Skip to content
Sign in
Artwork for Self Storage Income
BusinessInvestingEntrepreneurshipEducationHow To

Self Storage Income

AJ Osborne

The authority on creating wealth and income through self storage.

Find our video podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoaCszL7eN9T7EixaJgL49WTLsT-CWLD1

Play
Open in
  • 22 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 43 min
  • English

Episodes 22

NewestOldestLongest
All20Unplayed20In progress0Played0
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • Tuesday · 46 min

    363. How to Find “Hidden” Self Storage Deals in 2026 (Our 3-Part Playbook)

    For months, we’ve been saying the same thing: The self storage industry has finally turned a corner. We’re now in a buyer’s market, and we’re seeing some of the best self storage deals in years. But if that’s the case, where are these deals? We’re answering this exact question on today’s episode. Of course, you can find self storage facilities the “normal” way—by building your buy box and giving it to your broker to pull properties already listed for sale. But some of the deepest discounts and greatest wealth creation opportunities come from buying off-market, mom-and-pop facilities with huge value-add potential. And today, we’re providing a three-part strategy anyone can use to find them, even if you’re brand new to self storage investing. We’ll even share a few case studies of real self storage investors who have been able to create several hundred thousand dollars in value by using these exact tactics. Whether you’re on the hunt for your first self storage facility or looking to grow your portfolio, these time-tested strategies will help you do just that! What you’ll learn in today’s show: Our three-part strategy for finding off-market deals in 2026 Case studies from self storage investors who bought off-market properties Creative ways to find mom-and-pop, value-add self storage opportunities How to develop your own self storage network from scratch How to foster the right mindset for finding self storage deals __________ Join our group, the Self Storage Income Community to learn how to buy, build, and scale your self storage portfolio. While also being around supportive people with similar goals! https://www.selfstorageincome.com/learn-yt?el=pc-episode-363 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 How to Win Friends and Influence People : https://www.amazon.com/dp/0671027034

  • August 18 · 43 min

    362. 3 Steps to Get Your First Self Storage Facility This Year

    By the end of this episode, you’ll have everything you need to buy storage facilities—not just any facility, but the facility that is best for you. This is the exact pre-acquisition checklist Conner uses to get prepped to buy self storage investments. Not only can it help speed up your timeline to your first storage facility exponentially, but it will also make buying every facility after that even easier. If you wonder how Conner and AJ invest at scale and can move on deals so quickly, this is how it’s done. We’ll walk you through everything you need, from finding lenders and insurance to getting your buy box set up and connecting to brokers who will send you deals, and finally making offers on facilities that fit your exact criteria. This is everything you need to go from zero self storage investments to your first one under contract, and by next week, you could have deals filling up your inbox if you follow Conner’s checklist. What you’ll learn in today’s show: The three things you need to find, offer on, and buy your first self storage investment It is not too early to talk to a lender and why you should be calling them before the deal hits your inbox The exact buy box you can send to brokers that will get them to send the right deals to you Submitting LOIs (letters of intent) and PSAs (purchase and sale agreements) before closing How to get on mom-and-pop owners’ good side so they offer you the chance to buy first — 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 Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/ Check out this episode next: The Last Time Self Storage Did This, We Made Millions (You Have 2 Years) - https://www.selfstorageincome.com/podcasts/self-storage-income-2/episodes/2149240630 Join the Self Storage Income Community to learn how to buy, build, and scale your self storage portfolio: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/learn-yt?el=yt-episode-362

  • August 11 · 46 min

    361. The Last Time Self Storage Did This, We Made Millions (You Have 2 Years)

    Small self storage investors, you’ve got just two years to take advantage of one of the greatest wealth creation opportunities we’ll likely ever see. We’ve officially reached the midway point of 2026, and things look a little different than most were predicting only 12 months ago. But one thing has happened as expected: self storage is approaching equilibrium again, and we’ve entered an exciting phase in the market cycle. With interest rates unlikely to fall, sellers are finally accepting reality and are coming to the table with deals. And we’ve seen this shift play out firsthand in our own business. We’ve bought more self storage facilities in the last six months than we did in the last three years combined. The market has absorbed new supply, deals are available at better prices, and more sellers are motivated to move their assets. Meanwhile, the REITs are making moves that give us a clear picture of what we can expect over the next few years. The question is no longer what’s going to happen, but who will take advantage before the market shifts again. What you’ll learn in today’s show: An update on the current state of the self storage industry Why operators are more motivated to sell today than they have been in years The two-year window for buying undervalued self storage deals What small investors should do now before new supply comes online What the REITs are telling us about where self storage is headed — 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?el=pc-ep361

  • August 4 · 25 min

    360. Self Storage Just Entered a New Era: What Small Operators Need to Know

    Self storage just entered a new era. The industry isn’t shifting. The shift has already happened. Within eight days, we saw multiple instances of operator and data infrastructure consolidation. On the surface, these might look like normal acquisitions, but they signal seismic changes within the self storage industry that small operators can’t afford to ignore. The top 100 operators already control over half of the nation’s rentable storage space, and the top five alone control a whopping 35%. That number is growing. This is eerily similar to what we saw when online marketing came on the scene. The REITs and big players adopted search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising long before anyone else. Now, they’re on the move again. In self storage investing, data is king. Thankfully, access has been brought down to the level of mom-and-pop operators in recent years. But those who overlook what’s going on are at risk of losing their competitive advantage in the marketplace. I’m breaking down exactly what small self storage investors need to do to adapt and why the entire industry is in dire straits if they don’t. What you’ll learn in today’s show: Two crucial areas where the self storage industry has consolidated What self storage investors need to know amid a major industry shift Major transactions from the last few weeks and their impact on small operators The parallels between self storage data and online marketing How mom-and-pop operators can harness AI within their self storage business __________ 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 NowMetrics: https://nowmetrics.co/ Storelocal: https://www.storelocal.com/ TractIQ: https://tractiq.com/

  • July 28 · 53 min

    359. The Small Self Storage Owner’s AI Guide (Prompts, Examples, Tools)

    Everyone keeps talking about AI. But how do you, a small self storage owner with one, two, or a handful of self storage investments, actually use it to grow your revenue, reduce your vacancy, keep customers for longer, and pick up a fraction of the phone calls? Today, we’re showing you how. Alec Peeples from Storeganise is sharing the beginner-friendly AI “buckets” storage investors can use to easily (and surprisingly cheaply) automate their facilities and make more revenue with way less work. He’ll share the beginner framework that those brand new to AI can try, the “trends” you can discover that generate more income for your facility, and even the exact prompts he uses to find blind spots in storage businesses. These are high-level, highly usable ways for small self storage owners to get the equivalent of a six-figure salaried C-suite employee for less than a couple dozen bucks per month. If you could access that today, why wouldn’t you? What you’ll learn in today’s show: The exact prompts Alec uses to discover the revenue gaps at self storage facilities How to start training your AI to think like a six-figure COO for your storage business The three “buckets” of AI use in self storage and the one that is the most valuable for you How to get AI to handle customer service without having your calls feel like AI Why small investors stand to benefit most from this massive change in the market — 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 Check out Storeganise, the free AI toolkit built for self-storage operators; a library of prompts, skills, and automations you can use with any software: https://ai-lab.storeganise.com Connect with Alec on LinkedIn! - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alec-peeples/

  • July 21 · 45 min

    358. How to Scale Your Storage Portfolio Quicker (Fast Track AJ’s Path!)

    You want your self storage portfolio to build your wealth, replace your income, and give you the freedom to run your business on your own terms. So, how do you get there? Or better yet, how do you get there (much) faster than we did? It took us nearly 20 years to go from a single facility to a self-running self storage portfolio and (many) millions in equity. Can you do it in half the time? Today, AJ and Conner share how to pass through the three phases every self storage business experiences, from a lone investor answering the phones to a true business owner who’s focused on scaling, instead of sending late-payment notices. There are multiple mistakes AJ made along the way that could have saved him years if he had known what he knows now. Now, we’re sharing it with you so you can build the income-replacing, self-running storage portfolio anyone, even you, can scale, starting in 2026. What you’ll learn in today’s show: The “mistakes” AJ made that cost him years of time when investing in self storage How to stop doing all the work yourself and leverage other people to run your portfolio better than you can The three “phases” every self storage investor goes through and whether you need to make it to the final phase Things starting to “break” in your business? Signs it’s time you’re ready for the next phase Before you pay yourself from your self storage cash flow, do this first! 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?el=pc-ep358 Get our FREE self storage starter pack to learn how to analyze, underwrite, and operate your next storage investment:https://www.selfstorageincome.com/start-podcast?el=pc-ep358

  • July 14 · 44 min

    357. How to Add 6-Figure Cash Flow to Your Storage Business with Cost Segregation

    Most self storage investors focus on things like increasing revenue, maximizing occupancy, and mastering operations. But not enough of them play defense. Depreciation is a powerful tool that can save your self storage business thousands—potentially even hundreds of thousands—in taxes, but few are harnessing its full power. Brian Liles and Brian Broussard from CSSI have done it for over 65,000 facilities to date. With a cost segregation study, you could accelerate depreciation on your self storage facility’s components, creating a massive paper loss this tax year that puts more of your hard-earned dollars back in your pocket today. For many self storage owners, one or two of these cost segregation studies can create enough cash flow to fund major upgrades or even buy the next self storage facility. Whether you’re acquiring an existing facility, building new construction, or looking to catch up on tax deductions, these are real, practical strategies you can put to work right away. What you’ll learn in today’s show: The enormous tax benefits many self storage owners are overlooking Creating six-figure cash flow with depreciation deductions How to accelerate depreciation with a cost segregation study How to claim “catch-up” deductions on an existing self storage facility Strategies that allow you to stack multiple benefits for bigger tax savings — - Get our FREE self storage starter pack to learn how to analyze, underwrite, and operate your next storage investment:https://www.selfstorageincome.com/start-podcast?el=pc-ep357 - 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 - CSSI - https://cssiservices.com/ - DSIRE - https://dsireusa.org/ - Email Brian at brian.liles@cssiservices.com

  • July 7 · 1 hr

    356. We Gave AI the Keys to Our Self Storage Business (It Made a $1M Difference)

    AI has changed everything about self storage investing. Not just for the REITs, but for the “small” self storage investor, too—the operator who owns just one or two self storage facilities. It’s so revolutionary that investors who dismiss it as the latest “tech trend” are at serious risk of becoming obsolete. My self storage business saved $1,000,000 in the last year alone by deploying AI throughout our company. It helped us cut over 250 man hours per month and has prevented us from hiring any extra staff, despite scaling our portfolio by 30%. Today, I’m showing you how to do it, too. Travis Morrow, CEO and Chairman of Storelocal, is seeing a very similar impact, and he’s only been working with these tools for a week. In this episode, we’re breaking down the specific ways we’re integrating AI within our self storage businesses—from automating self storage tasks and generating detailed reports to optimizing marketing strategies and eliminating organizational bottlenecks. AI is no longer the “future” of self storage. It’s arrived. And operators have two options: adapt or get left behind. Which one will you choose? What you’ll learn in today’s show: The massive advantage today’s AI tools are giving to “small” self storage investors How my business saved over $1,000,000 in only one year, just by using AI Why self storage investors must adopt AI tools today or risk becoming obsolete Several ways Travis is leveraging AI within his own self storage business How to use AI to automate tasks, generate reports, track crucial KPIs, and more 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 Tenant Inc.: https://www.tenantinc.com/ Storelocal: https://www.storelocal.com/ Get $100 Off Registration for The Show 2026 with Code ‘SSI26’: https://www.msmtheshow.com Get our FREE self storage starter pack to learn how to analyze, underwrite, and operate your next storage investment:https://www.selfstorageincome.com/start-podcast?el=pc-ep356

  • June 30 · 42 min

    355. How to Make Self Storage Offers Sellers Actually Accept (LOI Breakdown)

    You’re inches away from buying your first self storage facility. This is where 99% of new investors get stuck. They run the numbers, come up with an offer that works, and…freeze. They wait too long to send the offer, get too nervous, and weeks later see that same facility sold for even less than they were offering. Get out of your own way—this is how you make an offer on your first self storage facility. Conner and George have analyzed thousands of facilities and helped craft hundreds of offers. Today, they’re sharing the step-by-step breakdown of how you can do the same so your offer gets accepted, you get in the game, and you’re a step closer to building your self storage portfolio. We’ll help you get over the hump and write your first LOI, show you the quick deal analysis format we follow to make (accurate) offers ASAP, share the one thing that we ask a seller for with every LOI we send in, and figure out what a “good” deal looks like so you can jump on it when you see it. Your first self storage investment is closer than you think—this breakdown will help you get to it. What you’ll learn in today’s show: How to write an LOI that shows the seller you’re serious The “quick” deal analysis you can perform to screen any potential facilities coming your way SSI’s new challenge to get your first accepted offer in a month (or less) The expense ratio we use when quickly analyzing self storage facilities to see if they’ll work The contacts you need in your network to confirm the deal you’re buying will profit — How to Analyze a Self Storage Facility (Beginners Start Here!): https://www.selfstorageincome.com/podcasts/self-storage-income-2/episodes/2149212108 Join the Self Storage Income Community to learn how to buy, build, and scale your self storage portfolio: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/learn-yt?el=yt-episode-355 TractIQ: https://tractiq.com/ Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/ Get our FREE self storage starter pack to learn how to analyze, underwrite, and operate your next storage investment:https://www.selfstorageincome.com/start-podcast?el=pc-ep355

  • June 23 · 22 min

    354. This Self Storage Risk Is Also Its Biggest Wealth-Building Opportunity in Years

    The next three years will make or break self storage investors. This isn’t hyperbole. The self storage industry is shifting, and the biggest players—like Public Storage and Extra Space Storage—are telling us exactly what’s about to happen. Their 2026 playbook is all about locking in fixed-rate debt, moving away from variable-rate debt, and lending to private operators in distress. On the surface, it appears that they’re simply mitigating risk, but that’s not all. They’re also filling their deal funnel for when smaller operators start to crack. Then there’s the bond market. The yield curve is flattening, signaling short-term headwinds. Floating-rate debt, bridge loans, and markets with supply pressure are all landmines for investors. But the higher the risk, the greater the opportunity. 2026 and 2027 could represent one of the greatest wealth-creation opportunities self storage and commercial real estate have seen in decades. And if you pay attention to the signs today, you’ll find yourself on the right side of things when the self storage industry shakes up. What you’ll learn in today’s show: The three-part playbook self storage institutions are using in 2026 Why major players are lending to small self storage operators What the bond market is telling us about commercial real estate risk Three “danger zones” self storage investors should avoid through 2027 The two primary ways to create wealth through self storage Grab AJ’s Book, Growing Wealth in Self-Storage 2.0 : https://a.co/d/aRSKcSq 👥 Join the Self Storage Income Community to learn how to buy, build, and scale your self storage portfolio: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/learn-yt?el=yt-episode-354 ✍️ Sign Up for AJ's Newsletter! He shares news and advice weekly about: self storage, business, entrepreneurship, economics, finance, and more! https://ajosborne.com/newsletter?el=pc-ssi-ep364

  • June 16 · 49 min

    353. Self Storage Won’t Give You Passive Income, But It CAN Make You Rich

    There’s a massive lie floating around the self storage industry: that it’s passive. It’s not. But it’s so worth it. And self storage isn’t your average active investment either. It’s a full-fledged business with income, expenses, overhead, marketing, and more. Even self storage facilities that are remotely managed require boots on the ground, fine-tuned systems and processes, and the means to track crucial metrics. If this is your first self storage facility, you may be wearing multiple hats—at least at first. But the beauty of this asset class is that it’s highly scalable. With the right foundation in place, you could grow a large self storage portfolio that helps you achieve all of your investing goals—all while enjoying the type of lifestyle you want. The thing is, you’re going to need help. We share the ideal tech stack, ways to find reliable contractors, and the first hire you should make. From improving your curb appeal and managing move-outs to monitoring your competition, we’re covering everything you need to pay attention to if you want your self storage business to thrive in 2026. What you’ll learn in today’s show: Why self storage isn’t a passive investment (but still worth it) The most important metrics to track within your self storage business How to improve self storage operations with key systems and processes How to find reliable contractors to assist with facility maintenance and upkeep Everything you need to manage your self storage facility remotely Resources 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?el=pc-ep353 Cedar Creek Capital - https://cedar.cc/ Patchwork Labs - https://www.patchworklabs.com/

  • June 9 · 56 min

    352. Self Storage Deals Are Selling for 50% Below Asking (How to Find Them)

    Self storage deals just keep getting better in 2026—or at least that’s what people keep saying. We’re seeing a few major shifts throughout the self storage industry. First, transactions are up. Sellers are finally accepting reality, slashing prices, and taking lower offers. Frank DeSalvo, managing director of self storage investment sales at Franklin Street, is seeing self storage facilities sell for up to 50% off their list price. At the same time, we’re seeing more signs of distress, which could ramp up in the coming months as interest rates remain high and debt comes due. But if this is the case, where are all these deals? You won’t find many of them in the top 25-50 MSAs. REITs and private equity have a stranglehold on these large, first-tier markets. But the secondary and tertiary markets? This is where “small” self storage investors have been seeing massive opportunities since the end of 2025. We’ll show you exactly where we’re finding these discounted deals, the “sweet spot” self storage facilities you’ll want to target, and the biggest red flags to watch for—whether you’re analyzing a self storage deal or a new market. What you’ll learn in today’s show: How to find self storage deals in secondary and tertiary markets The “winning” playbook for small self storage investors looking to buy in 2026 Why we’re seeing more distress throughout the self storage industry The best self storage markets we’re targeting right now The biggest red flags to avoid when analyzing self storage markets Join the Self Storage Income Community to learn how to buy, build, and scale your self storage portfolio: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/learn?el=pc-ep352 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 Connect with Frank on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-desalvo-94904531 Connect with Frank on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankvincentdesalvo/

  • June 2 · 52 min

    351. Self Storage Analysis 101: How to Find and Underwrite Deals (Step by Step)

    You want to buy a self storage facility, but you don’t know where to find one, or how to analyze one, or even where to begin. You’re in luck because today, we’re showing you exactly how to analyze a self storage facility, step by step. We break down the entire process, from creating your buy box, finding listings, and reviewing offering memorandums (OMs) to evaluating markets and analyzing competitors. We’ll even show you two real properties currently listed online, go over the numbers, comb through the photos, and tell you what we might do if we were buying them. You’ll quickly learn that some figures matter far more than others. The purchase price is always negotiable (especially in this market), and low occupancy isn’t a dealbreaker if there’s self storage demand. Whether you’re targeting stabilized assets or value-add opportunities that allow you to increase revenue, use this practical framework to hone your self storage underwriting skills and achieve the ultimate goal: buying your first or next facility! Join the Self Storage Income Community to learn how to buy, build, and scale your self storage portfolio! What you’ll learn in today’s show: How to analyze a self storage facility (step by step) Offering memorandums (OMs) explained, and how to use one The best places to find self storage facilities listed for sale Why you should build your buy box before analyzing self storage deals What to look for when evaluating a self storage investing opportunity Why self storage market demand matters more than occupancy — Join the Self Storage Income Community: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/learn?el=pc-ep351 Get our FREE self storage starter pack to learn how to analyze, underwrite, and operate your next storage investment: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/start-podcast?el=pc-ep351 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 Work with someone experienced in self storage loans at Live Oak Bank! https://www.liveoakbank.com/business-loans/self-storage/

  • May 26 · 41 min

    350. He Bought a Self Storage Facility for Less Than a Rental Property ($5K Down)

    People think you need millions to get started in self storage. You don’t. You’re about to hear about someone who just bought a self storage facility for less than a single-family home. And not only that—they put just $5,000 down. Now, rather than dealing with tenants and toilets, they’re getting a 42-unit self storage business that provides immediate cash flow and offers serious value-add potential. Today, we’re highlighting wins just like these, from “small” investors just like you. We’ll get into how smart investors are building out their capital “stacks,” structuring partnerships, and identifying the best markets to invest in. We’re also addressing the most common pain points and questions investors have when running a self storage business. What are the best ways to leverage AI? Should you have cell towers installed on your property to increase revenue? Is it a good idea to do away with security deposits? How do you get insurance costs under control? We answer all of these and more! Join the Self Storage Income Community to learn how to buy, build, and scale your self storage portfolio! What you’ll learn in today’s show: Recent investing wins, questions, and pain points from the SSI forums Leveraging AI to improve operations and increase your bottom line How to keep your self storage facility’s insurance costs in check What to know before structuring your capital “stack” or partnership How to increase revenue by placing cell towers on your property The number one mistake investors make when analyzing a self storage market — 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?el=pc-ep350 Patchwork Labs - https://www.patchworklabs.com/ Tenant Inc. - https://www.tenantinc.com/ Storelocal - https://www.storelocal.com/

  • May 19 · 1 hr 1 min

    349. From “Accidental” Investor to Owning 13 Self Storage Facilities (2,800+ Units!)

    Self storage was never part of Tanner Herget’s plan. He started as a customer, renting a unit for his restaurant equipment. A year later, he bought the self storage facility. That property had 180 units. Today, it has 460. And that was just his first deal. Since then, Tanner has tightened his buy box, refined his investing strategy, and scaled his self storage portfolio to 13 facilities and over 2,800 units—all managed remotely by just two office employees. His playbook? Buying small self storage investments at a discount, then adding massive value through expansions and operational upgrades, one property at a time. This is how Tanner creates enormous wealth, making $500,000 per self storage facility. Today, he, AJ, and Conner are breaking down how to recycle the same capital again and again, dial in the ideal unit mix at your facility, and improve operations through vertical integration. If you’re in self storage for more than just extra cash flow or tax benefits—and want to build true generational wealth—pay close attention to what Tanner’s doing. What you’ll learn in today’s show: How this “accidental” investor scaled to 13 facilities and over 2,800 units The self storage expansion playbook that makes $500,000 per facility Increasing revenue with a vertically-integrated self storage business Three steps to maximizing occupancy at any self storage facility How to build generational wealth through self storage investing — 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 Get our FREE self storage starter pack to learn how to analyze, underwrite, and operate your next storage investment: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/start-podcast?el=pc-ep349

  • May 12 · 38 min

    348. Self Storage’s “Unfair” Advantage (Why It Beats Most Other Asset Classes)

    Self storage businesses beat most other investments, and it’s not even close. Wherever you’re thinking about parking your money—whether it be rental properties, the stock market, or service-based businesses—the truth is, self storage has the edge over all of them. Most investors look at other businesses and see low startup costs and flexibility, and they’re not wrong. But what they’re missing is what some of these businesses don’t have: hard assets, tax benefits, all kinds of financing options, and one massive benefit that often goes overlooked: The dollar your self storage facility makes is worth far more than the dollar most other investments make. Why? Because in self storage, that dollar not only increases revenue but also grows the value of your facility. And unlike rental properties, which require many hours of physical labor and renovation costs, self storage facilities can grow in value in a matter of months—without swinging a hammer or pulling up carpet, but with simple operational improvements. So, how do you do it? We’ve got the blueprint. What you’ll learn in today’s show: The biggest advantages self storage has over other investment strategies Ways to increase the revenue (and value) of your self storage business The many tax benefits that come with commercial real estate investing Why self storage facilities are more resilient than other assets during downturns The number one problem with owning a service-based business — 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?el=pc-ep348 Get our FREE self storage starter pack to learn how to analyze, underwrite, and operate your next storage investment: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/start-podcast?el=pc-ep348 Buy Then Build : https://www.amazon.com/Buy-Then-Build-Walker-Deibel-audiobook/dp/B081BBMM78/

  • May 5 · 19 min

    347. The Self Storage Industry’s “Blind Spot” That Big Money Can’t Touch (Yet)

    The self storage industry has a glaring “blind spot,” and it’s much bigger than you think. In fact, it represents over 19,000 self storage facilities spanning 98% of U.S. cities. The REITs? The larger players? They’re not doing anything about it. They can’t. But for you, the new or “smaller” self storage investor? You are uniquely positioned to take advantage of massive opportunities, the likes of which we may never see again in our lifetime. Despite how far technology has come in the last 10-15 years, there are still thousands of mom-and-pop facilities that are hidden from public data. Why? Because they’re not online. They’re not marketing. They’re inefficient. And when it comes to market research, they’re invisible. What does this mean for you? In this episode, I’ll demonstrate how you can purchase one of these “undervalued” facilities, make operational improvements, cut unnecessary expenses, and increase revenue. These opportunities won’t be around forever. We’ve just entered a new wealth-creation cycle, but there’s only a five-year “runway” to start your self storage business and scale your portfolio before self storage figures itself out. The clock is ticking. What you’ll learn in today’s show: The digital “blind spot” that is creating generational opportunities for small investors How to find and buy “undervalued” mom-and-pop self storage facilities The five-year wealth-creation “runway” before the next evolution of self storage Growing your net operating income (NOI) by optimizing operations and expenses How to unearth profitable self storage deals in secondary and tertiary markets — 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://www.tractiq.com

  • April 28 · 46 min

    346. How to Make Your Storage Portfolio "Bullet Proof" (Even in a Down Market)

    We survived 2008, the pandemic, high interest rates, and now a wildly volatile economy—but it’s not the same for other self storage owners. I’ve been getting calls over the last 6 months from operators losing their facilities, trying to restructure, and get out. They’ll lose money, lose their properties, and most likely lose the relationships with their banks, lenders, or investors. This is how to not be in that position. This is how to become “hard to kill” in self storage. What most investors don’t realize is that to thrive, you need first to survive—and this is exactly how to do it. I’ll share how much liquidity (cash reserves) you should have on-hand at all times, how to put your numbers over your emotion and never panic buy or sell, what to do when big competitors drop rates (by 50%!) in your market, and the playbook we used to build a $300M+ storage portfolio while everyone else was severely unprepared. If you can stay in a strong position in 2026, you will have opportunities coming your way that won’t resurface for years. What you’ll learn in today’s show: How to make your self storage portfolio “hard to kill” even by big competitors Cash reserves: how much you should keep in your accounts at all times How to survive the intense rate drops of big competitors (REITs) in your market Stop letting your emotions run your portfolio (this will lead you to lose money) What we did in 2008, 2020, and now 2026 to buy opportunities of a lifetime Preparing for maintenance costs, especially when you’re in the slow season — 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 Why I Bought Self Storage in a Recession https://www.selfstorageincome.com/blog/why-i-bought-self-storage-in-a-recession Self Storage Investing 101 https://www.selfstorageincome.com/blog/self-storage-investing-101

  • April 21 · 30 min

    345. How to Create More Demand for Your Self Storage Units (Grow Occupancy & Rents)

    Your self storage business isn’t struggling because your vacancy rate has slowly crept up or because your rents are too high. What’s actually going on? It’s simple: you have a self storage demand problem. Everyone thinks demand is outside of their control—that it’s completely dependent on the market, competition, and rates. But it’s not. The truth is, you have far more control over demand for your self storage units than you probably think. Not convinced? In this episode, we provide real case studies of developments, fill-up facilities, and stabilized facilities we have transformed over the last four to six months. If you want to “create” demand, even in a seemingly competitive market, we have the playbook. Whether you’re looking to buy an existing mom-and-pop operation or optimize an underperforming facility you already own, there are four operational levers you need to pull if you want to generate enough demand to improve occupancy and increase revenue—without slashing rates. Dial these in just right, and everything changes—not just demand for your self storage units but also your overhead costs, your conversion rates, and your bottom line. What you’ll learn in today’s show: Four levers that will improve demand and occupancy at your self storage facility Real case studies of developments, fill-up, and stabilized self storage facilities Why lowering rates won’t fix your self storage facility’s vacancy problem How to “create” demand for self storage units (and drive occupancy higher) Improving your self storage business’s conversion rate (and land more customers) __________ 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 Hummingbird: https://www.tenantinc.com/products/hummingbird TractIQ: https://www.tractiq.com

  • April 14 · 43 min

    344. 3 Moves That Will Immediately Boost Your Self Storage Revenue (And Value!)

    Want to increase not just your self storage revenue, but also your facility’s value? It has very little to do with luck, timing, or even the deal itself. It’s all about the levers you pull after closing. With rental properties, stocks, and other investments, you have almost no control over what the market does. But with self storage investing? You’re in the driver’s seat. You have the ability to influence both how much your facility makes and what it’s ultimately worth. How, exactly? Conner and George break down the most impactful value-add strategies self storage operators should prioritize. Whether you’re buying your first self storage facility or stabilizing one, increasing revenue, controlling expenses, and making high-ROI property improvements can raise your bottom line dramatically. We’ll get into strategic rate increases and dynamic pricing, operational inefficiencies and “hidden” costs, and finally, expansions and additions that really move the needle on net operating income. These strategies are practical, tactical, and hands-on. Because in self storage, rarely do you find value. You create it. What you’ll learn in today’s show: The three “levers” that can improve the value of your self storage facility How to grow your net operating income with dynamic or tiered pricing Increasing revenue and attracting better customers with tenant protection plans Unnecessary expenses to identify and eliminate from your self storage business High-ROI amenities and features to add to your self storage facility — 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 Inner Circle- https://www.selfstorageincome.com/inner-circle?el=pc-episode-344

Showing 1–20 of 22 episodes