August 2026 Self Storage Investing Newsletter

A self-storage property can look great from the road and still be a bad investment. Fresh paint, a new office and attractive landscaping are nice, but they are not what ultimately determines performance. The real question is whether the property has the basic ingredients—the “bones”—that give an operator something worthwhile to work with.

Many self-storage buyers look for direction from real estate brokers. But in today’s market, that can often lead to bad investment choices. In this Self-Storage University podcast we’re going to review some of the untruths that the brokerage community is telling buyers as well as what you really need to know.

Customers rent self-storage space because they expect their belongings to remain protected. That makes security more than an amenity. It is part of the product you are selling. A gate or a row of cameras may look impressive, but real security comes from several layers working together.

Lay’s potato chips has the slogan “bet you can’t eat just one” – and the same can be said for many self-storage investors. They buy a property and then they buy another one. And since that’s the likely scenario, there are some things to ponder regarding building a highly efficient portfolio. So what are the issues to consider?

Given the current lending upheaval with storage facilities, obtaining seller debt is a welcome change from traditional banks. But there are some minimum thresholds regarding seller note construction that you need to be aware of. In this Self-Storage University podcast we’re going to explore the science behind these minimum standards.