III 2013 – A Macro Look at Today’s Self Storage Market

While self-storage owners are enjoying a surge in occupancies, revenues and most importantly, property values, the U.S. economy continues to work through some messy politics while still registering modest growth. In the face of tax increases and the sequester budget cuts, the U.S. GDP is still on pace to grow around 2% in the first quarter of 2013. Self-storage continues to benefit from the mobility of the U.S. population with more than 36 million people relocating in 2012, an increase of 2.5% from the record low of 35.1 million in 2011, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

II 2013 – Fact vs. Fiction: Today’s Cap Rates

Because we are in the business of helping our clients buy and sell self storage properties all around the country, it is often difficult to answer the fundamental question that seems to come up at the end of almost every conversation: What are cap rates today?

I 2013 – Back From the Fiscal Cliff: Now What?

It is very clear that the fiscal cliff bill was one of the largest economic and political issues to face the country in more than a decade. It is also concerning that the bill was drafted over a long weekend by sleep-deprived politicians and then agreed to by what seems to be two very adversarial political parties. In short, this solution may only be a Band-Aid for the current issues facing the country as it leaves many big issues unresolved.

XII 2012 – It’s Been a Good Ride!

The holidays are upon us and optimism is certainly present in today’s real estate market. The includes self storage which continues its Cinderella storage, evolving from the “homely step-sister” to the best performing commercial real estate. Let’s take a look at what got us to this point.

XI 2012 – A Note of Thanks

This time of year, we find ourselves reflecting on the things that we are grateful for and the people that mean the most to us. Here at Argus, we are most thankful for the men and women who work hard every day to serve the needs of their self storage clients. The Argus Self Storage Sales Network is made up of over 75 self storage professionals (Argus Broker Affiliates) around the country who are helping their clients navigate the buying and selling process. We feel it is time for Argus to recognize and congratulate the Argus Affiliates and their respective teams around the country.

X 2012 – Deal Structure: Understanding the Impact

If you are in the market as a buyer or seller of a self-storage facility, it is important to understand that the structure of the purchase is as important as the purchase price. As with any negotiation, the buying and selling parties must identify what factors they will weigh during the decision making process.

IX 2012 – Time to Take a Look at the Big Picture

2012 is a year that has been marked by the political “rock and roll” of the election season, and if you are like me, it is difficult to predict what the rest of the year or next year will bring. However, no matter what side of the aisle you sit on, if you consider the debt levels the US economy is embarking on with no debt reduction plan in place, it is obvious we are moving quickly into uncharted waters.

VIII 2012 – Reputation Management: Your Online Presence Says A Lot About Your Business

Everyone has an opinion. This statement has always been true, but in today’s ultra-connected, social media-oriented world, opinions are much easier to share (and harder to erase). Why is this important to self storage operators? The image that you project online is one of the primary reasons that people will choose to rent from your facility.

VII 2012 – Cap Rates and NOI: Understanding the Real Value Equation

In last month’s Market Monitor, I described the major factors that owners should consider when evaluating whether or not they are a real seller (Personal Issues, Increased Competition, Capital Gains Tax, and Cap Rates/Ability to Finance). In this same light, I think it is important to review the formula or equation that one uses to arrive at Net Operating Income (NOI) because it is as variable and important as the Cap Rate when calculating value.

VI 2012 – Are You a Real Seller?

Looking back at the first 6 months of 2012, there is no doubt that the real estate transaction market has improved significantly, and along with it, the pressure to overprice properties has increased. This is due primarily to the two most critical factors that affect a fluid transaction market; the ability to finance an acquisition and the buyer’s and seller’s perception of fear or greed in the market.

V 2012 – Raising Rents: Determining Your Best Strategy

It’s time for some good news! As the economy slowly improves, we have observed an increase in rental rates and occupancy of self storage properties around the country.

IV 2012 – A Note to Buyers and Sellers: These May Be the Best of Times!

Typically, a real estate transaction can be described as “one party’s gain is another party’s loss.” There is, however, a very unusual situation that exists where both buyer and seller can win in a transaction. Today, the current economic climate makes this traditional confrontation more accommodating so that both buyer and seller can achieve their goals in a sales transaction without hurting the other party’s position.