For decades, self-storage was dismissed by the real estate establishment as a niche business for those with too many belongings. It lacked the prestige of office towers or the familiarity of apartment complexes, often relegated to the industrial outskirts of town. However, what was once an overlooked sector has matured into one of the most reliable and sought-after asset classes in commercial real estate.

Sometimes overkilling is a good business strategy. In this Self - Storage University podcast we’re going to explore how to take a lesson from World War I and use it as a success roadmap.

Self-storage pricing is still shaped by two forces that rarely agree, seller expectations and today’s cost of money. Cap rates in recent surveys have commonly hovered around the mid 5% range, while financing often prices off SOFR plus a spread. That gap is why buyers who negotiate with skill keep finding deals, and buyers who negotiate with feelings keep getting stuck.

In this video, Frank Rolfe explores the top three reasons to consider investing in a self-storage facility in 2026. Unlike the stock market, precious metals and bitcoin, self-storage offers an income stream that an provide you with a safety line from your day job, as well as a source of financial freedom and security.

Every self - storage facility needs a manager – but you’ll make more money if you choose a great one. But to select a good candidate you must first think through what attributes they would possess. In this Self - Storage University podcast we’re going to explore what characteristics all great managers share.