to when building their portfolio. These are the things that helped me scale a $300M+ self storage business and grow through the Great Recession, the pandemic lockdowns, and every downturn and upturn in between.    If you get these three things right, you will be successful in self storage. Even better news? There's a huge buying opportunity right now (with more on the way).    I’ll outline everything from your self storage market, to the operations and tech you should use, to the structure of the deal (I’ll even share how much debt I have and how I structured it) so you can survive the down times, thrive during the good, and grow in the middle.    Plus, I’ll share how we’re “making” deals right now and getting facilities 40% under replacement cost with millions in walk-in equity. I wish someone had told me all this when I started, but now, I’m giving it to you in under half an hour.   What you’ll learn in today’s show:   The three things that make a self storage facility successful  Huge buying opportunities happening right now that 99% of people are missing  Measuring supply and demand: how to know your facility’s rates can grow  The technology we’re using right now to automate self storage facilities in our portfolio  How to structure debt, loans, and capital when buying a facility (exactly what I do) The due diligence clause you need to add in every self storage offer you make     —   Grab AJ’s Book, Growing Wealth in Self-Storage 2.0  - https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Wealth-Self-Storage-2-0-Post-Pandemic/dp/1735258865    TractIQ - https://tractiq.com/    Nokē Smart Entry - https://www.janusintl.com/products/noke    Hummingbird by Tenant Inc. (Self Storage Software) - https://www.tenantinc.com/products/hummingbird 

The biggest threat to your self storage revenue isn’t your market, customers, or the asset itself. It’s you. In the wake of the 2008 Great Financial Crisis, I developed a simple yet powerful framework for mastering operations, unlocking hidden revenue, and increasing valuation. And in today’s market cycle, it’s just as relevant as it was back then. At its core, it all comes down to how you view your self storage facility. Too many operators view their facilities as real estate “assets,” where they rent out “units” to “tenants.” But that mindset is fundamentally flawed. Self storage is a business, with real “customers” and different types of “products.” Once you understand this, you can begin implementing a pricing model that drives true revenue growth, and in this episode, I walk through real examples that demonstrate how these changes can impact your bottom line. The truth is, occupancy doesn’t matter. It’s about revenue. Net operating income. Real cash flow. And when you make these changes, you’ll have more of it than you know what to do with.   What you’ll learn in today’s show: The best ways to increase the revenue (and value) of your self storage facility How to implement a profitable “tiered” pricing model at your self storage facility Why it’s crucial to operate self storage as a business (not a real estate asset) The biggest opportunities available to all self storage investors in 2026 How different pricing strategies can impact your bottom line (with examples) Three storage unit “buckets” you need to track with every facility — Grab AJ’s Book, Growing Wealth in Self-Storage 2.0 

The mistake you’re about to make could sink your self storage deal. We’ve been there many times before. We’ve been too aggressive with our numbers, cut corners on due diligence, and lost money. Thankfully, you don’t have to make these same mistakes. Conner and George are shining a light on the biggest red flags and pitfalls that catch self storage investors by surprise and, in some cases, leave them with a problematic asset that bleeds money. From environmental complications to “phantom” occupancy, we address the warning signs that should tell you to walk away or at least go back to the drawing board with your self storage underwriting. The truth is that not all of these issues automatically spell doom for your self storage facility. Some roadblocks that might scare off the average investor could actually be opportunities hidden in plain sight. But preparation is the key. With real-life examples, we’ll show you exactly how to approach every deal, from deep market and competition analysis to due diligence checks and balances, so that the next self storage facility you buy is set up for success. What you’ll learn in today’s show:   11 biggest self storage deal “killers” you should (usually) walk away from Real-life due diligence blunders we’ve made in the past (don’t repeat them!) How to turn minor self storage issues into major opportunities How to protect your cash flow by properly forecasting tax and insurance costs Evaluating property improvements for their return on investment (ROI) Zoning, permitting, and title challenges that could set your self storage deal back —  Grab AJ’s Book, Growing Wealth in Self-Storage 2.0  - https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Wealth-Self-Storage-2-0-Post-Pandemic/dp/1735258865  Join the Self Storage Income Community! - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/learn  Live Oak Bank - https://www.liveoak.bank/ 

This is how to start investing in self storage, right now.  In under 25 minutes, I’m going to walk you through exactly how to go from no self storage investments to your first one. Everything from building your “buy box” to finding the deals with upside potential, financing, due diligence, increasing revenue, and repeating it to build an entire portfolio.  None of the steps I’m sharing are difficult and a beginner can follow each of them, step by step, to get their first self storage facility this year. But you’ll need to be consistent. There are opportunities out there right now—I should know, I’m heavily buying in 2026. But they won’t fall into your lap. If you’re able to spot the best self storage opportunities, present my three-offer strategy to sellers, and improve operations, you’ll have a cash-flowing, equity-building, stable asset for decades to come. I did it, too, buying small, mom-and-pop facilities for $500,000 or less.  Now, it’s your turn. You want to know how to buy a self storage facility? These are the exact steps I’d take in 2026.  What you’ll learn in today’s show: How to buy your first self storage facility by the end of 2026 Building your “buy box” and knowing what type of facility you want to buy  The value-add opportunities that will boost a facility’s value once implemented  The formula to follow to find stable, safe, opportunistic self storage markets  Three financing options to give every seller when making self storage offers Spotting the “money on the table” that will make you wealthy in self storage  — Grab AJ’s Book, Growing Wealth in Self-Storage 2.0  - https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Wealth-Self-Storage-2-0-Post-Pandemic/dp/1735258865  Join the Self Storage Income Community! - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/learn-yt 

Ever wonder how self storage investors get their hands on enough capital to purchase not just one, or two, but several self storage facilities? The truth is that many of them bring very little of their own cash to the table. Why? Because self storage isn’t just another high-risk investment or business venture. It’s an opportunity. An opportunity to make steady (and passive) returns, allocate more capital to hard assets, and take advantage of massive tax benefits. After making this crucial mindset shift, you’ll find that there’s always more than enough money out there. From non-recourse (CMBS) loans and SBA loans to capital from family, friends, and other investors, there are countless sources to tap into—if you do your research, know your numbers inside out, and pitch your self storage deal as the wealth-building opportunity it is. AJ and Conner are breaking down all of your funding options, the ideal capital “stack” for novice investors, and the fastest ways to take down your next self storage deal—even if you’re starting from zero. What you’ll learn in today’s show: The capital “stack” any investor can use to fund their next self storage deal How to pitch your next self storage investment to limited partners (LPs) The number one mistake new self storage investors make when talking to banks The different types of loans you can use to finance your self storage facility How to protect yourself (and your limited partners) when structuring agreements — Join the SSI Community - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/learn-yt 

This is how to run a storage business successfully if you’re starting from scratch.  Closing on your first self storage investment is a big deal—but it comes with a lot of questions: What management software should I use? What types of locks are best? How do I track competitor prices? How do I handle the auction and lien process if someone doesn’t pay?  It’s easy to get overwhelmed and resort to handling everything yourself, which often leads not only to a bad storage business but also to severe burnout. It doesn’t have to be like this, so today, we’re sharing our entire self storage tech stack—everything we use to run our self storage facilities (remotely!) so you can have a successful first, or next, self storage investment.  We’ll give you everything—management software, lock systems, lien automations, call and customer service providers, website hosting, and other recommendations. If this is your first self storage facility, this information could be the difference between you scaling fast or falling behind. What you’ll learn in today’s show: The expert playbook for running a self storage facility from scratch  Our complete self storage tech stack that you can use at your facility, too How to track competitors and ensure you’re pricing right in your market  Remote self storage investing? You can do it if you have these tools  Which “tech” is not worth the investment and won’t make you more money  How to join a bigger self storage “brand” with all the benefits  — Join the Self Storage Income Community    Software Mentioned in Today’s Show:  TractIQ  NowMetrics  Tenant Inc.  XPS Solutions  Patchwork Labs Storelocal  Nokē Smart Entry Ai Lean Veritec Solutions 

The self storage industry is often described as one of the safest asset classes in commercial real estate. Low default rates. Recession-proof demand. An industry that rarely goes out of business. Only a fraction of a percentage of owners ever get foreclosed on.   That story is a lie.   You’ve heard it before. You’ve probably said it to other investors, your friends, and family when they ask you why you own a self storage facility or why you want to own one.    This is not reality—and today, I’m going to show you proof that the self storage industry is riskier than investors could ever imagine. Why would I say this as someone who owns hundreds of millions in self storage? Because where there’s risk, there’s opportunity, and in 2026, the “perceived” risk is higher than ever—and so is the opportunity.   This is the biggest lie in the self storage industry, and if you believe it, even for a second, you’ll get caught buying at the worst times and sitting on the sidelines during the best. This is how I was able to buy millions in undervalued assets after 2008—and in 2026, I’m doing it all over again.     What you’ll learn in today’s show: The #1 lie in the self storage industry that is costing investors millions How I’m buying majorly discounted self storage facilities in 2026  The self storage facilities that are at the greatest risk right now and need a buyer to save them  How I predicted the self storage bubble that finally burst in 2023 The “wealth explosion” that self storage investors can expect (it won’t last)   —  Grab AJ’s Book, Growing Wealth in Self-Storage 2.0 https://www.selfstorageincome.com/book   Storage vs Multifamily: Which Investment Is ACTUALLY Safer? https://youtu.be/zwBfETBkLhU?si=xbN2w_JeS4e4BRLK   The Self Storage Bubble Bust... https://www.selfstorageincome.com/blog/the-self-storage-bubble-bust 

Is your self storage business bleeding money? Most facilities are. For every investor who’s actually building wealth with self storage, there’s another investor down the road who checks in once a month or neglects their property entirely. And if you’re acquiring one of these facilities, you have a unique opportunity to improve it on day one. Unlike investing in the stock market, where the business’s performance is beyond your control, self storage has dozens of levers you can pull to master operations, increase revenue, and ultimately, make more money. In this episode, Conner and George get into the weeds of running a profitable self storage business. We cover everything from hiring the right employees and leveraging the latest technology to fine-tuning standard operating procedures (SOPs) and implementing checks and balances that will prevent things from slipping through the cracks. These seemingly “small” adjustments can have a profound impact on your bottom line. And when you start viewing your self storage facility as both an investment and a business, that’s when things really start to get fun.   What you’ll learn in today’s show:   How to run your self storage business like a pro (and make more money) Practical ways to improve self storage operations and increase revenue Building out systems and processes that help streamline mundane tasks The essential checklist for staying on top of property maintenance Why “small” adjustments often have an enormous impact on cap rates The most common mistakes that “bad” self storage investors make — Storelocal - https://www.storelocal.com/  How to Win Friends and Influence People - https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034   

An entire generation is disappearing, and it’s going to shake more than just the self storage industry. For years, we’ve been hearing about a “silver tsunami,” when baby boomers leave the workforce and start passing on their assets to the next generation of investors. But there’s another layer to this that people aren’t talking about, and it’s going to create a ripple effect throughout the U.S. economy: Baby boomers aren’t just retiring. They’re starting to pass away. By 2035, we’ll have witnessed an unprecedented handover of not just residential real estate but also self storage facilities. Now is one of the best times to invest in self storage because the facilities that are hitting the market are small, mom-and-pop operations that you can buy at a much lower basis than in years past. These unique buying opportunities, combined with institutional-level technology that is finally in the hands of everyday investors looking to increase revenue, could usher us into a new “golden age” for self storage. What you’ll learn in today’s show: The huge “wave” of mom-and-pop facilities that is about to hit the market Why the next 5-10 years will be one of the best times to invest in self storage The three biggest deal-killers that could derail your self storage investment How baby boomers retiring (and passing away) will reshape the U.S. economy Using dynamic pricing to boost your self storage facility’s revenue 🌳 Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/ 🎙️ Do you have a great story to share on the podcast? You can now apply here! https://form.asana.com/?k=TGU88eU0bFTFW1iHcckuTA&d=1203571084143207 📖 Get AJ's book that teaches you everything he knows about self-storage https://a.co/d/aRSKcSq 

Self storage is boring. You rent out metal boxes, tenants pay you to use them, and hopefully, you make a profit. But today’s guest is turning it into one of the most exciting asset classes with technology that streamlines operations and improves the customer experience in ways that weren’t possible until now. The best part? Investors are slashing their overhead costs by up to 10%, giving them a new competitive advantage when analyzing and buying self storage facilities. Today, Conner and George sit down with Tyler Harper from Patchwork Labs to discuss how he’s leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) within his self storage business. Tyler and his team aren’t just software developers. They’re investors who build solutions for their own problems—the same issues all self storage operators deal with day in and day out. With these tools, they’re not only automating self storage and running their business 100% remotely but also scaling at a pace that is unimaginable for most—buying a new facility per week. Tyler shares how these products provide enormous value for smaller operators, how AI is reshaping the self storage industry, and why investors must adapt in 2026 or get left behind. What you’ll learn in today’s show: Self storage tools that help lower overhead costs and boost your bottom line Behind the software Tyler and his team developed specifically for self storage investors How artificial intelligence (AI) is disrupting the self storage industry in 2026 Why smaller investors should target self storage facilities in tertiary markets How to use new technology to improve, automate, and scale your self storage business — Patchwork Labs Try Patchwork Labs’ Conversational Voice AI, AVA: (707) 754-1658 Homegrown Storage

Self storage analysis is a guessing game. Or at least, it was.  But everything has changed. In this episode, Noah Starr, CEO of TractIQ, returns with an announcement that fundamentally changes the way we find and buy self storage deals. For years, an investor’s biggest advantage wasn’t having a ton of capital or mastering operations. It was information. And with everyone being overly protective of their data, the self storage industry was actively killing itself. But not anymore. TractIQ’s latest release puts verified occupancy and financial performance data in the hands of everyday investors—not just the REITs. Having this data available at scale levels the playing field for smaller operators and allows them to make better business decisions across the board. Whether you’re looking to buy your first self storage facility, increase revenue, or hire a property management company, you no longer have to depend on peripheral metrics and projections. The lights are on. We weren’t supposed to have this data for years. But now that it’s here, you have everything you need to take advantage of one of the best times to buy self storage. What you’ll learn in today’s show: How TractIQ’s latest release levels the playing field for smaller investors Finding better self storage deals with new occupancy and financial performance data Why better data creates more opportunity (not competition) in your market Why self storage analysis has largely been a “guessing game” over the last five years How to use competitor data to hire the right property management company — TractIQ Deal for SSI Community Members - https://tractiq.com/special-pricing  TractIQ - https://tractiq.com/  Noah’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-starr 

There’s a strategy that smart investors use to take down multiple self storage deals in a relatively short amount of time, all while “recycling” the cash they initially put into that first deal. Tony McNickle and Dennis Pham used this exact blueprint to buy their first two deals, and it won’t be long before they’ll have built an entire portfolio of cash-flowing self storage facilities. After connecting through our Inner Circle community just a few years ago, Tony and Dennis formed a partnership, combined their capital, and melded their expertise in small business and commercial real estate. It was the perfect pairing, as within a few months, they already had their first deal under contract—a 20,000-square-foot, mom-and-pop facility they were able to improve and stabilize before pulling 150% of their cash back out. Then, with confidence and capital from that first deal, Tony and Dennis took down a much larger, 71,000-square-foot property and plan to repeat the process all over again. In this episode, they walk through both of these deals, discuss the many advantages of partnerships, and share the hybrid management model they’re using to streamline self storage operations while maintaining a personal touch.   What you’ll learn in today’s show: How Tony and Dennis found, bought, and stabilized their self storage facilities “Recycling” 100% (or more) of your capital with a cash-out refinance Supercharging your investments and scaling fast through the power of partnerships Nurturing face-to-face seller relationships to find better self storage deals Simple, high-ROI upgrades to implement within your self storage business — Join the Self Storage Income Community - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/inner-circle  DXT Partners - https://www.dxtpartners.com/ 

2026 could be the biggest year for self storage investors since 2008. What happens starting in 2026, and going all the way through 2030, could change your life forever if you’re in the game.   Read any self storage industry news, and it says the same thing: “Oversupply! Low Demand! Rate Cuts!” But this surface-level story doesn’t show what’s really about to happen. The self storage market is about to undergo a reversal that most operators have never seen. An “explosion” in wealth that will make many owners rich, not only in cash flow but in equity. This isn’t just speculation—I’ve got the data to prove it.   In today’s show, I’m giving you my full 2026 self storage industry outlook, sharing the seven factors that could trigger a ticking time bomb of demand that could explode in the coming years, bringing massive wealth to owners, while many investors will wish they had gotten into self storage earlier.    But not every market will see the same effects. Don’t worry, I’m outlining exactly what’s coming.    What you’ll learn in today’s show:   The wealth “explosion” coming for the self storage industry in 2026 - 2030 One thing that will trigger a new wave of demand for self storage in America  A 2008 repeat? Why we haven’t seen buying opportunities like this in years  A supply squeeze like we’ve never seen: what happens when demand peaks as supply craters? Cap rate compression? This could be your last chance to get severely underpriced deals Markets with the most (and least) opportunity for rising storage demand in 2026 (and beyond)  — Grab AJ’s Newest Book, Growing Wealth in Self-Storage 2.0 - https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Wealth-Self-Storage-2-0-Post-Pandemic/dp/1735258865/  Invest with Cedar Creek Capital - https://cedar.cc/ 

2025 was a pivotal year for the self storage industry—but 2026 is about to be even bigger. We could get opportunities we haven’t seen in 15 years, but the buying window won’t last long. We’re taking full advantage, and in today’s episode, we’re outlining our exact 2026 plan.   We’re ringing in the New Year by sharing what we bought, sold, refinanced, and decided to hold in 2025. In the middle of 2025, things started to change—quickly. We’ve been buying up self storage as fast as we possibly can, because if you knew what we do, you wouldn’t be waiting on the sidelines. Interest rates are gradually falling, Americans are ready to move again, and storage demand could be rising. But sellers…they’re tired. The past few years have been hard, and you can take advantage.   The buying window is wide open, but it won’t last long. And this isn’t just blind faith. I’ll share the facts that tee up 2026 as a crucial year for growing wealth in self storage, plus how small investors can get ahead and build massive wealth once the “explosion” coming for storage starts to count down. And yes, I’ll even share a hint at my 2026 outlook and when I expect opportunities to reach their peak.    What you’ll learn in today’s show: Why 2026 could be the year that self storage “explodes” and demand surges  What we bought, sold, and refinanced in 2025 (and what we’re buying more of in 2026) How long the buying window for self storage deals will last (get on it!) Enormous opportunities for small investors as the Baby Boomer fire sale continues  Can’t find deals? This is precisely what we’re doing to get opportunities sent to us Our 2026 self storage outlook and investing plan for the next year  — Join AJ’s Self Storage Income Community!  - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/inner-circle  Self Storage Income 315 - Self Storage Could Be the Biggest Winner of Lower Interest Rates - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/podcasts/self-storage-income-2/episodes/2149089861 

Imagine walking up to a self storage facility and renting a unit from your phone. Next month, you need to upgrade, and you can do it immediately, again from your phone. When you move out, you schedule a date from your phone and walk away. This is what automated self storage looks like, and if your facility doesn’t sound like this example, you could be in for a big wake-up call.   Alec Peeples from Storeganise saw this in real-time. After living abroad in Asia for 10 years, he saw what true “manless” self storage automation looks like. No full-time managers, just simple move-ins and move-outs for customers. Now, Storeganise works with over 1,500 facilities in more than 50 countries, and Alec gets to see what the future looks like before it gets to the U.S.    In this episode, Alec is breaking down the two things you need to implement to increase your revenue and lower your expenses, how Asian self storage facilities are years ahead of their American counterparts, and the exact tech stack you can start using today to automate your self storage facility, do less, and make more.    What you’ll learn in today’s show: How to automate your self storage facility, even if you’re in a small town or have a small facility  How to increase your profits even when rent raises are getting harder and harder to pull off  What Asian self storage facilities are doing to make it unbelievably easy for customers to move in  No more reserving units? Why many of Alec’s facilities are doing away with reservations altogether  The exact tech stack Alec recommends for self storage operators  — Connect with Alec on LinkedIn! - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alec-peeples/  Storeganise - https://storeganise.com/  Check out this episode on self storage in Brazil! Self Storage Income 263 - The Man Who Taught an Entire Country to Start Using Self Storage - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/podcasts/self-storage-income-2/episodes/2148876376 

The self storage industry has finally bottomed out, and today’s guest believes there are more deals now than ever. He’s seizing the moment and buying self storage facilities left and right because in 18 months, these deals could completely dry up—leaving many wishing they had invested in self storage.   In this episode, Conner and George sit down with Ben Gottfredson, who, just a few years ago, depleted his life savings to build his first self storage facility. Since then, he has started his own private equity fund and scaled his self storage business to 15 facilities. But the truth is that Ben would still be stuck on his second deal if he hadn’t developed soft skills and forged invaluable partnerships that helped him rapidly grow his net worth and create lucrative investing opportunities for many close friends and family members.   Today, he’ll show you how to do just that—build out your network and teams in a way that allows you to grow your portfolio as quickly as possible. Ben also opens up about the blunders he made on past deals, from buying while the market was at its peak to cutting corners when stabilizing his facilities, so you don’t repeat his costly mistakes! What you’ll learn in today’s show:   How Ben has scaled from one to 15 self storage facilities in only a few years Why now is the best buying window the self storage industry has seen in years The top-down and bottom-up approaches to building your self storage business Fast-tracking your investments through education and networking How to scale your portfolio faster with smart investing partnerships “Underrated” soft skills that provide rare self storage investing opportunities — 🔵 Join Inner Circle https://www.selfstorageincome.com/inner-circle  ▶️ Buying Your First Facility in a Small Town w/ Ben Gottfredson | SSI Podcast #217 - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/podcasts/self-storage-income-2/episodes/2148265195  🚛 Big Storage Ventures - https://www.instagram.com/bigstorageventures 

Self storage investing isn’t always smooth sailing, but the market tends to reward those who stay the course. From wild construction-site break-ins to complex newspaper-building conversions, this self storage investor has seen it all—yet he’s still built a multimillion-dollar storage business that supported his family after a health incident took away his main source of income. In today’s episode, AJ and Conner are chatting with Wayde Elliott, founder of StoreIT. When spinal fusion surgery forced him to leave his successful dentistry practice of 20 years, Wayde turned to the only backup plan he had: self storage. Since going all-in, he has scaled to roughly a dozen self storage facilities across California and Oregon. Despite taking on ground-up developments and complex conversion projects, sharp self storage analysis, collaboration, and persistence have helped him carve out his own corner of the market where even REITs struggle to compete. Stay tuned for not only a wealth of sage advice but also one of the most bizarre break-in stories you’ll ever hear—involving secret tunnels, missing cameras, and an exhausting cat-and-mouse chase!   What you’ll learn in today’s show:   The wildest self storage break-in story we’ve ever heard  How Wayde built a self storage portfolio that allowed him to leave his high-paying career The “hack” that helps you dodge rookie mistakes and scale your portfolio faster Blending automation and on-site supervision with the hybrid management model What you must know before tackling a self storage conversion project Why doing “difficult things in difficult times” gives you a competitive advantage — 🔸 StoreIT: https://storeit.com 📸 Wayde’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waydeelliottdmd 🔵 Join Inner Circle: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/inner-circle 🌳 Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/ 🎙️ Do you have a great story to share on the SSI or AJ Osborne podcasts? You can now apply here! https://form.asana.com/?k=TGU88eU0bFTFW1iHcckuTA&d=1203571084143207 📉 Take advantage of today’s market conditions and invest with us: https://cedar.cc/invest 

After one self storage investment, Darren and Jyoti Osten knew they wanted out of residential real estate. They had bought rental properties, a fixer-upper, and an apartment building, but none were as profitable or passive as self storage investing. Now, six years later, they have four self storage facilities and a small, but stable, portfolio that they run from over 1,000 miles away.    When a property manager brought Darren and Jyoti a self storage deal at a time they were tired of the toilets and tenants of rentals, they made the leap. They loved it so much they bought one more, then another, then decided to self-manage, and buy another one. They knew nothing about self storage management from the start, but quickly were able to raise rents, get higher-quality tenants, and do a big self storage expansion on one of their facilities.    Today, they’re sharing the easy moves they made to raise their facilities’ rents, get more revenue, increase security, and fix delinquency. Plus, how they 2x-3x-ed one facility’s value with an expansion project, giving them much higher revenue. You can do this, too, even if you’re working full-time and even if you have no experience.   What you’ll learn in today’s show:   Why you should self-manage your own self storage facilities (makes much more money!) Don’t want to deal with rental properties? Storage might be your best option  Expanding your storage facility and the cost to double the space (plus a 0% down loan to try) Why occupancy is not that important and how to get higher revenue with fewer customers Easy online marketing that any self storage facility can implement to fill up faster     — Juniper Investors - https://juniperinvestors.com/index.html    Join the Self Storage Income Community!  - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/learn 

Financing is a necessary hurdle to clear when buying a self storage facility, and in this market, it’s more crucial than ever to explore all your self storage loan options and get creative when structuring deals. The good news is, you likely have even more negotiating power today than in years past!   In this episode, AJ and Conner are pulling back the curtain and sharing multiple financing strategies you can use to fund your next self storage deal. First, they dig into seller financing and share the three-option approach they use to win over hesitant owners. Then, they discuss Small Business Administration (SBA) loans that, when done right, allow you to put as little as 10% down. They also cover several methods of raising private capital, from pitching opportunities to close friends and family to bringing on a hard money lender.   With these financing strategies, you may not even need the bank to get into a proven asset class like self storage. Once your self storage business is stabilized, follow AJ and Conner’s refinancing tips to lock in great terms on a long-term loan!   What you’ll learn in today’s show: Several ways to fund your next self storage facility (even without the banks) The secret to pitching seller financing as a win-win for both sides Three golden “rules” to follow when structuring a seller financing deal Putting as little as 10% down on a self storage facility with an SBA loan What every investor must know when refinancing into a more “permanent” loan Links:  🌳 Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/ 🎙️ Do you have a great story to share on the SSI or AJ Osborne podcasts? You can now apply here! https://form.asana.com/?k=TGU88eU0bFTFW1iHcckuTA&d=1203571084143207 📖 Get AJ's book that teaches you everything he knows about self-storage https://a.co/d/aRSKcSq 📉 Take advantage of today’s market conditions and invest with us: https://cedar.cc/invest 

This husband and wife skipped rental properties and went straight to self storage investing. They kept hearing the regrets from other investors saying “we wish we scaled faster.” So, why wait to scale to bigger properties when you can just buy them from the start? That’s exactly what Matthew Rojas and Jingwen Ni did, and they have zero regrets.   It took Matthew and Jingwen two years to find the perfect self storage investment. But, the waiting was worth it. They landed a seller financed, completely full, storage facility with 30%-40% room to increase rents. How did it go with the current customers? They’ll share the entire story from finding the first facility to negotiating, raising rents, and automating it with software and smart upgrades.   But they didn’t stop. Now, they have two self storage facilities—the newest being a high cash flow “land lease,” that few storage owners even know is possible. Beginners, this is the repeatable model to follow to get your first, second, or third self storage facility!   What you’ll learn in today’s show:   Why you should skip rental properties and go straight for self storage and commercial real estate  How to get the perfect self storage investments sent to you from brokers and wholesalers  Raising rents by 30%-40% with very few move outs (do what Matthew and Jingwen did!) “Land leasing” self storage facilities for high cash flow and big tax benefits  Why occupancy does not matter in self storage, what you should focus on instead    — Join the Self Storage Income Community  - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/ssi-membership  Go Beyond Properties - https://gobeyondproperties.com/   

You’ve found a self storage deal, but to get to the closing table, you’re also going to need a lender. For many new investors, self storage financing is the most intimidating part of the process, but in this episode, Conner and George will share everything you need to know to get your first or next self storage facility fully funded.   The truth is that self storage is one of the least-defaulting asset classes today, and with one simple but crucial mindset shift, you’ll stop feeling like you’re “asking for money” and start confidently presenting attractive opportunities to banks, partners, and investors. You’ll learn how to speak the lender’s language and the keys to getting approved for a self storage loan.   We’ll also walk you through a checklist of essential documents, tips for analyzing self storage deals, and resources that will connect you with the best lenders. Plus, we’ll show you how to use debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) as a powerful negotiation tool and how to craft a business plan that gives lenders the confidence to partner with you. What you’ll learn in today’s show:   How to find a great lender for your first or next self storage deal Using debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) as a powerful negotiation tool Crafting a business plan that makes your self storage facility stand out Essential documents to have ready when working with a lender Why you should always talk to multiple lenders when funding a deal The massive advantage self storage has over other asset classes   — Learn More About Feasibility Studies - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/feasibility  Email [email protected] to Be Connected to a Lender Self Storage Analysis 101: How to Underwrite a Self Storage Facility - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4u4-OJbhnA  Live Oak Bank - https://www.liveoak.bank/ 

You can live hundreds of miles away from your self storage facility and still run it successfully. Just hear from Bill DeWaal and Korbin Smoot, founders of Better Self Storage. They’ve got 19 facilities across multiple states and run self storage management to perfection with a team of VAs, a director of operations, and without having to fix, overlock, or inspect a single unit.   You can invest from anywhere in the country, or even anywhere in the world, and this is how you do it.   Bill and Korbin are what a solid partnership looks like. Korbin is chasing deals while Bill is making sure the facilities make sense. Their formula clearly works, as now they have 19 facilities and are experts in self storage remote management. Plus, they’ll share what a great partner looks like, so you don’t get into the self storage business with a bad actor.   Don’t know what to buy when sellers are still asking too much, but the numbers won’t budge? Bill and Korbin define their buy box for small, scalable remote facilities, and how they easily increased revenue by 300% at one facility, and the impressive outsourcing they do so these two can focus on building their portfolio, not managing units. Plus, underwriting (analysis) tweaks they’ve made to ensure they’re getting a deal, not a dud, and how to compete with the REITs who drop prices fast and furiously.    What you’ll learn in today’s show:   What makes a great self storage partnership, and how to find someone who plays off of your strengths Remote managing a sizable self storage investment portfolio (it’s more than possible) How to use virtual assistants (VAs) to clear hours of work off your plate every day The real reason you want to buy multiple facilities in the same market (so much less work) Bill and Korbin’s buy box for small, but seriously profitable, self storage facilities  Setting your self storage rates when the big facilities around the block are offering fire sales   — Join AJ’s Self Storage Income Inner Circle - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/inner-circle  Better Self Storage - https://www.betterselfstorage.com/  Korbin's Contact Information: [email protected], 801-505-2334 Bill’s Contact Information: 801-910-0594 __ 🌳 Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! We seriously love them. https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/  📑 Our Self-Storage Feasibility Studies will help you speed up the process in understanding markets, potential risks, and analyzing the facility itself.  https://cedar.cc/feasibility-studies/  📖 Sign up for Our Weekly Newsletter: https://ajosborne.com/newsletter

You’re about to make an offer on a self storage investment. You’ll need two things: an LOI (letter of intent) and a PSA (purchase and sale agreement). You may need to use one or the other or both, depending on your situation, but not having these two contracts could be stopping you from getting your first or next deal done.    Today, AJ and Conner explain precisely what a PSA and LOI in real estate are, the key difference between these two crucial contracts, and how to use them to make offers on facilities that owners can’t ignore. This is how the pros get self storage deals done. No verbal offers. No handshakes. This is when it gets legit.   You found a self storage investment you like…what do you do now? Do you use an LOI vs. PSA first in commercial real estate? We’ll walk through which contract to use when, what to include in an LOI and PSA, the contingencies to add that ensure a seller can’t wrongfully back out, and why you always negotiate with the seller before you get one of these signed.   The next time you and a seller sign these agreements, you’ll be on your way to your next self storage deal.   What you’ll learn in today’s show:   What an LOI and PSA are in real estate (and when to use each of them) What to include in your initial offer to a seller (timeline, price, contingencies, and more) The one contract that stops a seller from coming back to you to ask for more Why you always negotiate with a seller before you sign one of these contracts  Seller not responding? What to send them to show that you’re a legit buyer  Sign Up for My Newsletter Here:  https://ajosborne.com/newsletter 🌳 Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! We seriously love them. https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/ 📑 Our Self-Storage Feasibility Studies will help you speed up the process in understanding markets, potential risks, and analyzing the facility itself.  https://cedar.cc/feasibility-studies/

This is the biggest opportunity in self storage since 2008. Last time we were at this stage in the cycle, I was on the cusp of building a $100M+ self storage business. I bought when conditions were almost identical to what we’re seeing today, and now, I’m gearing up to buy even more. But here’s the best part: beginners can get in on this, too. Today, I’m showing you how.   This could be your $100M opportunity if you know what’s coming down the pipeline.    Things are getting eerily similar to the situation after the Great Financial Crisis (2008). Interest rates are coming down, housing activity is going up, cap rates are compressing, and occupancy rates may be ready to rise again. This was almost exactly how conditions were in the early 2010s when I was heavily building my self storage business. Don’t believe me? I’ll prove it with data in this episode.   We’re buying now—and we’re buying a lot. If you’re debating investing in self storage or growing your portfolio, this episode will be crucial for you. I’m putting my money where my mouth is, investing millions of my own capital to grow my portfolio.    Do not miss this stage of the cycle.    What you’ll learn in today’s show: Why 2025 may be mirroring the aftermath of the 2008 Great Financial Crisis  The best time to buy in 20 years? I’ll prove why it could be 2025 and 2026  A $10M bet I’m making on self storage investments (I’ll explain why I’m bullish) The massive discounts we’re seeing in the market (we’re buying at 2015 prices) Where we’re buying self storage facilities and states/areas we feel confident in   Learn more about Heritage Fund investment opportunities:  https://go.cedar.cc/faq    https://go.cedar.cc/welcome *Accredited investors only. Limited capacity.*

What happens when interest rates spike, self storage demand dips, and REITs start a race to the bottom with rent prices? You’ve got the current state of the self storage industry, with shifting market dynamics that have made things difficult for smaller investors over the last few years. The question now is, where do we go from here?   Interest rates have had a ripple effect throughout the self storage industry, leaving smaller investors wondering how they can build wealth with self storage investing while REITs and private equity have a stranglehold on many major markets. AJ, Travis Morrow, and Lance Watkins break it all down in a session from this year’s SSI Live Event. There’s reason for optimism heading into 2026 and beyond, but investors will need to adapt to major changes if they want to coexist with the bigger players.   Savvy market analysis is more crucial now than ever, and adopting technology is no longer optional—even if you’re investing in rural areas. Fortunately, everyday investors now have access to data that wasn’t available to them just a few years ago. Whether you’re developing or buying self storage facilities, these insights will help shape your strategy going forward and give you an edge in your market! What you’ll learn in today’s show: How to compete with institutional investors (REITs) charging rock-bottom rates Why investors must analyze self storage deals more conservatively in 2026 How technology is transforming self storage (and how you could get left behind) The massive opportunities small investors have in secondary and tertiary markets Strategies that will help you determine whether to invest in a new market How rising interest rates created a “ripple effect” throughout the self storage industry — Tract IQ: https://tractiq.com/ 🌳 Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! We seriously love them. https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/

Today’s guests bought six self storage facilities in just four years, all while working full-time jobs, and during a time of rising interest rates. They had zero experience, no self storage background, and have only used their own money. How did they grow so quickly, and what’s the secret to scaling your self storage business? These are the bootstrapped self storage investors to hear from.   In 2020, self storage investments weren’t on Nick and Steven May’s radar. But after hearing an episode of this podcast, they decided it might be their next great opportunity. Luckily, a small vacation market two hours south of them had old, poorly-reviewed facilities around. So they did what everyone with little experience and a desire to invest should do: started calling owners without expectations. One owner was willing to sell, and the ball started rolling.   Fast forward four years from their first purchase, and Nick and Steven have six facilities, all in the same market. They’ve gotten better at negotiating, underwriting self storage, and running their business. How did two guys scale to 150,000+ square feet in self storage space without any prior experience? Today, they’re sharing exactly how they did it.    What you’ll learn in today’s show:   How to build your self storage business even while working full-time, even with no experience  Why waiting out stubborn sellers is worth it (and why you always submit an offer) The basic tweaks you can make to turn an underperforming facility into an over-performing one  Investing in self storage with high interest rates (why it still works in 2025) The secret to scaling your storage portfolio while working a full-time job  Where to find more   📷 Steven’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenmay_realestate/   🚣 Lake of the Ozarks Self Storage: https://lakeoftheozarksselfstorage.com/ 🌳 Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! We seriously love them. https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/   📑 Our Self-Storage Feasibility Studies will help you speed up the process in understanding markets, potential risks, and analyzing the facility itself.  https://cedar.cc/feasibility-studies/  📚 Get my FREE self storage starter pack to learn how to analyze, underwrite, and operate your next storage investment: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/start-podcast  📰 Sign Up for My Newsletter Here:  https://ajosborne.com/newsletter   

How do you know your first or next self storage investment is worth the money?    This is how you do self storage analysis in six steps, even if you’ve never invested in storage before. With the most basic of numbers, you can analyze a self storage facility to see if it’s a worthwhile deal. And you don’t need any experience in commercial real estate or self storage underwriting models to do these calculations—you just need some time.   We’ll take you all the way from defining your “buy box” (know what you want to buy) to estimating expenses and revenue, running the numbers, and the extra “margin” we add in every single self storage deal to ensure it’ll be profitable.   Plus, what a good self storage investment looks like and how to secretly get your competitors’ rent prices so you’ll know just how much your facility can bring in.   Your first or next self storage deal is close—let’s make sure it’s a home run!   What you’ll learn in today’s show: How to analyze a self storage facility from scratch, even if you have no prior experience The secret way to know your competitors’ pricing and how occupied they are  Why you must design your “buy box” before you analyze a single storage deal When to go from quick to full underwriting vs. pass on a so-so deal  The two biggest self storage expenses that you cannot ignore (or you’ll get burned!)    🌳 Live Oak Bank: https://www.liveoak.bank/      📉 TractIQ: https://tractiq.com/     📑 Our Self-Storage Feasibility Studies will help you speed up the process in understanding markets, potential risks, and analyzing the facility itself. https://cedar.cc/feasibility-studies/   📖 Get AJ's book that teaches you everything he knows about self-storage https://a.co/d/aRSKcSq 📉 Take advantage of today’s market conditions and invest with us: https://cedar.cc/invest 

This is the biggest thing to happen to the self storage industry in years.    Last week, the Fed made their much-anticipated decision to cut rates. In the weeks leading up to the decision, interest rates fell sharply, reigniting the homebuying process for hundreds of thousands of Americans sitting on the sidelines. Rate cuts and mortgage rate declines will have momentous effects on the self storage market, and, I believe, will usher in a new cycle for self storage investing and wealth creation.   We, up until recently, have been going through a self storage recession. What most self storage investors don’t know is that some 40% of our customers come from moving alone. Raise interest rates, stop home purchases, and you cut off the lifeblood of the storage business. But now, that’s changing—and it’s changing in a major way.   In this episode, I’m going to explain why the Fed made their decision now (and whether they were too late), what lower interest rates mean for the self storage industry as a whole and your facility’s occupancy, and what I’m doing to prepare for this next cycle.   This is going to be HUGE.   What you’ll learn in today’s show: Interest rate update and the Fed’s recent decision to (finally) cut rates  What happens to self storage when rates fall (even by a small margin) How lower interest rates could bring back rent increases for storage facilities  My investing plan if rates continue to trend downward  Why the Fed changed their tone and what their new verbiage means  — Sign Up for the Self Storage Income Newsletter! - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/  📑 Our Self-Storage Feasibility Studies will help you speed up the process in understanding markets, potential risks, and analyzing the facility itself.  https://cedar.cc/feasibility-studies/ 

This one small-town storage facility has made today’s guest over $500,000. And if you’re interested in buying your first storage facility, there’s no better inspiration than this. With one self storage investment, Braedon Haertling has added another 9-5-sized income stream and increased value by close to $1,000,000, all while working a full-time job. He had no experience, but a lot of drive, and didn’t do anything you can’t.   Braedon tried the rental property route, but scaling to 100+ doors didn’t seem like the best bet. Why buy 100 rentals when investing in storage units can get you to 100 doors with just one purchase? Thankfully, Braedon knew of someone who may be too busy to run their storage facility anymore. He gave them a call, scored a $0-down self storage facility, and the rest is history.    Got a 9-5? You can invest in self storage. Got kids and a family to take care of? You can invest in self storage. Think you need to know everything before getting your first facility? You couldn’t be more wrong. Thanks to simply taking action, Braedon now has a six-figure-producing self storage investment, $500,000+ in equity, and is hungry for his next deal!   What you’ll learn in today’s show: How to use the “seller carry” strategy to buy a self storage facility for $0 down Creating massive value ($1,000,000!) with simple improvements to your storage facility  Is your town too small for self storage? How Braedon gets 90%+ occupancy in a 3,200-person town  One big mistake Braedon made, but later turned it into a substantial payday  Why you should NOT quit your job to invest in self storage (unless…) — Grab AJ’s Book, _Growing Wealth in Self-Storage 2.0_: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/book  Braedon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestoragemat/ Braedon’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thestoragemat 🌳 Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/ 📑 Our Self-Storage Feasibility Studies will help you speed up the process in understanding markets, potential risks, and analyzing the facility itself. https://cedar.cc/feasibility-studies/ 

Buying a storage facility? Make sure you spot any of these 12 self storage investing red flags. If you’re able to avoid them successfully, you could be buying a killer next investment, with high occupancy, high rates, and steady cash flow. After investing in dozens of self storage facilities, with millions of rentable square feet, we’ve nailed down the 12 deadly self storage red flags that can prevent a facility from taking off.  There are two types of red flags: the ones you can fix, and the ones you can’t. The fixable ones might mean you have a serious opportunity within your market, and you can flip that red flag to a green one. The unfixable red flags…that’s another story. Don’t worry, we’re going to spell out each so you know which red flags to run from, and which could make you money.  We’re talking about red flags like: declining populations, too much supply, high vacancy, weak local economics, poor visibility (online and on the street!), and more. Do you think you know which you can fix? Think again, we’re giving you the exact list of self storage red flags.  What you’ll learn in today’s show: The 12 self storage investing red flags every investor should be aware of  Is a declining population always a bad thing for storage? How to stop your competitors from building near you and boosting supply The “secret” way to find out how occupied other facilities are in the area  How much should your self storage customers make? We’ll share the perfect income range  Which red flags can be flipped to green flags so you can profit! — Register Now for SSI Live - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/live-event  Get 1-on-1 Coaching from Conner! - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/coaching   Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/ Do you have a great story to share on the SSI or AJ Osborne podcasts? You can now apply here! https://form.asana.com/?k=TGU88eU0bFTFW1iHcckuTA&d=1203571084143207 Get AJ's book that teaches you everything he knows about self-storage https://a.co/d/aRSKcSq Take advantage of today’s market conditions and invest with us: https://cedar.cc/invest 

The final wave of wealth creation in self storage is here. After this, smaller investors will have a very tough time breaking into the industry.   I already missed out on the first wave, but successfully rode the second. Now, the self storage swell is starting again, but this time, small, medium, and large self storage investors will all benefit. Are you ready to ride? I’ve been investing in self storage for two decades. I bought during the crash when everyone said I was crazy, called the self storage bubble before it ballooned, and am now warning you about the new “wave” of wealth coming for self storage. Many mom-and-pop storage facilities have already been bought up during the second wave, taking us from 90% small investors in the market to only 50%. That number is shrinking every day, and your first or next self storage investment is being bought up.   How do you get in the game so you can profit heavily from what’s to come? I’m giving you the complete game plan, outlining the first two “waves,” how to take advantage of the third one coming, and even sharing a free resource you can use to get in the know before 99% of other investors. Self storage investors could be wealthier than ever before, but if you don’t own, you won’t catch the wave.   What you’ll learn in today’s show: The final wave of self storage wealth that’s coming very soon  The old vs. new self storage model and how to create wealth with a small or struggling facility  How to run your storage facility like a business (and make it worth much more) Why “consolidation” is coming, and only owners will profit from the change  The new technology that is about to change self storage investing forever   — We’ll be hosting a live webinar in September diving into how AI is changing the self-storage industry. Make sure you don’t miss it—sign up for our newsletter today and you’ll be the first to get the official date and registration link! https://ajosborne.com/newsletter  Register for the Self Storage Income Live Event: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/live-event Grab AJ’s Book https://www.selfstorageincome.com/book  NowMetrics https://nowmetrics.co/ 

With so many investment options—single-family homes, duplexes, the stock market—it’s easy to overlook self storage. But the truth is that a self storage facility is one of the best first investments, and you’re about to find out why. Whether you’re just starting your investing journey or looking to diversify your portfolio, storage could be a supercharger for your wealth.    In this episode, AJ and Conner break down why you don’t need to “work your way up” to self storage investing. What if we told you that these facilities offer better cash flow, more tenant diversification, and even lower barriers to entry in many cases—all for the same cost as a regular rental property? Even better: tenants aren’t calling you about backed-up toilets in the middle of the night!   Self storage is one of the lowest-defaulting assets in the US, meaning it’s much more profitable and less risky than you probably think. We get into the advantages these facilities have over residential real estate, as well as how direct investments compare to public markets (like stocks). We’ll also discuss the massive value-add opportunities that institutional investors are leaving to you, the small investor!   What you’ll learn in today’s show: Why a self storage facility is one of the best first investments in 2025 How to buy a self storage facility for even less money than a single-family home Why self storage gives you higher returns with less risk than many other investments The small, value-add facilities institutional investors overlook (and leave to you!) The most common fears and myths about self storage investing (debunked!) — Register Now for SSI Live https://www.selfstorageincome.com/live-event  🌳 Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/

Today we’re giving a complete financial walkthrough of our newest self storage investment. From purchase price to rental income, return numbers, and how we’re funding it, this is a complete breakdown of a facility that could very well be bringing in $1,000,000/year in the near future. This was not only a deal but a steal, and proves that there are profitable facilities in the market just waiting to be bought up.   But this storage investment is a little special. We’re not just acquiring a facility, upgrading it, and waiting for the rents to roll in. We’re expanding on this self storage investment, adding over 200 units to an already profitable investment. The best part? We’re planning to massively increase not only the cash flow, but the tax benefits by doing so, allowing us to cash-out a substantial tax-free sum in the next few years.   This facility is in what we call a “Goldilocks Zone.” There are hundreds of markets around the country that are stuck in these sweet spots that YOU can be buying in right now. Want to see how we conservatively underwrite self storage deals so they’re primed to overperform? We’re sharing all the numbers (and our methods) in this episode!   What you’ll learn in today’s show:   Our plan to increase this facility’s revenue by hundreds of thousands The “Goldilocks” markets that every self storage investor should be looking into How we underwrite and analyze self storage investments (conservatively) The massive tax incentive for investors to build new units and expand their properties  The solid returns we’ll make WITHOUT factoring in market appreciation Register for the Self Storage Income Live Event: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/live-event Get our FREE self storage starter pack to learn how to analyze, underwrite, and operate your next storage investment: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/youtube Self Storage Demand 101: Know WHAT to Buy (Full Guide): https://youtu.be/5GYZbRXkODk?si=ihzn_Qnn26r_C4yj 🌳 Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/ 📖 Get AJ's book that teaches you everything he knows about self-storage https://a.co/d/aRSKcSq 📉 Take advantage of today’s market conditions and invest with us: https://cedar.cc/invest 

Self storage demand—quite frankly, the most important factor when buying a self storage facility. Get it wrong, and you could lose tens or even hundreds of thousands when you sell. Get it right, and you’ve got cash flow, huge value-add potential, and the formula for a winning facility. This is the make-or-break of self storage, and even the newest investors can get rich with strong enough demand, while experienced investors can go broke getting it wrong.   So, you’re about to buy your first or next self storage facility—how do you measure demand before you buy? How do you tell what nearby facilities are charging and how full they are, and whether they’re even your competition? Today, we’re giving you a complete guide to self storage demand.   We’ll teach you how to measure your local demand and even predict future demand so you don’t buy in a declining market. Plus, who is the “ideal customer” for your storage facility? Other units in the area may not serve them, allowing you to fill a gap in the market. This is crucial for self storage investing, and we’ve already made the mistakes, so you don’t have to.    What you’ll learn in today’s show:   How to estimate current demand (and future demand) in your self storage market Why occupancy doesn’t matter and how you can still get high revenue with vacancy  Why square footage per capita measurements are often wrong (and can throw you off track) The customers who need self storage the most and don’t have enough space Pinpointing your “ideal customer” so you can target them better than your competitors  Buying in a declining or small market? Get this right before you buy  — Check out this previous episode: SSI 259. Turning Apartment Storage Lockers into Full-Blown “Micro” Storage Facilities https://www.selfstorageincome.com/podcasts/self-storage-income-2/episodes/2148839451  Get my FREE self storage starter pack to learn how to analyze, underwrite, and operate your next storage investment: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/start-podcast  Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/  Take advantage of today’s market conditions and invest with us: https://cedar.cc/invest  Sign Up for My Newsletter Here: https://ajosborne.com/newsletter    

Investing in small self storage facilities is how almost everyone gets started. It’s where we began investing and probably where you did (or will), too. But sometimes small is a little too small. With too few doors, your expenses can quickly outweigh your revenue. Too big and you need to hire a manager. What’s the “sweet spot” in square footage that makes a great beginner self storage investment that’s easy to automate? We’re sharing it today.   Did you know that, even after investing hundreds of millions in self-storage, we still buy small facilities? It’s true. But, because we own so many, we know the pitfalls of running one, and how to automate it so you can work less—without hiring a full-time manager. How much do these facilities usually cost? What’s their profit and expense ratios? And what tech do we use to let customers rent without a single interaction from us?   If you’re about to buy, or currently own, a small self storage facility, this is your guide to running it right. Plus, if you’re a new investor, we have some cash flow tips that could save you when onboarding a new facility and all those expenses hit you at once—while you’re also chasing down rent payments. This could save your sanity next time you buy a small facility!   What you’ll learn in today’s show: The square footage “sweet spot” that is big enough to profit but small enough to automate  Why you should always (ALWAYS) look into a line of credit before closing on a facility  The different types of hidden costs you’ll incur once you buy a self storage facility  How small is too small (it’s NOT worth the investment) The actual expense ratio of a small self storage facility (it’s not what you think)     Get my FREE self storage starter pack to learn how to analyze, underwrite, and operate your next storage investment: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/start-podcast  🌳 Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/  🎙️ Do you have a great story to share on the SSI or AJ Osborne podcasts? You can now apply here! https://form.asana.com/?k=TGU88eU0bFTFW1iHcckuTA&d=1203571084143207 📉 Take advantage of today’s market conditions and invest with us: https://cedar.cc/invest   

The self storage industry is changing once again. A new cycle has already emerged, and we’re back to a familiar era of lower occupancy—but with it come better deals to be found. The market is drastically different from when we first started in the 2000s. Still, whether you’re a brand-new self storage investor or a massive private equity firm, the fundamentals remain the same.  AJ and Conner are walking through the evolution of our self storage business. From a couple of partners and a few small facilities to hundreds of employees and huge self storage projects. We scaled from nothing to over $300M in self storage, but the processes we used can be applied and repeated even by the smallest operator!  We’ll reveal the business “ecosystem” that makes up our self storage holdings, how self storage is changing, what’s coming down the pipeline, and answer YOUR questions on the show with topics like how to lease-up fast, uncover competitor occupancy rates, and get financing. For more on finding, buying, and running storage facilities, check out AJ’s new book Growing Wealth in Self-Storage 2.0.  What you’ll learn in today’s show: The new stage of the self storage cycle we’re entering Buying opportunities as many ill-prepared self storage investors leave the market  The “ecosystem” of a successful self storage business (what we’re doing) How to raise occupancy at your self storage facility, even if it’s brand new Why we always “secret shop” at other self storage facilities before we build/buy  🌳 Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/  🎙️ Do you have a great story to share on the SSI or AJ Osborne podcasts? You can now apply here! https://form.asana.com/?k=TGU88eU0bFTFW1iHcckuTA&d=1203571084143207 📉 Take advantage of today’s market conditions and invest with us: https://cedar.cc/invest   

What goes into a self storage development deal? You’re about to find out! Today, we’re breaking down the first self storage facility we ever built—everything from the property’s financials and the construction timeline to how we ultimately turned a $4.3-million project into a $13-million self storage business that generates over $350,000 in annual cash flow!   In this episode, AJ and George will show you how to take an initial concept and turn it into a fully stabilized self storage facility, step by step. The truth is that many developers approach self storage from the wrong angle, so we’ll show you what to focus on before getting started—like narrowing down your target customer and building with them in mind to the dangers of cutting corners on quality and focusing more on upfront costs than revenue potential.   But that’s not all. We’ll also share some of the things we wish we knew before building our first facility and the biggest lessons learned that saved us thousands on future projects. Whether you’re curious about the development side of the self storage industry or seriously considering your own development project, you don’t want to miss this one! What you’ll learn in today’s show: The step-by-step process of developing a self storage facility from scratch How we turned a $4.3M facility into a $13M+ business A complete breakdown of the self storage development timeline How to build a self storage facility that attracts premium customers Creating a competitive edge without low rent prices or cheap construction Why investing more money upfront leads to higher rents and less risk   Helpful Articles:  https://www.selfstorageincome.com/blog/10-crucial-tips-when-running-a-self-storage-business  https://www.selfstorageincome.com/blog/the-keys-to-stabilizing-a-self-storage-facility-don-t-miss-these  https://www.selfstorageincome.com/blog/the-self-storage-industry-a-brief-overview  🌳 Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! We seriously love them. https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/

Want to increase revenue at your self storage facility? Want tenants who will stay the longest and pay the highest rents? Today’s guest owns over 20 self storage facilities and has managed more than 100. He’s so good at what he does that we’ve even brought him on to help with our bigger facilities. In this episode, he shares his playbook for attracting the best self storage customers—and raising rents on tenants least likely to leave.  Kenny Pratt has over two decades of experience in commercial real estate. He was the Director of Operations at LifeStorage, responsible for maximizing income growth. He knows the secrets of the REITs and proved it by starting from scratch with Crescendo Properties and Crescendo Self Storage Management. Now, he owns 25 self storage facilities and runs all of them successfully, even with REITs nearby. What’s the optimal self storage customer? How do you get tenants to stay for longer? What are the “pain points” you can solve immediately to increase occupancy and revenue? And why should you never let your facility manager be the one making the sales? Kenny shares two decades of self storage secrets to put you on the financial freedom fast track with your portfolio!    What you’ll learn in today’s show:   Secrets that BIG facilities use to know who to raise rates on  The “rate lock” strategy that keeps customers renting for longer  The optimal self storage customer that will pay more and stay for years  A common “pain point” you can solve to get even more rentals at your facility  Creative financing is back! How Kenny is picking up self storage facilities in today’s market  Why you should NOT have your facility manager be in charge of sales  — Crescendo Self Storage Management - https://propertymanagement.storage/  Kenny’s LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennypratt/  Reset: How to Change What's Not Working - https://www.amazon.com/Reset-How-Change-Whats-Working/dp/1668062097  Want to increase revenue at your self storage facility? - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/blog/how-to-increase-revenue-in-self-storage-investing 

Want to know how to value a self storage facility? Stick around and we’ll show you! In this episode, seasoned appraiser Tim Garey breaks down the entire valuation process—and shows you how to get the right valuation. With more than twenty years of experience, Tim oversees a team of thirty appraisers nationwide at Cushman & Wakefield’s Self Storage Advisory Group. He has appraised all types of properties, from shopping centers and golf courses to industrial buildings and, of course, self storage facilities. In this episode, Tim will share how and why he got into the self storage industry before walking you through the entire appraisal process, step-by-step. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, Tim offers all kinds of helpful tips for working with appraisers—like the types of information you need to provide to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible and why it’s in your best interest to build a relationship with your appraiser. But that’s not all. He’ll also share why ordering your own appraisal could hurt your deal, and why self storage has seen a recent influx of private money! What you’ll learn in today’s show: How the self storage appraisal process works (step-by-step!) Why a property’s sale price and market value don’t always align What you must do to get the right valuation for your self storage facility Why more private money is moving into the self storage industry What you need to know before ordering your own appraisal Why it’s always in your best interest to cooperate with appraisers — Cushman & Wakefield Email Tim: [email protected] Make self storage management easier than EVER with our podcast sponsor Tenant Inc. - https://www.tenantinc.com/  🎙️ Do you have a great story to share on the SSI or AJ Osborne podcasts? You can now apply here! https://form.asana.com/?k=TGU88eU0bFTFW1iHcckuTA&d=1203571084143207  📖 Get AJ's new book that teaches you everything he knows about self-storage https://a.co/d/aRSKcSq  📉 Take advantage of today’s market conditions and invest with us: https://cedar.cc/invest 

Building a storage facility may be easier now than it has been in the past five years. With so much of the competition out of the market, top-tier building companies are completing projects faster. And with higher tariffs on pause, now may be one of the best times to lock in pricing before they rise again. But maybe this is your first storage facility construction project or your first facility in general. What should you know BEFORE you start in 2025?    We brought Forge Building Company, the experts in self storage development, back on the show to give a 2025 update. They’re sharing the biggest opportunities for building in the 2025 market, the pitfalls that only experienced developers know to avoid, how to get your project passed by the city, and what’s happened to material costs since the latest round of tariffs.    Development demand has shrunk by a whopping 20% - 30%, so this could be the perfect time to get into the game before rates drop and demand skyrockets back up. Plus, Hamish Bell and Melissa Anderson from Forge even share the new types of “space” modern self storage facilities are adding to increase revenue AND make the city happy.    What you’ll learn in today’s show: Why the drop-off in self storage development demand could be a good thing for investors  Build now or wait? How to decide when tariffs could boomerang back  Signs that a self storage market is worth building a new facility in  How to get your plans approved by the city and get your inspection passed  Choosing the right unit types for YOUR specific market (do NOT blindly divide your unit mix) —   Attend the Self Storage Income Live Event!  https://www.selfstorageincome.com/live-event    Forging Ahead: Construction Resilience and Opportunity in 2025 - https://forgebuildings.com/forging-ahead-construction-resilience-and-opportunity-in-2025/    Forge Building Company - https://forgebuildings.com/    Interested in Building? Email: [email protected]    📌 Make self storage management easier than EVER with our podcast sponsor Tenant Inc. - https://www.tenantinc.com/ 🎙️ Do you have a great story to share on the SSI podcast? You can now apply here! https://form.asana.com/?k=TGU88eU0bFTFW1iHcckuTA&d=1203571084143207 📖 Get AJ's book that teaches you everything he knows about self-storage https://a.co/d/aRSKcSq 📉 Learn about our current investment opportunities at Cedar Creek Capital: https://cedar.cc/invest 

Want to invest in self storage but feel like you're on an island? You don’t have to do this alone. Whether you’re buying your first self storage facility or looking to scale your portfolio fast, we have tools, resources, and, most importantly, a community to tap into—stick around and we’ll show you how to find everything you need!  In today’s episode, Conner and George share what Self Storage Income is all about: community, action, and growth. We dive into how the Inner Circle was born and how it has evolved into a one-stop shop for investors looking to fast-track their success. Complete with bookkeeping, virtual assistants (VAs), feasibility studies, coaching, and connections to self storage loans, deals, and brokers, this level of access is the game-changer most investors miss! Huge changes are coming to the self storage industry. Large operators are buying up mom-and-pop facilities, and the window of opportunity is shrinking fast. If you want the secrets to finding, funding, and running a profitable self storage business in 2025, you won’t want to miss this one!   What you’ll learn in today’s show:   Fast-tracking your self storage journey through the power of community Unlocking consistent deal flow through the industry’s “one-stop shop” The easiest way to find brokers and lenders for your next self storage deal Scaling your portfolio fast with access to top industry connections Real self storage success stories from investors just like YOU — Schedule a Call with Our Team - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/learn    Need Money? How to Buy a Self Storage Deal with Partners (ep 293) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYlCTzQQykg 

Occupancy is often regarded as one of the most crucial metrics for self storage operators—but that’s a mistake. While we’d love for our facilities to be 100% full with the highest-paying customers in the area, this is rarely the case. In fact, higher self storage occupancy rates could be slowly killing your facility, making you less money and lowering your facility’s value by tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Jonah Hall, President and CIO of Cedar Creek Capital, knows (arguably) more about self storage occupancy than anyone in the industry. He’s the reason why while occupancy rates were dropping over the past few months, our income was going UP. That’s right, fewer customers, fewer storage rentals, and more revenue. How is that even possible? If you own a self storage facility or are planning on buying one, this is crucial information that could help you earn tens of thousands more every year. We’re talking about how to raise rents even when occupancy is low (and not lose customers), the biggest mistakes we made when taking over facilities, and the different types of “occupancy” plus which you should pay attention to most. We’ve tested these strategies across dozens of facilities, so you don’t have to. What you’ll learn in today’s show: Why occupancy rates don’t matter nearly as much as you think they do  How to increase your facility’s revenue even as occupancy rates are falling  A self storage industry update from our own portfolio (are downward trends reversing?) How to “train” your customers to lower your facility’s costs  The biggest mistake we made with rent raises at new facilities  How to know which unit sizes will have the most demand in your area  — Watch This BEFORE You Buy a Storage Facility | SSI Ep. 271 w/Jonah Hall - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQlF3qzVeJ4  Invest with AJ and Jonah! - https://cedar.cc/  Connect with Jonah on LinkedIn!  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonahmhall 

Whether you’ve got one self storage facility or twenty, you own a self storage business. And, if you’re like most of us, you want to keep growing. But you can’t be the one changing the locks, picking up the phone calls, answering the emails, and repairing the units while building your portfolio. If you’re doing this, you’re on track to have just another job instead of a fully fledged, profitable business. So, you’re tired of doing all the work. Who do you hire first? Today, we’re talking about teams. These are the people who will take your storage facility business to the next level. You might have zero employees or just a handyman and virtual assistant. Or, you could have full-time staff on the backend. Wherever you’re at, we’re sharing how you can scale faster, smarter, and WITHOUT making the same mistakes we did so you can work less, make more, and build your business faster. When we started, we were the ones shoveling the snow, repairing the units, changing locks, and answering calls. This quickly became too time-consuming, so we were forced to hire. Now, with $300M+ in self storage, our business has radically changed, but the steps we took have not. Follow these “levels” of leadership, and you’ll be able to make self storage your full-time business, or at least a more passive income stream that takes care of (much of) itself. What you’ll learn in today’s show: Who should be your first hire when running a self storage facility  The three “levels” of leadership you’ll go through as your business expands  How to ensure standards don’t start slipping when you leave the day-to-day operations  Start firing yourself! If you’ve got a full-time job, you need to STOP working on your facility  The biggest mistakes AJ made when taking on team members and leading employees  How to STOP working in your business and start working ON your business  Leave a Review for AJ’s New Book: https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Wealth-Self-Storage-2-0-Post-Pandemic/dp/1735258865

The self storage industry has a data problem. How do you narrow down self storage deals? Which metrics matter when analyzing markets? How do you even find self storage data? These are just a few questions new investors have asked but have long gone unanswered…until now. Today’s guest is tipping the scales toward small investors and giving them the tools to compete with institutional players!   Today, we’re chatting with Noah Starr, CEO of TractIQ, a self storage platform that arms everyday investors with the information they need to make better, faster decisions. Noah quit his corporate job to start a self storage business, only to realize that it was difficult to find the data he needed to buy with confidence. Even in 2025, new investors still rely on surface-level metrics—through no fault of their own.   But now, Noah is democratizing the data that institutional buyers have used for decades so YOU can analyze deals properly and stop taking chances on your investments. Tune in as he shares how to identify high-opportunity markets, which signals drive self storage demand, and how TractIQ helps investors find profitable self storage facilities in seconds! What you’ll learn in today’s show: How to unlock better self storage deals using institutional-grade data Noah’s journey from corporate burnout to big-time self storage investor How to identify undervalued markets with low competition and HUGE upside The number one way new investors can compete with REITs (and actually win) The metrics that matter most when analyzing self storage markets Your secret weapon for finding profitable self storage facilities in seconds Self Storage Income Live Event 2025 https://www.selfstorageincome.com/live-event  TractIQ https://tractiq.com/ssi  Noah’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-starr  Get my FREE self storage starter pack to learn how to analyze, underwrite, and operate your next storage investment: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/start-podcast  📌 Make self storage management easier than EVER with our podcast sponsor Tenant Inc. - https://www.tenantinc.com/