The Self Storage University Podcast

When performing due diligence on a self-storage facility, the questions you ask have a huge impact on gathering facts – especially regarding the costs of capital improvements or maintenance projects. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to review the questions to ask and the questions to avoid.

Many buyers feel the least of their worries is the actual date of closing, but that's not true. There's a strategy to closing on a deal that can determine just how smoothly the transition goes. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore the impact of the closing date you choose (or get railroaded into choosing).

Many of the self-storage deals out there are wholly unappealing. So what does it take to make a storage facility acquisition compelling? In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore the metrics behind evaluating a property and come to some conclusions on what should make you interested as well as what should make you run away.

There's an old saying “when the tide goes out you find out who was swimming naked”. And with all of the economic chaos in the U.S. right now, the tide certainly appears to be going out. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to review strategies to not be caught swimming naked.

It costs money to build or buy a billboard, and for many people that means getting a loan. But how can you find a lender and get a loan when you are just starting out? In this Billboard Mastery podcast we're going to explore this topic and discuss some real-life methods to make lending attainable.

U-Haul has historically been a great source of information on population movement. On a regular basis they publish the results of “one-way” rentals that give insight into both where Americans are going but also where they're leaving. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore the meaning behind the latest numbers.

A contract is a legal agreement that is signed by both parties – and sometimes you have to alter that basic agreement to get one or both parties to execute it. But how far can you go in modifying these documents? In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to review what's acceptable and not, as well as what the ramifications are as you edit a standard agreement.

Webster's Dictionary defines a “trap” as “a situation in which people lie in wait to make a surprise attack”. We're all familiar with doing this to mice using a spring and a piece of cheese. But some self-storage owners use this same principle when selling their storage property. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to discuss the common traps that some sellers use and how to diffuse them.

Every self-storage facility seller has two basic traits that guide their decision-making: 1) emotional and 2) rational. How you appeal to and guide these factors can be a key ingredient to forging a successful deal. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to drill down on how to use these attributes to your benefit.

There are too many people extolling the virtues of self-storage investing that have a stake in convincing you of false narratives. They will claim that demand is growing when, in actuality, occupancy in plunging. They will tell you that a market is "hot" when, in reality, it's a buyer's market. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore why you can't really trust anyone in the storage industry and must rely only upon what you can tangibly see or discover yourself.

There is a lot of pain and suffering among self-storage owners that paid too much for their facility, didn't operate it effectively, bought in the wrong location, or have been obliterated by competition. These type of situations often lead to mortgage default. So you do you buy self-storage properties in default? In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore how default occurs, review how it is often addressed by banks, and discuss the steps required to buy a property in default.

Bluffing is not just a part of playing poker – it's also found in working with self - storage facility sellers. In this Self - Storage University podcast we're going to explore some of the most common seller bluffs and how to diffuse them.

There is $2 trillion of commercial real estate mortgage debt coming due over the next two years. Given the low values and occupancy of much of these holdings, it's assumed there will be a “commercial mortgage apocalypse” as a result. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to review this event and where it currently stands.

Understanding The "Crocodile Defense" Maybe it's a slip-and-fall claim or someone who make the false assertion that you sold their unit for non-payment in contradiction to the law. Regardless of the problem, a smart move is to adopt the "crocodile defense". In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to review what this means and how you can use this theory to better your odds of prevailing

You don't have a deal until both parties have signed. So what do you do when the seller is dragging their feet? Is there a way to push them along? That's the focus of this Self-Storage University podcast, in which we explore the methods available to get the seller to get out their pen and actually sign your deal.

Webster's Dictionary defines an “appraisal” as “an expert opinion of value”. But sometimes the expert gets it wrong and your deal can collapse under the weight of that mistake. In this Self-Storage University podcast, we're going to explore what the options are when the appraisal comes in too low.

Everyone likes to talk about giant storage deals because they associate size with “sexiness”. However, the truth is that many of those big deals are total failures and there's nothing attractive about losing money. Instead, for many investors in self-storage, smaller deals offer greater safety and financial returns. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore why smaller deals are often a better choice. 

Most every self-storage property you look at buying seemingly has three sets of books: 1) what the seller promises you 2) the Profit & Loss statements they give you and 3) the tax returns. And the problem is that often these three different viewpoints don't align. What does that mean and what can you do about it?

Most real estate buyers have an endless attraction to what are called “hot markets”. But this pursuit has some disastrous results for most self-storage buyers. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore the truth about “hot markets” and how to approach them properly.

Seller carry, bank debt, conduit financing – those are the typical ways you finance a self-storage facility. But there's another method that rarely gets discussed: “hard-money” lending. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore the concept of hard-money loans and drill down on the risks associated with this alternative funding source. 

Whether you're building a storage facility or just getting routine maintenance completed, you can't really be in the storage business without working with contractors. But there is a certain etiquette to this relationship that is essential to protect your interests. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to discuss how to properly structure your relationship with contractors and avoid their typical pitfalls.

Every loan must bear interest, and when you borrow from a bank that number is typically non-negotiable. However, with seller financing the interest rate is subject to negotiation. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore strategies for determining the correct interest rate on seller-carry debt.

When it comes to getting a loan on a self-storage facility, the better you are at attracting banks the better your loan options will be. So how can you build your lender popularity? In his Self-Storage University podcast we're going to review some the basic steps and skills that will make you a more desirable bank customer.

One of the cardinal rules of investing in a self-storage facility is making sure you have your downside protected. To help facilitate this analysis, many buyers and lenders will “stress test” the proposed deal to see if they can survive the “worst case” scenario. In ths Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore the correct way to “stress test” a deal and what the key metrics need to prove in order to go forward.

There is around $2 trillion of commercial real estate loans coming due in the next two years, and there's an anticipated $1 trillion of losses when those loans renew, thanks to the terrible performance of office and retail properties. And most of this financial catastrophe will fall upon regional banks that may well fail and send the entire banking industry into a freefall, similar to what happened in the Texas Savings & Loan crash of 1987. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore what the “commercial lending apocalypse” is all about and how to insulate yourself from the potential impact.

Bank interest rates are at the highest level in the past 40 years. But it still doesn't make sense to buy a storage facility with all-cash. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to discuss why buying properties with 100% cash and no debt is not a winning concept except in certain circumstances.

There are several ways to find a self-storage facility to buy. Two of the best are “cold-calling” and “direct mail” – but happens when you combine them together? In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to review the powerful force that can be created by combining the postal service and the telephone.

Did you know that hitting a fiber optic cable with your post-hole digger can bankrupt you? There are a large number of buried utilities in the U.S. that you might hit every time you put a shovel in the ground if you don't follow the correct procedure. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to discuss why this is a big issue and how to protect yourself.

One great way to find a self-storage facility to buy is a simple direct mail piece. But with so much mail landing in mailboxes across America, how can you stand out from the pack? On this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore some of the options and theory behind making your direct mail piece a more effective tool.

On most on-line offerings, the time on the market is featured somewhere in the listing. This is one of the most valuable pieces of information available – yet many buyers overlook its importance. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore how knowing how long a facility has been up for sale can prove to be a useful tool in getting it under contract.

There are many different ways to find a self-storage facility to buy, but one of the best is working with a broker. But aren't brokers only interested in working with big, experienced buyers? In this Self-Storage University Podcast we're going to delve into the basics of building a relationship with a broker and why being big is not always the important factor.

Even though we don't know it yet, experts predict that we are already at the start of the next Great Recession. There are two ways to approach a U.S. economic downturn: 1) with fear and loathing or 2) with a healthy optimism. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore some positive attributes regarding recessions.

You can't buy a self-storage facility without a survey. But most buyers do not get the most out of the survey nor do they understand what a proper survey should even reflect. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to review the topic of surveys and what you can do to get a more successful survey drawn.

Some sellers are flexible and other won't budge on their price. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to review some creative ways to achieve a good price when the seller is unwilling to work with the buyer or acknowledge the normal rules of negotiating.

With the turmoil in the lending market, finding ways to lock on lower interest rates – or just have a willing lender with knowledge of the asset – have become very important. And often this revolves around doing a loan “assumption” or some type of derivation of that concept. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to review how loan assumption works and give you tips on how to successfully approach it.

You can't buy real estate with at least some cash for a down-payment. But what do you do when you exhaust your personal money yet still find deals to buy and need a source of the capital to get the job done? In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore the different types of capital partners and what their benefits and disadvantages are.

It's no surprise that self-storage facility loan interest rates have gone up to the highest level in nearly 40 years – and in only 18 months. And there has to be a correlation between these increases and the arrival of loan defaults on the part of many facilities. But when? And how can you put yourself in a position to buy these deals when they come to pass? That's the topic of this week's Self-Storage University podcast.

There is a revolution going on in the labor market and the implications are rumbling through all areas of employment. How will self-storage fare in the newfound quest of employees to fight for staggering wage increases. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore this timely topic as the wage war rages on.

The most dangerous – and profitable – tool in buying self-storage facilities is debt. It can either greatly enhance your rate or return or drag you down and drown you. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore debt, how it works, and what the pitfalls are at a time when interest rates are at 40-year highs.

Buying a self-storage property typically revolves around getting the seller to do something, and that skill  is called “persuasion”. But how does it work and how can you be better at it? In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore the basic methods of persuasion and how to practice them.

Real estate is all about leverage and obtaining debt is a big part of successfully buying a self-storage facility. So how do you find a bank? In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to give you the simple steps required to find a lender.

One of the key components – in fact the first thing you notice when you pull into the facility – of any self-storage property are the paved surfaces. Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous paving companies that see your dependence on road quality as an ample opportunity to trap you into paying more than you should. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to review the typical paving scams and how to block them.

I recently leased two storage units – one in a city of 2.8 million and one in a city of 4,500. And the results perfectly illustrate where the money is in self-storage investing today and where the money definitely is not. And it's amazing how the tide has turned.

You've got bank debt, and you've got seller carry – and then there's the hybrid called a “wrap” note. But what does that mean, how do they work, and what do you have to watch out for? That's the focus of this Self-Storage University podcast. If you're looking at alternative financing options in the current interest rate climate, then this topic should be of great interest.

Many markets across the U.S. are experiencing negative population growth. But is that an important issue when it comes to making smart investment decisions regarding storage properties? In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore what's causing negative population growth and what the implications are for your investments.

The self-storage industry began its self-promotion in the 1970s, at the time that Public Storage started its ascent. But has the storage niche been living up to the original premise? In this Self-Storage University we review one of the early sales materials from the 1970s to see what has proven correct and what is already out of date.

It's one thing to think about self-storage investing and another to actually do it. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to review the methods the pros use to find deals, analyze them, get them financed and operate them. If you want to succeed at self-storage investing, this podcast reviews the systems that work.

One of the first places that buyers typically look for self-storage facilities are on-line listing services, such as Loopnet.com. But this is actually one of the least productive sources, coming in last against brokers, cold-calling and direct mail. Nevertheless, there are deals to be found using this high-tech option – if you know how the process works. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to explore on-line listings from a buyer's perspective.

“Term default” is what happens when your loan comes due and you are unable to find a replacement borrowing option. It was a common problem in the Great Recession in 2008, and that was mostly because borrowers used poor judgement and little caution in their approach to loan renewals and it caught up with them. In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to review the loan process and how to best attack a pending loan renewal.

To get the price you want on a self-storage property, you have to be skilled in negotiation. So how can you develop and refine those skills? In this Self-Storage University podcast we're going to review some simple methods to enhance your negotiating ability and get you more fluid in the art of bartering.

Not all real estate brokers are created equal, and some display their deficient skills – yet there is benefit from these brokers if you hang in there. In this Self-Storage University podcast, we will review the benefits of bad brokers and offer suggestions on harnessing their positive features to better find a self-storage property that meets your goals.