Many people think that there is only one type of storage vacancy: an empty unit. But why is that unit empty? In this episode of the Self-Storage University podcast, we’re going to analyze the different types of storage vacancy and what they really mean, as well as how to fix them. In today’s competitive environment, it’s essential that you understand the components of vacancy and how to use them as a tool to better position your property for success.

We live in an extremely litigious world, and self-storage owners are no different. All it takes today is the slightest mistake and you can immediately receive a lawsuit in the mail or person. So how can you protect yourself and your storage facility from these type of attacks? In this Self-Storage University podcast, we’re going to review some tips on how to mitigate your liability risk and run a tighter ship that is better positioned to meet the ever-increasing issues of a very litigious society.

Every self-storage facility you put under contract does not end in a successful purchase. Many times the deal will die quickly with cursory inspection, and others make it all the way to the finish line before they get cancelled. In this Self-Storage University podcast we’re going to discuss hidden deal killers, visible deal killers and suspenseful killers that sometimes pop up right at the end. It’s important that you understand these issues and embrace their meaning as opposed to buying a deal that will not work.

There are two types of self-storage investors: 1) those that got into the industry early and rest on those laurels and 2) those that are making it happen in 2020. However, the storage industry loves to only embrace the narratives of the first group, and rarely talks about those entering the industry today and the issues that are important to them. And to succeed today you pretty much have to shun the first group and rely more on those who are real-time buying and operating under the new realities the industry faces. In this episode we’re going to talk about why there are two entirely different views of the industry, why one is more important than the other, and a call to action on the megatrends and issues of those who are trying to make money investing in storage facilities today.

There’s no better form of financing for a self-storage facility than “seller carry” – the concept of the seller creating their own mortgage to finance the purchase. But how do you get it? And what should you watch out for? In this Self-Storage University podcase we’re going to review these questions, as well as a wealth of practical information on creative financing to buy storage properties. If you are looking at buying a self-storage facility, then this podcast should be of interest to you.

We all learn useful lessons in life from a number of teachers. And over the past 40 years – as long as I’ve been in business – I’ve been obtaining real estate loans. While the procedure has remained pretty much the same for all that time, there have been four fundamental concepts that seem to be shared by all bankers – and with good reason. All four of these will have a huge impact on your success in buying self-storage facilities.

Many of today’s self-storage investors think that any product they put out there will be winner. They think that no matter how they treat the customer, they’ll come back or keep paying. But this is bad thinking and is already proven to be wrong in many markets with declining occupancy and rents. So what do customers really want? In this episode of the Self-Storage University podcast we’re going to discuss what storage users demand for their money, and how they are the ultimate boss at the end of the day – the difference between success and failure.

Even though we’re in a new age, there are still some basic theories about investing that hold true for self-storage today as well as they did decades ago. But what are these old-fashioned words of wisdom? In this episode of the Self-Storage University podcast we’re going to look at some of the best classic thoughts and sayings and see how they are as relevant today if you want to be a smart storage investor.

There’s no great success in simply buying a self-storage facility. Any idiot that can write the check for the down payment can accomplish that. Instead, the real trick to buying a storage property is to make money with it. But that can be more allusive than many people think, particularly those that want to follow the same old, tired paths or to think like the herd. In this episode of the Self-Storage University podcast we make the case for focusing on profitability and not convention, and to having the strength to think independently of the herd of idiots out there.

Financing is the lever that allows you to greatly multiply your financial returns. So what are the options in obtaining debt for a self-storage facility? In this episode we’re going to discuss the basic types of financing available today for storage properties as well as the positives and negatives for each variety as well as how to negotiate a better deal with your lender.