Self-storage industry analysis by Radius and leading experts.
latest, analysis
James McLean • 21 Mar 2023
James McLean • 14 Mar 2023
The Public REITs Q4 Earnings
Discussing the Public REITs Q4 Earnings.
James McLean
February Recap
Taking a look at how February 2023 performed in comparison to February 2022.
Texas Development Is Still Inching Forward. Will Rates Be Able To Keep Up?
With supply still being added to Texas, can we expect rates to decrease this year?
Is The Industry Stabilizing?
A look at how the self-storage industry fares - comparing previous average price per square foot vs national occupancy.
Can Self-Storage Adapt?
Interest rates continue to rise, how will the self-storage industry respond?
Why Is Self-Storage The Best-In-Class Commercial Asset?
Seven top reasons as to why self storage is the best-in-class commercial asset.
Ed Clement
January Recap
Taking a look at how January 2023 performed in comparison to January 2022.
A New Market Enters the Discussion
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC CBSA is one to keep an eye on.
Highest Percentage of Supply Growth in 2022 for these Markets
A look back at the top 25 markets to see which ones had the highest percentage supply growth in 2022.
A Top Market for Population Growth According to U-Haul, is there Self-Storage Potential?
Keep your eyes on the Myrtle Beach-North Myrtle Beach, SC area this year.
7 Reasons Why Finding Self-Storage Land in 2023 Is Going To Be Easy
In 2023, locating land for self-storage will be a breeze! With the right strategy and preparation, securing suitable space can make all the difference.
Marc Goodin
December Recap
Taking a look at how December 2022 performed in comparison to December 2021.
Once a year to double your Profits!
We all get into self-storage for 3 reasons: Cash flow, more cash flow next year and more cash flow the year after and…
Yearly Recap
Taking a look at how rates have changed from 2021 to 2022.
Climate Controlled Units Vs. Non Climate Controlled Units
How has the average price per square foot fared for the 10x10 CC units compared with 10x10 NCC units?
Q3 2021 Occupancy Compared with Q3 2022 Occupancy
How has occupancy compared to the all time highs of 2021?
One Market Keeps Defying The Odds
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX CBSA continues to thrive.
November Recap
Taking a look at how November 2022 performed in comparison to November 2021.
The Gradual Slow Down Of Development
Is self-storage development taking a back seat for the foreseeable future?
The Public REITs Q3 Earnings
Discussing the Public REITs Q3 Earnings.
Yes, Maybe and No Ranges For The Top 7 Site Parameters
Recommendations to help determine your lines in the sand for the typical 6-acre site.
Unsuspecting Markets In The Top 100 Leading The Way For Supply Growth In 2022
Which three regions from the top 100 markets have the most square footage of supply growth?.
How Much Land Do I Need To Build A Self-Storage Facility?
Advice from industry expert Marc Goodin on how much land is needed to build self-storage.
October Recap
Taking a look at how October 2022 performed in comparison to October 2021.
Are Interest Rates Slowing Down Ground Up Development Projects?
How has the rise in interest rates affected ground up developments in the top 3 markets with the highest square footage of self storage?
Building Self Storage In the 2023 Recession
How to Build Self Storage in the Great Recession of 2023 and Why Self Storage Franchising?
Do Rate Increases And Highest Rented-Homes Population Go Hand-In-Hand?
A look at the top 3 markets within the top 25 that have the highest increase in rates, to see what percentage of homes in the CBSA are renter occupied
Unit Rate Increases From Q1 to Q2
A review of which units had the largest average rate increase from Q1 2022 to Q2 2022
September Recap
Taking a look at how September 2022 performed in comparison to September 2021.
How will Q3 occupancy rates fare for Q2's top regions?
Taking a look at the top 3 regions with the highest occupancy rates in Q2 2022.
Where will Occupancy go in Q3?
Analyzing previous years interest over time to gauge occupany levels for Q3.
Developers Continue to be Bullish
Despite the economic climate and recent pandemic, developers continue to add more supply of self storage.
Market Population Size and Storage Demand
Vastly different population sizes, similar storage demand; why is this?
August Recap
Taking a look at how August 2022 performed in comparison to August 2021.
Population Growth and Self Storage Rates
Analyzing the top 3 cities for population growth in 2022 and how its affected the average rate of a 10x10 climate-controlled unit.
The Public REITs Q2 Earnings
Discussing the Public REITs Q2 Earnings
Demand Keeping Pace with Supply for One Particular Market
Occupancy is still going strong in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington CBSA.
July Recap
Taking a look at how July 2022 performed in comparison to July 2021.
Self Storage Vs Economic Crisis
Looking at how the self storage industry has fared against economic hard times.
Online Searches and Self Storage Rates
Having a website for your facility is more important than ever as online searches for self storage correlates strongly with rates.
Where Will Q2 2022 Occupancy Go?
Analyzing same store occupancy rates sourced from the REITs quarterly earning reports against the average price per square foot.
June Recap
Taking a look at how June 2022 performed in comparison to June 2021.
Radius+ Insider
Your one-stop-shop for all your macro data on Supply, Development, Demand Growth, and Cap Rates.
My Time in Self Storage
Looking at how the self-storage industry has evolved since I first entered this growing space.
The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX CBSA continues to lead the way
In terms of the highest year over year percentage increase in rates from 2021 to 2022 so far, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX CBSA continues to lead the way
Development Activity Booming for One Particular Market
The New York-Newark-Jersey CBSA is not being deterred by the current sub-optimal economy for developing self-storage.
May Recap
Taking a look at how May 2022 performed in comparison to May 2021.
Increase in Rates for these Three Markets
Which three markets saw a significant increase in rates compared to this time last year?
The Public REITs Q1 Earnings
Discussing the Public REITS Q1 earnings call for 2022.
Climate Control or No Climate Control?
Looking at how Climate Controlled units have fared this last quarter and comparing with Q1 2021.
Q1 Review
Reviewing the first quarter of this current year and comparing it to the first quarter of 2021.
April Recap
Taking a look at how April 2022 performed in comparison to April 2021.
3 Markets in the Top 25 Markets with the Least Square Footage of Development
Taking a look at the markets within the top 25 markets with the least square footage of development.
Top 3 Markets with the Most Square Footage of Development
Taking a look at which markets have the most square footage of development projects.
March Recap
Taking a look at how March 2022 performed in comparison to March 2021.
Radius+ Demographics Data
Everything you need to know about Radius+ demographics data
Three demographic trends to consider when evaluating self storage demand
Which three demographic trends should be considered when evaluating self storage?
The Signs that RV and Boat Storage is on the Rise
A lot has happened since COVID-19, particularly in the RV and boating worlds.
When we compare February 2022 to February 2021, we can see that all signs so far are still pointing towards a strong year for the self storage industry!
Inflations Impact on Self-Storage Property Pricing
With the recent headline-grabbing inflation figures, many self-storage owners have been wondering what the impact is, or will be, on their most valuable self-storage assets.
Tom de Jong
Is Self Storage a good hedge against inflation?
The cost of living is higher than expected, is self storage the investment that can outpace inflation?
Which 3 markets have witnessed substantial growth?
Which 3 markets have witnessed substantial growth in rates from January 2021 to January 2022
3 markets that had little growth in rates... are they struggling?
Which three markets are struggling right now? Find out more...
Off to a Good Start
Comparing the first week of 2021 with the first week of 2022, it looks like the self storage industry is off to a very strong start this year
Will Texas' rates bounce back?
After a peak in summer 2021, and gradual decline since, what will happen next in Texas
Who Could Disrupt the Top 10 Market List this Year?
A review of the study comparing how rates in the cities of the top 5 markets have changed from December 2020 to December 2021.
REVIEW - A year on: How rates have been affected in the cities of the top 5 markets
A brief summary of our review which compared rates in the cities of the top 5 markets and how they changed from December 2020 to December 2021.
REPORT - A year on: How rates have been affected in the cities of the top 5 markets
A study comparing how rates in the cities of the top 5 markets have changed from December 2020 to December 2021
Jack Raistrick
A year on: How rates have been affected in the cities of the top 5 markets
A brief article on a study comparing how rates in the cities of the top 5 markets have changed from December 2020 to December 2021.
Six Days of Feasibility: Day 6 - Do You Have Someone to Walk the Path with You?
Day 6: Deal Makers, not Deal Breakers: Do You Have Someone to Walk the Path with You?
Jay Garlick
Six Days of Feasibility: Day 5 - What Do You Do with a Full Feasibility Study?
Day 5: Get You in the Game: What Do You Do with a Full Feasibility Study?
Six Days of Feasibility: Day 4 - Why Not all Feasibility Studies are the Same?
Day 4: Buyer Beware: Why Not all Feasibility Studies are the Same?
Six Days of Feasibility: Day 3 - How a Feasibility Study Makes You Money?
Day 3 - Self Storage = Cash Cow: How a Feasibility Study Makes You Money?
Six Days of Feasibility: Day 2 - Why a Feasibility Study?
Day 2: Do not Make Business Risky: Why a Feasibility Study?
Six Days of Feasibility: Day 1 - What is a Feasibility Study?
Day 1: See the End from the Beginning: What are Feasibility Studies?
TSAG Market Analysis: Greater Detroit
Hollywood has its view of Detroit – and then there’s the self-storage industry’s view of Detroit.
The Storage Acquisition Group (TSAG)
TSAG Market Analysis: Chicago
Statistically, the Chicago area looks like a desirable self storage market for developers, investors and owners alike.
CubeSmart Expects Continued Boon from New York Portfolio
The company is bullish about NYC's return to normalcy, and expects their recent acquisitions to create good demand.
John Egan
Self Storage Web Rates Continue to Climb
Climb is an under-exaggeration for cities like Riverside, Chicago, and Denver.
The Radius+ Team
Demand From Remote workers boosted Public Storage in 2020
People freeing up space for work-from-home setups is likely one key driver of recent spike in self storage demand.
What’s Next for the Self Storage Sector?
HPI’s Jonathan Vollinger offers insights on what shaped the self storage sector in 2020, and outlook for 2021.
Evelyn Jozsa
Stor-Age Continues to Outperform Economy Amidst Pandemic
South Africa's largest self storage property fund continues to impress and prove resilience of the storage sector.
Extra Space Storage Exceeds Expectations in the Pandemic-Era
For Extra Space Storage, anticipated headwinds from the coronavirus pandemic have shifted to tailwinds.
TSAG Market Analysis: Washington D.C./Baltimore
In a tale of two cities, one sees growing self storage supply, and the other sees slow development.
Why 2021 Could Be a Great Year for Self-Storage REITs
While REITs have seen a slump in the recent months, next year could be much better. Here's why.
Matthew DiLallo
The Game Of Risks: C of O Deals
Knowing how to calculate and take risks at the right moment can be the difference between success and failure.
Tom Sapontzis
Dealing With COVID-19 Throughout the Valuation Process
It is becoming clear that the Coronavirus will have some impact on values moving forward, but to what extent?
Jeffrey Shouse
Replay Review: Has Self Storage Show It's Resilience?
Colliers Kurt Smook looks at storage through the pandemic, and how it might offer some respite from the storm.
Kurt Smook
TSAG Market Analysis: North & South Carolina
The North and South Carolina storage markets can expect prices to remain low into the foreseeable future.
The Pandemic’s Mixed Effects on Self Storage
The global health crisis has been considered both a threat and an opportunity for the self storage businesses.
RV Storage Surges as Americans Hit The Road
A surge in RV purchases and rentals have created a window for storage operators to expand storage options.
Is COVID-19 Accelerating Population Growth in Secondary Markets?
The ongoing pandemic may be linked to the rapid population growth in secondary markets.
Report: Self Storage Operators Starting to Bounce Back
A report by Cushman & Wakefield paints an optimistic picture for self storage after an initial COVID shock.
Jay Fitzgerald
TSAG Market Analysis: Atlanta
Atlanta’s self-storage market is expected to rebound just nicely, thank you.
TSAG Market Analysis: South Florida Miami
Miami is holding its own despite building boom and economic storm clouds.
What's Next? Let's Take a Look.
Reviewing self storage supply, demand, and development ahead of a predicted economic recession.
Rich Correll
Radius+ LIVE Home Hangout on April 30th
Join the Radius+ team on April 30th as we chat about the self storage's current landscape amidst the ongoing pandemic
Seeking Good News? Let's Look Back on 2019.
Self storage was on a great track prior to the global pandemic, so maybe we'll pick up where we left off.
Lingering Questions For 2020 Self Storage Investors
Interview with Steven Weinstock, national director of Marcus & Millichap Self Storage Division.
Kerry Curry
Prediction: 2020 Will be Another Big Year For Self Storage
Prior to the pandemic, Cushman & Wakefield chat about what drove a busy 2019, as well as whats ahead for 2020.
Beth Mattson-Teig
Will Self Storage Be A Port In The Storm For Investors?
Self Storage has been one of the stronger niche sectors in recent years. Can it continue through a national pandemic?
Dee Stribling
Americans Are Moving Less. What Does This Mean For The Self Storage Industry?
Panic?! Fear?! Eh, maybe not.
Will 2020 be a Year of Transition for Self Storage?
CubeSmart CEO states the industry will use 2020 to absorb the new supply delivered over the last several years
What Kind of Self Storage Year Should We Be Expecting?
Marcus & Millichap is predicting a solid, yet not spectacular self storage year.
Dan Rafter
Changing Economics of Self Storage Development
Developers are leaning on secondary and tertiary markets for site selection due to rising economic challenges.
Self Storage - Everyone Wants A Piece of the Pie
Kris Bennett shares his thoughts on the future of self storage, as well as tips on how to keep up with the sector
Hilary Daninhirsch
Self Storage is a Business, and Different From Real Estate
It’s easy to categorize self-storage as just another piece of real estate. But that simply isnt true.
AJ Osborne
What is True Economic Occupancy?
Spending time and energy improving economic occupancy “bottom line” is most important, more than physical occupancy.
Patrick Gorman
2019 Full-Year Delivery Update
It was another active year for self storage deliveries, nearly surpassing 2018's record year!.
James de Gorter
New-Builds Predicted To Lead 2020 Self Storage Acquisitions
Expected oversupply and financial underperformance are causing a scare for owners of new storage facilities.
Using Portable Self Storage Units to Maximize Profits
Portable units are filling a niche as operators are finding ways to maximize profits from their facilities.
Selling Self Storage Facilities Amidst Our Changing Economy
Transacting today, more than ever, requires full understanding of a facilities fit within the market and submarkets.
Thomas Gustafson
Self Storage: Not a Secret Anymore?
So is it true that the once best-kept secret of self storage, is not much of a secret anymore?
What The Texas Self Storage Market Can Teach Us About Market Saturation
Understanding the current development cycle, is it time to hunker down until the cycle bottoms out?
Taylor Williams
Neighbor is Out to Disrupt Self Storage: It’s Like Airbnb For Your Stuff
Are consumers really turning to more accommodating and accessible neighborhood storage over larger facilities?
Diana Olick
Bloomberg Study Reveals More People Leave NYC Than Any Other City
But which city has the highest daily influx of residents? The self storage industry should take note
What Is The Actual Rent of a Self Storage Unit in 2019?
The average monthly rent of a storage unit is $88.85. Thats a 2.5 percent decrease from the average price in 2017.
Alexander Harris
Would a Recession Slam Self Storage, or Just Graze it?
Relative to many other businesses in the broader economy, storage remains moderately resilient.
Here Are The 12 Self Storage Trends Identified by Portal Storage Box For 2019
We all know valet service is an increasingly popular element for millennials, but what other trends have emerged?
Understanding the Storage Customer During Tough Economic Times
What are the key elements that give self storage the extra edge for surviving tough economic times?
What Louisville Can Teach Us About Classic Self Storage Oversupply
Having the ability to analyze demand is key in site-selection, so don't wait until its too late.
Amanda S.Helfrich
The Benefits of Conducting a Market Study
There is now over 1.7 billion square feet of self storage space in the U.S., or approx. 5.4 square feet per person.
The New Frontier
We are beginning to see a new wave of development in countries such as Thailand and the Philippines.
John Lindsey
Determining a Reasonable Capitalization Rate
Capitalization rates for self storage facilities have stabilized over the previous three years.
Robert Allen
The Single Most Important Way to Valuate Your Self Storage Facility
Generally, other income - retail sales, tenant insurance, etc. - ranges from 1-10% of storage unit rental income.
Kate Spencer
The Most Popular Method to Determine the Value of Your Facility
Investors are forecasting lower growth rates (from 5%-8% to 3%-5%) than in recent past due to influx of new supply.
What You Need to Consider Before Developing RV and Boat Storage
What makes this type of storage unique is that there are no specific demand indicators.
Eric Blum
Know the Benchmark for Determining Your Facility's Expenses
The biggest expense impacting facility value is real estate taxes. Nationwide, product can range from $30-$400/SF.
How Viable Are Opportunity Zones for Self Storage Investors?
Opportunity zones have the capability to be both profitable and beneficial, but they're difficult to come by.
Michael Mele
How to Conduct a Self Storage Market Analysis
Very dense areas, such as Manhattan, may only require a trade area of one mile!
Acquisitions 101: Do Your Due Diligence Part III
Keep in mind, though, that if there are issues with the facility, the current manager could be contributing to them.
Terry Campbell
Acquisitions 101: Do Your Due Diligence Part II
If you are 100% occupied, this does not necessarily mean that you are profitable as a business.
Acquisitions 101: Do Your Due Diligence Part I
Even if an owner isn't ready to sell at the time you inquire, expressing your interest in acquiring is important.
3 Ways to Determine the Value of a Facility
Valuation can be necessary for buying, selling, refinancing, estate planning or challenging a real estate assessment.
Why Tracking New Self Storage Deliveries Actually Matters
New supply is the greatest factor in rental rate growth
Insights from the Intern: Deliveries in Top Markets
Our intern, Zach Warner, is on-site at a brand new CubeSmart Self Storage facility discussing new deliveries.
Zach Warner
Insights from the Intern: Deliveries by Market
Our intern is on-site at a brand new CubeSmart Self Storage facility discussing the new opening trends by market.
Insights from the Intern: Same-Store Revenues
Our intern, Zach Warner, is on-site at Jefferies HQ discussing same-store revenues.
Insights from the Intern: Peak Deliveries
Our intern, Zach Warner, is on-site at Jefferies HQ discussing peak deliveries.
Insights from the Intern: Cap Rates
Our intern, Zach Warner, is on-site at Jefferies HQ discussing cap rate trends in the self storage industry.
Is Your City Seeing the Highest Rate Volatility in Self Storage?
Moving through the 4th year of the development cycle, move-in rates across U.S. continue to be impacted by new supply.
Don’t Ignore Your Self Storage Market’s Vital Signs
While this metric isn’t a silver bullet it can provide valuable insights into the direction of market health.
Unpacking the Truth About Self Storage Demand: Why the Industry May Have It Wrong
Two metrics have proven to be superior to understanding self storage demand: labor force flows and nonfarm payrolls