Introduction
& Contents

Introduction

The self-storage real estate market is on fire, with individual and institutional investors snapping up properties as though they're being discontinued. It's no secret why that is, with market performance continually outpacing that of other commercial sectors. The question for existing and potential owners and investors is how to leverage available opportunities in the face of so much buyer competition while also making smart purchases with upside value.This ebook is intended to help, consolidating expert advice from self-storage professionals in the know. You'll get firsthand guidance on sourcing potential acquisitions, conducting due diligence, avoiding common mistakes, improving asset quality, finding off-market deals and more. Our contributors have many years and millions of dollars invested in self-storage properties. We urge you to take advantage of their experience to forge your path forward in this incredibly rewarding and ever-evolving industry.If you'd like still more information after consuming the media in the pages ahead, please peruse the many free resources at insideselfstorage.com as well as the paid tools and products available at iss-store.com. Happy facility hunting!

Throughout this ebook, jump to an article at any time using the Contents menu in the top left corner. There you can also download this publication as a PDF.

How to Get a Leg Up When Buying
Acquiring a self-storage facility can be difficult in this competitive market, yet even under these conditions, good buys do exist—if you know how to identify them. Here are some tips.
By Bill Alter

The Rise of Secondary and Tertiary Markets
Why has there been so much focus on secondary and tertiary markets? Let’s examine the factors that have created hot market conditions and how buyers and sellers can strategically position themselves for success.
By Jane H. Sauls

Avoiding a Bad Buy: Acquisition Due Diligence
There’s always some risk when you purchase a self-storage facility, but you can minimize your chances of making a bad investment by engaging in a comprehensive due-diligence process. Here’s a quick summary of what to review.
By Jeff Gorden

The Steps of a Successful Transaction
Every real estate transaction is unique, but there are steps to the process that remain consistent. Read about the roles and responsibilities of buyer and seller and how each can help ensure the deal closes successfully.
By Monty Spencer

Creating an Effective Loan Package
A detailed loan package can make the difference between your finance request landing in the “yes” pile or the trash can. Find out how to build a comprehensive application that gets approved—with favorable mortgage terms.
By Gregory Porter

Why and How to Use Seller Financing
If you’re pursuing a self-storage acquisition, there are many places to seek capital; but investors rarely talk about one that has real opportunity: seller financing. Learn how this approach can benefit both buyer and seller.
By Katherine D'Agostino

Ways to Increase Facility Value
Investors are salivating to buy self-storage properties, particularly ones with potential. There are many ways to improve asset value, whether you’re an owner looking to sell or a buyer looking to capitalize on an acquisition.
By Steve Hajewski