Blog / News

I have sold over $100,000 worth of self-storage books I wrote. I do say so myself, pretty good stuff in my books. But reading all the books and taking all the courses, you can get your hands on are not the key to self-storage ownership or profits. A notebook full of ideas and strategies does not create or change your business. It’s what you do next that changes your business. Let me tell you three quick stories to prove my point. Story 1 A long while back, I got a

By Garrett Byrd Buying an existing self-storage facility with the intent to turn it around is one of the smartest strategies in real estate. The infrastructure is built, tenants are in place, and cash flow is immediate. However, the true value of a turnaround lies in the gap between how the facility operates today under the current owner and how it could operate under a modernized, professional management system. Unlocking that upside requires looking past the glossy market

What does it take to make a profit in self-storage with a $600K investment? Three things. Passion. If you're not ready to take on a passion project for the next couple of years, self-storage is not for you. A Great Team. You cannot afford to go it solo. You need a fantastic team of self-storage experts to help you from day one- there is no time for a learning curve here. Relentless Dedication. Let's face it, you've got to be a little crazy. Fanatical. You've got to be willing

From experience, I can tell you there is a much better way to get your foot in the door with self-storage owners. The standard playbook is broken. Most buyers ask owners to dig up endless data, make them wait two to three weeks, and then deliver a low-ball offer, all after claiming they pay more than anyone else. This is precisely why owners immediately say they aren't looking to sell. If you want meaningful engagement and real results, it’s time to change your approach. 3 Re

Buildings on the way and getting ready for 4 more foundations. I love it when a project gets to this stage. You can see progress every day! Looking to get started and wieghing your options? Sign up for our June webinar Why Self Storage Works in 2026...By the Numbers! Save Your Seat: Free 30-minute webinar on June 18th 2026, 11 am EST: https://storage-authority.webinarninja.com/live-webinars/10812540/register

Storage Authority Franchise Buy vs. Build — Self-Storage Investment Comparison Advantages of Both Options ✔ #1 Real estate business ✔ Leverage other people’s money — Loan friendly ✔ 2026 is a strong time to enter self-storage ✔ Requires an experienced team ✔ Feasibility study & appraisal required ✔ Tax advantages — Depreciation & Appreciation ✔ Storage Authority Franchise provides proven systems and support for both options Side-by-Side Comparison BUY (Existing Facilit

By Garrett Byrd Improving Net Operating Income (NOI) on a 20,000 square foot facility requires a mix of micro-efficiencies and creative revenue streams. Because a 20,000 sq. ft. facility is on the smaller side (often considered a boutique or "mom-and-pop" size), you don't have the massive scale to absorb wasted expenses. Every dollar saved or earned moves the needle significantly. To put this in perspective: at a 7% cap rate, every $10,000 you add to your annual NOI increases

We have all heard that the first million is the hardest to make, even harder than the next 5 or $10 million dollars. Let’s say you don’t have the $1 – 2 million cash to build a new self-storage facility that could provide a lucrative six-figure generational income and huge nest egg. But you still like self-storage and have $500K There is a way, with a team on your side, ready to help and guide you day one. The concept is You buy a self-storage facility that is sized to

The self-storage industry has always been incredibly resilient, but navigating the market today requires more than just a gut feeling. It takes hard data, sharp strategy, and a real understanding of shifting economic trends. If you want to scale, develop, or optimize your self-storage portfolio this year, you cannot afford to miss our upcoming live session. Save the Date Date: Thursday, June 18th Time: 11:00 AM EST Cost: Free (Click Here to Register) What We Are Covering (The

Creating Well-Written Manuals for Task Execution Clear, detailed manuals serve as a reference guide for managers. They reduce confusion, ensure consistency, and provide a resource for training new staff. Well-written manuals help managers understand best practices for performing tasks and handling common issues. What makes a good manual Step-by-step instructions: Break down tasks into clear, simple steps. Visual aids: Include photos, diagrams, or screenshots to illustrate pro

Did you know you make 20% more when your spouse really understands what you do for work?

Storage Authority Carolina Road in Suffolk, Virginia, is getting close to opening their brand new red, roll-up doors for business, and so their website is officially in progress! Website in Progress for a New Facility: Storage Authority Carolina Road! Coming Summer 2026 Setting up a new website can be extremely time-consuming and stressful, and when you're in the final throws of construction, let's face it, it's not going to be a priority. We save Storage Authority franchise

Are you ready to break into the self-storage industry but feeling overwhelmed by the thought of managing the development process alone? You don't have to piece together a strategy or vet an entire development team from scratch. When you partner with Storage Authority, you gain an all-in-one powerhouse designed to take your project from a blueprint to a highly profitable reality. Meet Your Built-In Advantage Team We’ve united the critical pillars of self-storage development in

Repetition is key to mastering any skill. For self-storage managers, practicing routine tasks—like gate operations, billing software, and monthly inventory audits—builds confidence and significantly reduces errors. When these processes become second nature, it lowers anxiety and frees up your team to focus on what matters most: solving problems and delivering an over-the-top customer experience.

Self-storage development failure is expensive. More often than not, it is also avoidable. A one-month construction delay can cost a project tens of thousands in lost revenue, and a six-month delay can turn into a major financial setback. In a business where timing drives lease-up and cash flow, mistakes in planning and construction can quickly become very costly. The solution usually comes down to two things: building a better team and bringing in real self-storage industry e

Building a self-storage facility looks straightforward on paper until the "landmines" start exploding. In this webinar replay, industry experts Marc Goodin (CEO of Storage Authority) and Aric Platt (Heartland Building Group) pull back the curtain on the construction mistakes that cost developers tens of thousands of dollars. Whether you are a first-time developer or an experienced operator expanding your portfolio, this session provides the "insider" perspective you need to k

Managing a self-storage facility comes with unique challenges. From handling customer needs to maintaining the property and ensuring smooth daily operations, the role of a manager is demanding. Setting your manager up for success is crucial for the facility’s growth and customer satisfaction. One strategy that can make a significant difference is establishing routines for effective and efficient day-to-day management. Establish Clear Routines Routines create a predictable st

Storage Authority® Franchise Partners with Heartland Building Group to Help Franchise Owners Develop Faster and Smarter Storage Authority® announced a new partnership with Heartland Building Group to give franchise owners a faster, more organized path through the self-storage development process. The collaboration is designed to support franchisees from land evaluation and site selection through design and construction, helping reduce delays, improve coordination, and creat

By Garrett Byrd Storage Authority Franchise Making the leap into self-storage development is an exciting journey toward high-yield returns and long-term stability. However, the path from a vacant lot to a "full facility" of tenants requires more than just pouring concrete. At Storage Authority, we’ve distilled the complex development process into a clear roadmap to help you build better facilities and maximize your profits. Here is your 14-step summary for a successful new de

A self-storage deal can look great on paper and still turn into an expensive mistake. Strong demographics, healthy rent projections, and a clean-looking pro forma do not protect an owner from delays, redesigns, entitlement issues, contractor mistakes, or a slow lease-up if the wrong people are driving the process. That is the part of due diligence too many investors miss. Financial due diligence matters, market due diligence matters, and physical due diligence matters, but te