Self Storage Finders

Self Storage Finders, www.selfstoragefinders.com, is an online storage directory specializing in advertising and marketing. Similar to Hotels.com for the hotel industry, Self Storage Finders lists thousands of self storage facilities nationwide. Research, reserve and rent online in a few simple steps.

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9 Smartphone Resources to Make Your Move Easier

Moving can be a stressful experience. First, you have the stress of sorting out which of the many items in your home you’re keeping and which ones you’re trashing. Then, there’s the Herculean task of ensuring that everything you’ve elected to hold on to is neatly packed into boxes. And even after all those hours spent packing your items away, there’s still the tedious process of unpacking to look forward to.

Most people wish there was a way they could zap their property from one home to another. Science isn’t quite there yet, but it has made some headway. If you own a smartphone and you’re a fan of functional apps, the following are a few innovative resources that could make your next move a little easier:

1. Moving Van

The Moving Van iOS app offers you an effective way to organize the moving process. In addition to providing a flexible date range, it features a status update function that lets you know how far ahead or behind schedule you are with your moving plans. You can gauge your readiness level by checking off items on the default checklist or by creating a customized checklist of your own.

The app also takes advantage of the camera on your phone for digital recording. Using this, you can take pictures of each box while you’re packing so that you have an idea of what’s contained in each box. You’ll never have to worry about which box contains your toilet paper again!

2. iMoving

Take control of your move with Apple’s iMoving app, which comes packed with tools and features designed to optimize your packing and moving process.

Clicking on the “Start Moving” button gives you an overview of the different rooms in your house. You can add or remove rooms and then create a list of the different items in each room. This will come in handy when it’s time to unpack. You can also request a moving quote or make moving estimates through the app.

3. Let’s Storage

As the name suggests, Let’s Storage is a storage management app that’s perfect for people who have items stored in multiple units.

This program allows you to track the items you have in different storage spaces and gives you a general idea of the total storage volume you need—a feature that is bound to come in handy when requesting transportation quotes for your move. Its useful search option allows you to find and track different items—you can even sort your items based on category, name, or moving destination.

4. MoveTools

Some people need a little help with their moving plans. For these individuals, MoveTools is a good fit. Created by State Farm Insurance, the app comes with a comprehensive list of things you need to do, all spread across a specific timeline.

Working with the app, you’ll be able to track your completed tasks while counting down to your moving date. It also gives you the ability to create a to-do list and offers an ingenious “smart label” feature, which allows you to mark each of your boxes and check the contents without even needing to open them.

5. Suddath’s Moving Guru

Need moving advice? Turn to Suddath. This iOS app comes with tons of useful tips that can help you plan your move over a 10-week period, with actionable advice offered through articles and video tips.

You can use the app to find professional movers around you, as well as to create a moving estimate based on your items. And once you’ve settled into your home, it offers a convenient “We’ve Moved” feature that allows you to share that information with the contacts in your phone.

6. SmartStop Self Storage’s Inventory Tracker

The problem with moving boxes is that, after a while, they all start to look the same. Oftentimes, the only difference is that some are larger than others. The SmartStop Inventory Tracker iOS app gives you a good way to track what items are where, preventing you from having to spend half your morning driving between storage facilities. Even better, this app is totally free to use.

7. Move Atlas

Available on the Android and iOS platforms, MoveAtlas is a robust application that’s packed with useful resources. Not only does it feature checklists of things you need to do to prepare for your moving day, it has a separate set of checklists for the day itself.

Offered free of charge, the app also comes with tons of packing tips and expert advice on how to best organize your moving schedule. The app’s tracking system also allows you to keep tab on your shipment if you use the Atlas Van Lines.

8. Moving Planner

How many things do you need to deal with before your moving date? Ten? Twenty? Try more than two hundred. Moving Planner is an invaluable Android app that offers you an extensive checklist to help get these key preparation steps under control.

The free moving checklist makes it easy for you to track what tasks you’ve already completed and what still needs to be handled. In addition to the default checklist, you can customize your own list for added flexibility.

9. Yelp

Settling into your new home isn’t the only thing that you have to deal with – you also need to get to know your neighborhood! You’ll need to find the right schools for your kids and figure out where the best restaurants are located. And if you need to grab a pizza, it helps to know just how far away the nearest place is.

This is where Yelp comes in. Available on Android and iOS, this community reviews app can help you to find the different necessities you’ll need to access around your neighborhood. With it, you’ll be able to find and choose different options for businesses and services based on the reviews left by other patrons, easing the stress of your relocation.

Get the Help You Need

Engineers are still a long way off from building a robot that can help take over your packing and moving preparations. But that said, there still plenty of helpful apps and resources that can ease the process.

Downloading moving apps on your smartphone or tablet can make the tedious process of moving a little easier by helping you to organize your packing, catalogue where each item is stored, and get quotes from the movers near you. You’ll still need to do some of the lifting, but the burden of moving will be a little lighter.

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Check Your Stuff Before You Wreck Your Stuff

There’s no question that storage units are convenient. If you plan to move to a new home and want to store some of your items away in the interim, chances are that one of your first calls will be to a storage facility.

Of course, the facility you choose matters. Storage units are not all created equal. For instance, not every storage unit offers climate control features, and some units restrict your hours of access. The following are some tips that will help you keep your stuff safe and sound – no matter what type of storage facility you choose – while you complete your move.

Protecting Your Stored Goods

Most people understand the importance of choosing a reliable storage unit. But in addition to choosing the right storage unit, you need to be careful of how you pack away your stored items—otherwise; you could very easily wreck them. The following is an overview of how to prepare different types of home items for storage:

Storing Dishware

Dishes do not handle rough treatment well. One wrong bump or a fall and you could end up with a carton full of broken china. Because of this, it’s vital that you take the proper precautions when packing your items.

Simply lumping dishes into a box is asking for trouble. Protect each one of your fragile pieces by wrapping them with packing paper. Avoid using newspaper if you can help it; the ink may be indelibly transferred to the dishes. A cheaper alternative is to pad them with towels, cloth, or any other soft fabric found around your home.

For dishes, you’ll need a stronger box than usual—something that will be able to handle the weight of the items. If you cannot find a stronger box, consider reinforcing your standard box by taping the sides and edges. If you can afford it, look for boxes with individual cells. These come in handy when you’re packing different kinds of dishes in the same box.

In addition, choose several smaller boxes over one large box. Smaller boxes mean your dishes will be lighter and easier to carry, reducing the risk of your dropping them. How you arrange your items is also important. When putting the pieces in, rest each plate on its side. You can make the most of the space by nesting similar pieces together.

Your cups should be placed rim down. Fill up any of the open spaces with scrunched packing paper, which will prevent your items from moving around while being carried.

Storing Books

Thanks to the compact size and uniform shape of books, they fit neatly into boxes—but you need to be careful how you pack them. Standing books on their ends will cause the spines to warp and bend over time. Instead, stack them flat on top of one another. Don’t pack too many books into one carton; split them into smaller boxes to make them easier to carry.

Before you pack your books away, clean the dust off of each one. Leaving the dust that accumulates over months of shelf storage causes books to deteriorate faster. Check between the pages to make sure there is nothing trapped within. Left for months in a storage box, papers or markers can damage the print.

It’s also important that you choose the right type of cardboard box. One of the downsides of using low quality cardboard boxes is that they tend to degrade very quickly, leaving your books exposed to the elements.

Once the books are in place, fill up the empty space with packing material. Avoid packing material that contains acid or lignin, as the pH of these substances can deteriorate books. For good measure, wrap your book storage boxes in plastic wrap, especially if you are stacking them against a wall.

Storing Metal Items

The primary risk when storing metal items is rust and corrosion. You can prevent this by carefully cleaning each metal item before storing it away. Protect smaller items by wrapping them in plastic bags or non-acidic tissue paper. If you have a larger metal object, have it rubbed down with a little oil before covering it with wrapping material.

Handling Electrical Equipment

Take pains to store your appliances carefully. Most types of electrical equipment are sensitive to humidity and fluctuating temperatures. If you still have them, the original boxes for your electronics are a good choice, as they provide an easy, compact fit for your appliances. However, if you do not have the original boxes, you can also store your appliances by packing them into cartons.

If you’re packing multiple items into the same box, make sure that each item is carefully wrapped before you transfer it. Check to make sure your items are securely positioned so they don’t get damaged as a result of jostling during the transfer.

Finally, for large appliances – like refrigerators or freezers – make sure that their interiors are clean and dry before packing them away. Be sure to leave the door slightly ajar to allow for circulation.

Storing Furniture

To preserve the beauty of your favorite furniture pieces, make sure you protect them properly. If you have any assembled pieces of furniture, disassemble the units and have the individual parts wrapped and stored in bubble wrap or paper. Group related pieces together so you don’t have to look far for them once you’ve completed your move.

If you have furniture pieces with glass or sensitive surfaces, protect these by covering the fragile areas with packing paper or a sheet. Wrap the legs of your sofa with plastic wrap to protect them from scratches. Before you put your mattress away, have it wrapped in plastic. Never store a damp mattress, as this will result in the growth of mold and mildew.

What to Avoid

Not every item is a good fit for storage. For example, it’s generally a bad idea to store incendiary items. Things like paint, oil, diesel, or gas shouldn’t be stored with your regular household belongings. Leaving such items lying around doesn’t just put your belongings at risk—it also puts the items of other tenants whose storage units are near yours in danger.

You should also consider alternative storage options for your valuable items, like jewelry or prized paintings. These items require increased security and may be more susceptible to damage within your storage unit.

Final Reminders

Don’t forget to clearly mark each box with its contents so that you know exactly what each carton contains. You should also note that sensitive items like clothing and furniture are best stored in a climate-controlled unit. If you can’t find a climate-controlled unit, be sure to purchase a moisture-absorbing system to protect your items from exposure to the elements.

Above all, make a habit of checking your stored items regularly. This way, if any item is in danger of being damaged, you’ll spot the risk sooner (rather than when it’s too late). If you take the right steps, your items should do fine in storage—just be smart when you’re packing and loading in your items.

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7 Ways to Save Money While Moving

Moving can be an emotional period. Part of it comes from the strain of leaving a familiar neighborhood for a new one. But in addition to the emotional aspects of the experience, moving can be quite expensive, especially if you don’t take the time to plan it out.

Most people have different views on the best ways to handle a move. However, if you are looking for ways to save money while moving, the following seven tips are a great place to start.

1. Don’t Move Everything

Don’t always listen to your heart. You do not have to move everything. One of the benefits of moving is that it gives you the opportunity to conduct a frank appraisal of your junk—and if you’ve been living in the same place for two or more years, there is bound to be junk.

Get rid of anything you no longer need. If you haven’t used an item in over a year, or reread a magazine since you bought it, it’s probably going to stay unused. Don’t forget that the more items you carry with you, the more you’ll spend on moving or storage.

Downscaling your load also gives you a way to raise some money for your move. The weekend before your moving date, you can hold a yard sale to get rid of some of your things. If you plan to do this, make sure you set aside enough time to plan for the yard sale, so it doesn’t affect your moving schedule.

2. Move During Low-Traffic Windows

If you have the opportunity, schedule your move date to fall in the middle of the month. Most people move at the start and end of the month, which means moving companies have a lot of business during that time period. Most people also prefer to move on a weekend.

If you schedule your move for an odd time—in the middle of the week and the middle of the month—you will have less competition from other moving customers and will be in a better position to negotiate lower rates.

For the same reason, moving between the months of October and March can help you trim your expenses. Fewer people move outside of the spring and summer months. If you don’t have a deadline to meet, waiting until this time comes could earn you significant discounts.

3. Avoid Last-Minute Moves

Trying to plan a move at the last possible second is the surest way to rack up a large bill. You’ll end up paying more for almost everything.

The moving company will cost more. You’ll pay more for boxes, and you’ll have very little time to plan. To save money, it’s best to start planning your move at least a month in advance. Among other things, this will give you time to shop for quotes from different movers.

4. Take Advantage of Tax Deductions

Not everyone is eligible for a moving expense deduction. To qualify for this tax break, you must be moving to a location where the distance between your home and workplace is at least 50 miles greater than it was before you moved.

It sounds a lot more complicated than it actually is. This means that if you had to travel 10 miles every day to get to the office from your old home, your job would now need to be at least 60 miles (50 plus 10) from your new home for you to benefit from the tax deduction. If your job falls within this description, be sure to save the proper documents to demonstrate your eligibility.

5. Don’t Pay For Boxes Unless You Have To

During a move, you need boxes. That’s a given. But there’s no rule that says you have to buy them. Most people buy cardboard boxes from moving companies, and that’s a good thing. The boxes sold by moving companies are strong, resilient, and have low pH levels, so they don’t affect your items.

But if you can’t afford to buy boxes from a moving company, there are other ways to find them. There are plenty of boxes available, but the key is to pick resilient ones. You will find discarded double-walled cardboard boxes at laboratories and hospitals—they’re used for shipping medical supplies.

Other great places to look for boxes include restaurants and bookstores. And if you live close to a recycling plant, try paying them a visit as well.

6. Consider Pods

Moving doesn’t always have to involve trucks. If you have a limited number of items to move, consider using a storage pod.

Pods can save you a lot of money. You simply have them dropped off outside your home, load them up, and then have them carted to your destination. You can save even more if you load the pods yourself.

7. Get Friends to Help

Instead of hiring moving professionals, get friends and family members to help you out on moving day. It will save you money and make the moving process a lot more fun. You don’t have to pay friends, but you can reward their efforts with ice-cold lemonade or the promise of a meal.

The Bottom Line

Even with all these tips, it’s still important that you find a good moving company—one that won’t try to trick you by racking up the bill on made-up services. Before you choose a company, review its past performance. Check its Better Business Bureau profile to see if there have been any complaints lodged against the company, and if so, in what areas.

But ultimately, don’t focus on the price alone. Look for companies that offer reliable service. The last thing you want is to settle for a cheap moving company and end up in your new home with several boxes of broken china and damaged electronics. If the company can’t get the job done, it won’t matter how much you saved.

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10 Essential Hacks for Last Minute Moves

Planning a move on short notice is not easy. For one, it doesn’t give you very much time to organize and prepare. That’s why most experts recommend that people take a month or two to plan their relocations. Still, just because it’s difficult, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

If you just got a job in another part of the state and you’re faced with the sudden prospect of a move, the following are ten useful tips that can help you make the most of the short timeline that you’re working with.

1. Do Not Panic

Squeezing your move into a few days will be hectic. However, panicking will only make it worse. Don’t dwell on how much you have to do. Take things in stride.

If you panic, you will find it harder to concentrate, which, in turn, will increase the risk that you’ll make mistakes or forget important details. Create a checklist of all the things you have to do and complete them one by one. If you own a smartphone, consider downloading moving apps to help you organize your thoughts.

2. Get Some Help

A good way to achieve more in less time is to get assistance. Invite friends or family over to help you pack. You can assign specific tasks to different people. For instance, have one person help you pack up your books and assign another to do the kitchen.

Asking your friends to help offers several benefits. It lessens the psychological strain that occurs during a move. Your friends are also likely to be a lot more effective at packing your things, since they aren’t emotionally attached to your items. Instead of trying to sort all of your Harry Potter novels into one corner of the same box, your friends will focus on getting the books packed as neatly and efficiently as possible.

More to the point, if you have a few extra hands, you’ll be able to achieve more within the short moving window without feeling overwhelmed. And don’t forget to keep your friends motivated with lots of coffee!

3. Secure Important Documents

Certain things are irreplaceable. Look for those first. When push comes to shove, you can buy a new couch or a new TV set, but replacing things like your medical records, financial documents, or your child’s school report is a lot more difficult. Before you pack anything, make sure that you have all your important documents collected and kept in a secure location.

4. Eat Takeout

Cooking a meal takes an average of 15 to 45 minutes, and after that, you’ll need at least another five minutes to wash the dishes. So why bother? You could be using that time to handle other tasks.

Make the most of the time you have by ordering in or eating takeout. It’ll free you up, giving you more time to focus on actual packing. You only have to last for a few days. Once you’ve completed your move, you can return to eating home-cooked meals.

5. Find a Place to Live

Depending on the reasons behind your move, you may or may not already have a place to stay. If you don’t, use online apartment listings to find an affordable place to live—at least in the short term.

If you’re moving to a new city, staying in temporary housing will give you the opportunity to learn more about your new location. You can get a feel for the neighborhood and be able to make a more informed decision about where you want to settle down.

6. Plan on a Single Trip

In situations where you’re moving to another home only a few miles away, you may be tempted to make multiple trips with your car. But moving your things a few boxes at a time will actually take a lot longer than moving them all at once. Instead, get a large truck and move most or all of your items in a single trip. This way, you won’t need to waste valuable time on the road.

7. Find a Moving Company

Moving is generally easier with the help of a moving company. Most companies offer a combination of services that can soothe the moving process. For instance, you’ll find moving companies that can handle the packing, moving, and unpacking phases of your relocation.

Granted, choosing this option will end up costing you more, but it will also take away a lot of the stress of the process. The downside to moving quickly and on short notice is that you’ll find it a lot more difficult to negotiate bargain rates with the moving company—but you can still lower the cost by using tricks such as moving in the middle of the week, when customer traffic is lower.

8. Put Your Items in Storage

If you’re faced with a looming moving date and you don’t have enough time to plan an organized move, or if you’re staying in temporary housing, consider putting your items in storage.

Storage units are a convenient solution. This way, you won’t have to worry about where your items will be while you hunt for a new home. With the pressure off your back, you will be able to take your time choosing the right home.

9. Cancel Your Utilities When You Leave

Obviously, if you’re leaving your home, you will need to cancel your utilities—but don’t do this until you’ve actually packed up and left. The last thing you want is for the company to cut water and power a day or two before your moving date.

Once you’ve safely moved your items to your new home, reach out to the utility providers. Generally, it’s best to do this the day after your move.

10. Believe You Can

Finally, having the right attitude makes all the difference. If you’re constantly questioning your abilities and letting stress get the best of you, you’ll find it difficult to achieve much. But with the right can-do attitude, you’ll be a lot more efficient, focused, and organized.

Even if you have a short moving timeline to work with, you can still get everything done without caving in to your anxiety and making mistakes. Keep a clear head, remember these tips, and get moving!

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Self Storage for Students in Nashville

We can picture it now. Summer has come and gone, classes are right around the corner and you’ve got new roommates to deal with. You are beginning to think about what you’re going to do this fall and how you will get along with your new roomies. Everything is fast paced and hectic and that’s without even thinking about packing everything up for this fall. If you are tired of continually lugging all of your stuff home with you for the summer only to bring it back in the fall, we have the perfect solution for you. Consider renting a self storage unit. Below are some tips on how to locate a great Nashville self storage facility near Belmont University.

Before you begin looking for a storage facility near campus there are a few questions you need to answer. Will you need access to the storage unit often or are you simply going to put your possessions in there and go home for the summer? Are you going to be storing electronics, computers, stereos, TV’s or art? If so, you will need to look into climate controlled storage units for better protection against the heat in the summer. Do you need top of the line security at the facility? Once you answer these questions you are on your way to finding the perfect storage unit.

If your parents live out of state or further away from campus, you will most likely pack all of your stuff in storage for the summer and not touch it until you return for fall classes. Since you do not need frequent access to the storage unit, you can simply pack the unit without much regard for what goes where as long as it all fits. If you need frequent access, put the stuff you will need to use towards the front of the unit so you don’t have to dig through all of your belongings to get to the back of the unit for the 3 books you needed. If you have room, leave a walkway access from the front to the back of the unit so you can reach all of your possessions easily.

Since you will probably need to store your belongings for about 3 months, you may want to take extra precautions in storing boxes directly on the ground. If the storage unit somehow gets wet, boxes on the ground will get saturated and possibly ruin items inside. If you can, stack boxes on a pallet or on shelves so they wont get wet.

Lastly, determine if you require a climate controlled storage unit for your belongings. Climate controlled storage units are great for items like paintings, art, electronics, computers, TV’s, stereos and leather furniture. The temperature in these units is set at a constant and the air is constantly circulating so there is no chance of mold, mildew or bacteria ruining your possessions.

To find the perfect storage facility around campus, simply use our convenient search function. There you should find several facilities near campus which offer affordable, safe storage options. Currently there are over a dozen storage facilities within 10 miles of campus and you won’t even have to cross the Cumberland River or the 440. Narrow down your search based on the criteria you deem important and then find the closest or most affordable facility for you.

These tips will have you on your way to finding the perfect storage unit for you and your belongings over summer break. Use SelfStorageFinders.com to easily and quickly find a storage unit near Belmont University campus.

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Self Storage REITs Pacing the Competition

The Real Estate Investment Trusts are reporting robust earnings for the first quarter of 2013. Many of the REITs, especially in the self storage industry, are posting huge gains, even exceeding Wall Street expectations. A recent Wall Street Journal article provided more information about the REIT sector.

The self storage REITs are benefitting from strong demand and increased monthly prices on storage units. With the economy slowly rebounding, storage facilities can once again begin raising rates to customers without much fallback. Extra Space seemed to benefit the most with a record high occupancy rate of 88.6% companywide which boosted revenue 7.5% and Net Operating Income 10.8%.

Apartment complexes and other commercial real estate are growing but at a slower pace than in the past due to lackluster employment and more competition. The slowly improving economy has allowed landlords to slightly raise rents which are contributing to a larger bottom line. In addition, occupancy rates are slightly up as well.

Larger apartment REITs are reporting strong rental growth but could face a slowdown because of rising competition and more people purchasing homes. During a conference call, David Stockert, CEO of Post Properties said, “Apartment REITs are moving into a new phase of the multifamily housing cycle, a more typical phase, characterized by higher levels of apartment supply and incrementally greater competition from for-sale housing. The competition will result in a more sensitive trade-off between pushing rents and sustaining high occupancy.”

Self storage operators continuously deal with the issue of rental rates and occupancy. While some may think it is great to be 100% full there are opportunity costs one must consider. We wrote about the issues with having 100% occupancy a few months back and there are several problems with being full. Increased competition from new developers and lost revenue from not raising rates are two big issues. What is the best course of action for your storage facility? Take some time to research your area, competition and customers. It will most likely be different for each facility and town.

One index which tracks 51 REITs with nearly $500 billion in assets, increased 1% in April and showed values have fully recovered the ground which was lost during the Great Recession and are hovering above 2007 peak levels. This is good news and seems to mean we are pulling out of the recession, slowly recovering and should continue to see good growth in the self storage REIT sector.

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SSF Daily Hot Links: 8/2/2013

Below are the SSF Daily Hot Links for your self storage enjoyment. Comments, questions or more content? Send what you have and we will publish it!

Australian Self-Storage Operator Kennards Wins Zoning Approval From Wollongong Council

he Wollongong City Council recently voted 9-1 in favor of a special-use zoning change that should enable Kennards Self Storage of Australia to build a proposed storage facility within the Kemblawarra Business Park. The council approved self-storage as a permissible light-industrial use within the heavy-industrial zoned area.  http://www.insideselfstorage.com/news/2013/07/australian-selfstorage-operator-kennards-wins-zoning-approval-from-wollongong-council.aspx

Sovran Self Storage (SSS) Posts Quarterly Earnings, Beats Estimates

Sovran Self Storage announced its earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $0.94 EPS for the quarter, beating the Thomson Reuters consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.04, StockRatingsNetwork.com reports.  http://utahpeoplespost.com/2013/07/sovran-self-storage-sss-posts-quarterly-earnings-beats-estimates-by-0-04-eps/

Longmont, CO, Self-Storage Company Fined for Dumping Sewage Into Reservoir

A Longmont, Colo., man and his self-storage company, East Point LLC, have been charged with knowingly dumping a pollutant into Union Reservoir and must pay $20,000 in fines, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Denver.   http://www.insideselfstorage.com/news/2013/07/longmont-selfstorage-company-fined-for-dumping-sewage-into-reservoir.aspx

Victor Valley Self Storage Trades For $3.3M

A family trust purchased the Victor Valley self-storage facility at 12250 Ridgecrest Rd. in Victorville, CA for $3.3 million, or about $50 per square foot, from a private trust.  http://www.costar.com/News/Article/Victor-Valley-Self-Storage-Trades-For-$33M/150671

Internet-Marketing Don’ts for Self-Storage Operators: Counting the Cost of Action and Inaction

Marketing experts spend a lot of time telling people what theyshould do when it comes to promoting their business; but it can be just as helpful to know what not to do, especially when it comes to Internet marketing.  http://www.insideselfstorage.com/articles/2013/08/internetmarketing-donts-for-selfstorage-operators-counting-the-cost-of-action-and-inaction.aspx

Farmers warned of VAT self storage issues

There is often confusion over some on-farm activities or services where space is made available for other commercial concerns, whether this is for storage, or for another business (for instance as a craft centre or antique outlet), and the VAT rules that apply. The recent decision of the First Tier Tribunal in the Antiques Within Ltd case helps to clarify one area to a degree.  http://www.farminguk.com/news/Farmers-warned-of-VAT-self-storage-issues_26104.html

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Self storage operator San Diego Self Storage hosted an e-waste event after partnering with Recycle San Diego.

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Self Storage Trends, Uhaul offers free storage, Open Tech Alliance is 10

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DIY Moving Tips

Some tips to make your DIY #move a smooth one. #storage #selfstorage #moving http://ow.ly/nqbxF 

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Store your Patio Furniture

What do you do with your patio furniture when the weather turns? #storage #selfstorage #moving http://ow.ly/nqbf8 

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SSF Daily Hot Links: 7/29/2013

Below are the SSF Daily Hot Links for your self storage enjoyment. Comments, questions or more content? Send what you have and we will publish it!

The ‘Smart’ Cell-Tower Lease and How Self-Storage Owners Can Get One

There are thousands of cell-tower and rooftop leases on self-storage properties throughout North America, but how many of these leases are “smart”? What does this mean? The answer is pretty simple, but for some reason, it has been ignored by self-storage companies of all types and sizes until now.  http://www.insideselfstorage.com/articles/2013/07/the-smart-celltower-lease-and-how-selfstorage-owners-can-get-one.aspx

Storquest storage adds truck rentals

Storquest Self Storage, at 151 N. Lewis Road, has added U-Haul truck rentals to the storage business it has run since 2012.  http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/jul/27/business-briefs/

Can Self-Storage Operators Climate Control Their Business?

Self-storage operators regularly market the climate-controlled features of their facilities but can they apply the same principles to their business operation and its ability to withstand the impact from an extreme-weather event?   http://www.insideselfstorage.com/blogs/scoop/2013/07/can-self-storage-operators-climate-control-their-business.aspx

Compass Self Storage Enters Chicago Market With Acquisition of Lansing, IL, Facility

The Amsdell family of companies has acquired a self-storage facility in Lansing, Ill., marking the entry of Compass Self Storage LLC into the Greater Chicago market.  http://www.insideselfstorage.com/news/2013/07/compass-self-storage-enters-chicago-market-with-acquisition-of-lansing-il-facility.aspx

ISS Store Adds 2Q 2013 National and MSA Self-Storage Reports from Cushman & Wakefield

The Inside Self-Storage Store, an e-commerce website providing on-demand insight and education products for self-storage professionals, is now offering second-quarter 2013 industry reports produced by the Self Storage Industry Group (SSIG) of commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield.   http://www.insideselfstorage.com/news/2013/07/iss-store-adds-2q-2013-national-and-msa-self-storage-reports-from-cushman–wakefield.aspx

Police investigate storage unit break-ins

Lewiston police are investigating a break-in at more than a dozen storage units late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.  http://www.wlbz2.com/news/article/251111/3/Police-investigate-storage-unit-break-ins

How toxic waste turned the heart of Silicon Valley into a self-storage complex

 It’s a tale of how tech companies polluted the land, and how they tried and are still trying to fix the damage they caused; a lasting Silicon Valley history lesson, part warning and part simple acknowledgement of where today’s technology came from.  http://www.theverge.com/2013/7/26/4560832/center-of-silicon-valley-is-a-superfund-site

Moore Family’s Heirlooms Survive Tornado, Get Stolen From Storage Facility

A family is gripping with the reality that they may never see some heirlooms again, even though the priceless mementos made it through the Moore tornado. An apparent thief stole the items from a storage unit on Wednesday.   http://www.news9.com/story/22944069/moore-familys-heirlooms-survive-tornado-get-stolen-from-storage-facility

Police: Garfield man suspected in burglaries at Clifton self-storage center 

Detective Sgt. Robert Bracken said Kurt Bilin, 28, of Garfield was caught Wednesday as he was breaking into a rental unit at Extra Space Storage at 515 Broad St. http://www.northjersey.com/clifton/Police_Garfield_man_suspected_in_burglaries_at_Clifton_self-storage_center.html

Investment Company Business Property Trust Acquires Arizona Self-Storage Facility

Business Property Trust, a Portland, Ore.-based investment company specializing in small-business industrial properties and self-storage facilities, recently purchased Camelback & Grand Self Storage in Glendale, Ariz., for $212,000.   http://www.insideselfstorage.com/news/2013/07/investment-company-business-property-trust-acquires-arizona-self-storage-facility.aspx

Why It May Be Worthwhile to Defease Now Rather Than Wait for Self-Storage Loan Maturity

Borrowers are often fearful of defeasance, but why? With the recent low interest-rate environment fresh in everyone’s minds, defeasance has built up a negative connotation among owners and brokers—particularly those associated with self-storage properties—with many loans being assumed rather than defeased over the last few years.  http://www.insideselfstorage.com/articles/2013/07/why-it-may-be-worthwhile-to-defease-now-rather-than-wait-for-selfstorage-loan-maturity.aspx

Go Mini’s Moving and Portable Storage Hires Franchise-Development Salesperson

Go Mini’s Moving and Portable Storage has hired David Silver as a franchise-development salesperson to help the company grow its franchise footprint across the United States, Canada and Latin America.  http://www.insideselfstorage.com/news/2013/07/go-minis-moving-and-portable-storage-hires-franchise-development-salesperson.aspx

Storage Wars: New York’ becomes part of ‘Da Bronx Tale’ on A&E 

On Tuesday night’s first episode of “Storage Wars: New York,” the auction takes place in Bronx, N.Y. The main characters as introduced are; the Legend (Joe P), the Loudmouth (Chris) and the Conscience (Tad), the Flame (Candy) and the Firecracker (Courtney) and the Hustler (Mike) with the familiar theme song “Money Owns This Town” played with a different beat.  http://www.examiner.com/article/storage-wars-new-york-becomes-part-of-da-bronx-tale-on-a-e

Illinois Self Storage Association to Host Annual Owners Summit & Expo, Aug. 5

The Illinois Self Storage Association (ISSA) will host its 2013 Great Lakes Self Storage Owners Summit & Expo on Aug. 5 at the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Chicago.  http://www.insideselfstorage.com/news/2013/07/illinois-self-storage-association-to-host-annual-owners-summit-and-expo-aug-5.aspx

Local Developer to Build Four-Story Self-Storage Facility in West Ashley, SC

Real estate developer Quattlebaum Development Co. is building a four-story self-storage facility in West Ashley, S.C., that will be managed by Extra Space Storage Inc.  http://www.insideselfstorage.com/news/2013/07/local-developer-to-build-four-story-self-storage-facility-in-west-ashley-sc.aspx

Sounds of Storage Podcast: Susan Haviland Talks Customer Service and Its Impact on Profitability

During this informative podcast, Inside Self-Storage Store Manager Tony Jones speaks with Susan Haviland, owner of Haviland Storage Services, about the role good customer service plays in the profitability of self-storage businesses and some of the most common mistakes operators tend to make.  http://www.insideselfstorage.com/articles/2013/07/sounds-of-storage-podcast-susan-haviland-talks-customer-service-and-its-impact-on-profitability.aspx

Xeleum LED Lighting Selected for a Second Safe Haven Storage Location

Safe Haven Self Storage announced today that it has selected Xeleum Lighting to convert its self storage facility located in Elmsford, New York to LED lighting, based upon the success of the earlier conversion to Xeleum LED lighting at its Mount Kisco location.  http://www.fortmilltimes.com/2013/07/25/2844516/xeleum-led-lighting-selected-for.html

[selfstoragefinders-blog]

My Moving Experience - Part 2

This is a continuation of my moving experience from KC to Chicago. You can find part 1 here. Part 2 is (and seems like always will be) an ongoing process. Below are the details.

Step 8: Finding a New Home

When we left off, we were just loading our stuff onto the POD and moving up to Chicago.

Luckily, we have a friend who was most gracious as to allow us to take over her townhouse while we searched for a new home. This allowed us to save money on rent and utilities though I’m positive it drove her a bit nuts. Because we were living with a friend in tight quarters, we wanted to get a quick jump on home searching.

We found a great realtor who showed us about 20 properties in 3 days. Like most home searches, some of the homes we saw had good potential and some we shouldn’t have even walked in. The process of searching for a home is much more relaxing and less stressful than trying to sell your home. We could finally go in and “critique” other people’s homes in order to find exactly what we wanted.

Over the course of 3 days we managed to find a great house which should be a great fit for our family. We offered and it was accepted the same day, though it was a bit more complicated and stressful for my wife. We decided to make an offer on the house and offered a bit less than asking price. We were then informed that our offer was the 3rd or 4th offer on the house that day and the house was only on the market for 3 days! We decided to re-offer with our best offer, which was asking price. Our realtor informed us later in the day our offer had been accepted and we would again be homeowners. The process was extremely easy and smooth again though my wife was a bit stressed when she realized we may not get the house due to others offering as well.

Step 9: Housing Fixes

I intentionally left out the closing portion of this because there was really nothing to report. The closing was smooth as smooth gets and took about an hour and a half.

Once we closed on the home and waited 30 days for the owners to move, the house was ours. The house was in great condition and we didn’t have much to do aesthetically. The roof, gutters, siding, water heater and office hardwood floors were all only 2 years old, meaning most of the potentially big expenses we didn’t have to worry about. We did want to paint several rooms and redo the hardwood floors in the main living area though.

Luckily again, we had some friends we knew who were looking for work and could paint and refinish floors for us. These friends have their own businesses so it’s not like we were just hiring friends to do this stuff even though they didn’t know what they were doing. The refinishing of the floors and painting took about a week to complete and turned out great. It also saved us a bit of money since we hired friends to do the work, which is nice.

Step 10: Moving/storage

Once all of our updates were completed we were ready to finally move into our new home. I called PODS a week or 2 before I knew we would want to move in order to schedule the drop off. I planned the delivery of both PODS to be delivered on a Saturday morning and picked up and sent back to the PODS facility on Tuesday. This was probably too long of a window but I wanted to be sure we got all of our possessions out and in the house in time without having to rush.

Our entire lives were in 2 PODs for nearly 3 months. Although we had been to the facility and opened the PODs once previously, we were still a bit nervous with regards to the condition of our belongings. The PODs were driven from Kansas City to Chicago, then sat in a warehouse for 3 months and then was transferred from the facility to our home. That is a good bit of travel for electronics, TV’s, clothes, beds etc. We felt we packed efficiently but you never know how your contents will shift.

Moving day came and the PODs were delivered, albeit a bit later than what they had told me on the phone. The first POD was delivered about an hour late of the 2 hour window they gave me but it didn’t matter much to us as we had our “helpers” arriving late as well.

Once the POD arrived, the driver used his “PODzilla” as he called it, in order to remove the POD from the truck. He placed the POD on one side of the driveway so the other POD could fit on the opposite side. The only other issue we had with PODs is that on his way out of our driveway, he clipped a tree and knocked down a branch. Again, we didn’t care but if we were tree lovers, it may have been a problem.

Once the POD was dropped off, we anxiously opened it to find our belongings…..safe and secure just as we left them. We were surprised nothing was damaged or even toppled over. (Large credit to our expert packing and small credit to the POD’s employees  ). We hastily but carefully unpacked our first POD in less than an hour and then waited about an hour for the second POD which had more of the smaller stuff (boxes, tables, dishes etc.) The first POD had almost all of our big furniture and although it was heavy to move in, it was easy knowing we had the big stuff done already.

We bought lunch and drinks for everyone while we waited for the other POD to arrive. Once we ate, some of our helpers had to leave as the second POD arrived. We still had plenty of hands and time to remove the boxes and smaller items. Virtually everything in the second POD could be handled by one person and wasn’t heavy so it was an easy moving process. The second POD was in great condition as well and nothing was broken or moved. There was a fist sized hole in the side of the POD which they attempted to patch over but our items were not damaged so everything was fine with us.

It took a few hours to empty both PODs and we had a few friends stay around to help us put some items in their place in the house. We bought dinner for those who were left over, had a few cold beers and called it a night.

Step 11: Moving into Our New Home

It has been about two weeks since we moved into our new home and so far it has been great. We still don’t have everything in its own place yet but that takes time. We are awaiting some new furniture which we purchased as well but it is finally starting to feel like home as we get back into a routine. Overall, the moving, storage and home buying/selling process was much smoother than we had anticipated. Thank you to all of the friends, family, co-workers, agents and PODs who helped make the process as hassle free as possible. Hopefully we won’t have to do this again for at least a decade. 

[selfstoragefinders-blog]

[selfstoragefinders-blog]

SSF Daily Hot Links: 7/23/2013

Below are the SSF Daily Hot Links for your self storage enjoyment. Comments, questions or more content? Send what you have and we will publish it!

Self-Storage Facility Opens on Former Drive-In Movie Property in Kearney, NE

Self-storage operator Sixth Street Development LLC has opened its second facility in Kearney, Neb., on a lot that once housed a drive-in movie theater.  http://www.insideselfstorage.com/news/2013/07/self-storage-facility-opens-on-former-drive-in-movie-property-in-kearney-ne.aspx

IRS to Auction Thousands of Clothing Items at Uncle Bob’s Self Storage Facility in Alabama

Thousands of new men’s and women’s clothing items will be auctioned this Thursday by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at an Uncle Bob’s Self Storage facility in Opelika, Ala.  http://www.insideselfstorage.com/news/2013/07/irs-to-auction-thousands-of-clothing-items-at-uncle-bobs-self-storage-facility-in-alabama.aspx

Burglars hit storage units in N. Yarmouth, New Gloucester

The first batch was reported early Friday when customers at Walnut Hill self-storage in North Yarmouth discovered the locks on their storage units had been cut and items, including clothing, furniture, electronics and tools were stolen.  http://www.pressherald.com/news/Burglars-hit-self-storage-units-in-North-Yarmouth-and-New-Gloucester-.html

Fire breaks out at Suffern self-storage facility

A small electrical fire at a storage facility Monday brought out 25 firefighters from this village and Tallman.  http://www.lohud.com/article/20130722/NEWS03/307220029/Fire-breaks-out-Suffern-self-storage-facility?nclick_check=1

[selfstoragefinders-blog]

SSF Daily Hot Links: 7/22/2013

Below are the SSF Daily Hot Links for your self storage enjoyment. Comments, questions or more content? Send what you have and we will publish it!

Staying Competitive in Your Self-Storage Career: Investing in Skills and Re-Education

Today’s job market is changing at an incredibly fast pace. To stay competitive, safeguard your career and ensure you can always find new work in the future, you should be continually updating your knowledge and skills.  http://www.insideselfstorage.com/articles/2013/07/staying-competitive-in-your-selfstorage-career-investing-in-skills-and-reeducation.aspx

Fate of Kennards self-storage facility at stake

Self-storage units were previously allowed in the park, which is zoned for heavy industry. But they were prohibited when the current Local Environment Plan came into effect that year.  http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1651862/fate-of-kennards-self-storage-facility-at-stake/?cs=12

Personal Mini Storage Partners with a Gift for Teaching for Back-to-school Drive

Personal Mini Storage Management Co. today launched its annual back-to-school drive to help A Gift For Teaching (AGFT) stock its shelves with new school supplies for the 2013-2014 school year.   http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/7/prweb10942654.htm

EasyStorageSearch.com Reveals Portable Self-Storage Survey Results

EasyStorageSearch.com has established a new survey, asking its users how they feel about this costly new trend—and the results are surprising.  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/7/prweb10945025.htm

The Lock Up Announces The Grand Opening Of Its Chicago-Galewood Self Storage Location

The Lock Up Self Storage is excited to announce the most recent addition to their Chicago locations.  http://www.dailymarkets.com/stock/2013/07/20/the-lock-up-announces-the-grand-opening-of-its-chicago-galewood-self-storage-location/

Chicago-based Self-Storage Operator LifeStorage Expands Presence in Nevada

Chicago-based self-storage operator LifeStorage is in the process of expanding its presence in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nev.   http://www.insideselfstorage.com/news/2013/07/chicago-based-self-storage-operator-lifestorage-expands-presence-in-nevada.aspx

Stor-All Storage Acquires Self-Storage Facility in Lone Tree, CO

Self-storage operator Stor-All Storage acquired Park Meadows Self Storage, an 81,000-square-foot facility in Lone Tree, Colo.  http://www.insideselfstorage.com/news/2013/07/storall-storage-acquires-selfstorage-facility.aspx

Morningstar Properties Acquires 14th Self-Storage Facility in Houston Market

Self-storage operator Morningstar Properties LLC has acquired a facility in Houston, expanding its presence in the metro area to 14 properties and more than 949,000 square feet.  http://www.insideselfstorage.com/news/2013/07/morningstar-properties-acquires-14th-self-storage-facility-in-houston-market.aspx

5 Strategies to Boost Your Self-Storage Facility’s Online Reviews

There’s no denying online reviews of your self-storage business are extremely important. Not only do they help with local search engine optimization (SEO), but data shows consumers trust reviews when making decisions on which products to buy.  http://www.insideselfstorage.com/articles/2013/07/5-strategies-to-boost-your-selfstorage-facilitys-online-reviews.aspx

Two face charges in thefts from Greenwood storage units

A pair of suspects were charged this week after being linked to a ring of thefts from area storage units.  http://www.indexjournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=40&ArticleID=19807

Competitive Eater Kobayashi Sets Cupcake-Eating World Record at Uncle Bob’s Self Storage

Competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi broke the world record for the most cupcakes eaten in one minute on July 13 when he consumed 13 of the tasty treats at an Uncle Bob’s Self Storage facility in Upper Saddle River, N.J. The previous record was 12. Kobayashi followed that feat by drinking a gallon of milk in about 20 seconds.  http://www.insideselfstorage.com/news/2013/07/competitive-eater-kobayashi-sets-cupcake-eating-world-record-at-uncle-bobs-self-storage.aspx