This from Bloomberg:
Schools in Idaho’s capital stand to benefit more from a storage business that the state bought than when it was under private ownership.
Idaho paid $2.7 million to buy Affordable Self-Storage in the suburbs of Boise.
David Frazier, a Boise activist, blasted the move, complaining the facility would longer pay annual taxes that had gone to Ada County, Boise and the city’s public schools.
But the state Department of Land says the property, purchased to diversify holdings and boost earnings from endowment lands, will contribute $20,087 annually to Boise schools — double the $10,040 in taxes that previously went to schools.
Another $208,000 in earnings from the facility will be shared by schools across Idaho, though Ada County, the city, and emergency services will no longer get $20,000 in taxes with the storage facility’s move to public ownership.
Like I’ve said for so long…self storage is the best untapped segment of the real estate market. If GOVERNMENT is even looking to cash in on the ability self storage has to generate revenue, you KNOW it is a good thing…
By Scott Meyers
Published 27th October 2010
This from Bloomberg:
Schools in Idaho’s capital stand to benefit more from a storage business that the state bought than when it was under private ownership.
Idaho paid $2.7 million to buy Affordable Self-Storage in the suburbs of Boise.
David Frazier, a Boise activist, blasted the move, complaining the facility would longer pay annual taxes that had gone to Ada County, Boise and the city’s public schools.
But the state Department of Land says the property, purchased to diversify holdings and boost earnings from endowment lands, will contribute $20,087 annually to Boise schools — double the $10,040 in taxes that previously went to schools.
Another $208,000 in earnings from the facility will be shared by schools across Idaho, though Ada County, the city, and emergency services will no longer get $20,000 in taxes with the storage facility’s move to public ownership.
Like I’ve said for so long…self storage is the best untapped segment of the real estate market. If GOVERNMENT is even looking to cash in on the ability self storage has to generate revenue, you KNOW it is a good thing…
In Phoenix, Arizona, long-time family business partners are excited to report early success with their newest business venture—A+ East Mesa Storage in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Brian Hurd, his brother-in-law, Johnny Curry, and his father-in-law, John Curry, have partnered together on their most recent project, a storage facility consisting of 150 storage units on three acres of land in Las Cruces.
Hurd and his partners opened the new facility in May 2010. In a recent article, Hurd says that he owes a lot of credit to the INSOMNIAC 900 Kiosk for renting out an amazing 76 percent of the total units rented. Hurd said, “This kiosk concept makes perfect sense. Our facility is essentially run unmanned and is saving us money to help us add more units, and that is a beautiful thing.” Their plan is to reach their current occupancy goals, then move onto phase-two of their project—adding 150 additional units.
According to Hurd, he was at first concerned that his customers might be intimidated by the technology of the INSOMNIAC Kiosk, but the ability to review the digital recording of each transaction has been very valuable. Hurd said, “It’s all been positive. Having a kiosk is so convenient for my customers and for me.” Furthermore, the Kiosk has given A+ East Mesa Storage a competitive advantage, in that they are the only facility in the area offering this service.
A+ East Mesa Storage is strategically placed in an up-and-coming area of Las Cruces, about eight miles from the center of the city. Preoccupied with the construction process, Hurd admits that he has not been aggressively marketing the units. According to Hurd, “We are starting to have good luck with newspaper ads, our web site and running promotions on our banner outside the building.”
In addition to saving Hurd and his partners in significant overhead costs of running an office on-site, he believes the kiosk has given him a great competitive advantage over other storage facilities, and he used the following example to illustrate his point. He had a very challenging customer who was very pleased with his experience using the kiosk to contact the call center. When Hurd later called the customer to follow up about the video transaction, the customer had very positive feedback about the ease of the transaction, and the ability to speak with somebody live to assist him. The customer was shocked at the ease of the transaction; he said that all he had to do was sign his name, and they took care of the rest. Hurd is thrilled with the feedback, noting “My customers can rent units and pay bills any time of day or night.”
The INSOMNIAC Kiosks were developed by OpenTech Alliance, Inc., the leading developer of innovative self-storage solutions. The company produces seven models of INSOMNIAC Kiosks with a price range from $4,900 to $18,000 per unit. The Kiosk, the INSOMNIAC Live! call center services and network for online reservations, provide a unique convenience for your customers. In addition, OpenTech products reduce operating costs and increase revenues for self-storage facility owners.
We’ve been using Kiosks at our facilities since the technology was introduced. I know Bob and the rest of his team very well – back in the days when the President used to make sales calls. We have seen an increase in both rentals and a reduction in Late Pays since we have installed and implemented the kiosks . We’ve also been able to decrease our Manager’s hours at each location as a result. We have several case studies and our company has recorded webinars with the staff of Open Tech alliance that teaches our students the Benefit of using this technology.
About Editor:
Scott Meyers, CSSM is the owner and President of Alcatraz Storage® which operates several Self-storage Facilities in the Midwest. Scott is a Certified Self-storage Manager (CSSM©) through the National Self-storage Association and has been a real estate investor since 1993. He was an instructor of the Landlord 101 course through the University of Indianapolis and now Scott Speaks to Investor groups nationwide and has students around the world, but mostly enjoys spending time at home with his wife and 3 young children in Indianapolis, Indiana.
By Scott Meyers
Published 14th October 2010
In Phoenix, Arizona, long-time family business partners are excited to report early success with their newest business venture—A+ East Mesa Storage in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Brian Hurd, his brother-in-law, Johnny Curry, and his father-in-law, John Curry, have partnered together on their most recent project, a storage facility consisting of 150 storage units on three acres of land in Las Cruces.
Hurd and his partners opened the new facility in May 2010. In a recent article, Hurd says that he owes a lot of credit to the INSOMNIAC 900 Kiosk for renting out an amazing 76 percent of the total units rented. Hurd said, “This kiosk concept makes perfect sense. Our facility is essentially run unmanned and is saving us money to help us add more units, and that is a beautiful thing.” Their plan is to reach their current occupancy goals, then move onto phase-two of their project—adding 150 additional units.
According to Hurd, he was at first concerned that his customers might be intimidated by the technology of the INSOMNIAC Kiosk, but the ability to review the digital recording of each transaction has been very valuable. Hurd said, “It’s all been positive. Having a kiosk is so convenient for my customers and for me.” Furthermore, the Kiosk has given A+ East Mesa Storage a competitive advantage, in that they are the only facility in the area offering this service.
A+ East Mesa Storage is strategically placed in an up-and-coming area of Las Cruces, about eight miles from the center of the city. Preoccupied with the construction process, Hurd admits that he has not been aggressively marketing the units. According to Hurd, “We are starting to have good luck with newspaper ads, our web site and running promotions on our banner outside the building.”
In addition to saving Hurd and his partners in significant overhead costs of running an office on-site, he believes the kiosk has given him a great competitive advantage over other storage facilities, and he used the following example to illustrate his point. He had a very challenging customer who was very pleased with his experience using the kiosk to contact the call center. When Hurd later called the customer to follow up about the video transaction, the customer had very positive feedback about the ease of the transaction, and the ability to speak with somebody live to assist him. The customer was shocked at the ease of the transaction; he said that all he had to do was sign his name, and they took care of the rest. Hurd is thrilled with the feedback, noting “My customers can rent units and pay bills any time of day or night.”
The INSOMNIAC Kiosks were developed by OpenTech Alliance, Inc., the leading developer of innovative self-storage solutions. The company produces seven models of INSOMNIAC Kiosks with a price range from $4,900 to $18,000 per unit. The Kiosk, the INSOMNIAC Live! call center services and network for online reservations, provide a unique convenience for your customers. In addition, OpenTech products reduce operating costs and increase revenues for self-storage facility owners.
We’ve been using Kiosks at our facilities since the technology was introduced. I know Bob and the rest of his team very well – back in the days when the President used to make sales calls. We have seen an increase in both rentals and a reduction in Late Pays since we have installed and implemented the kiosks . We’ve also been able to decrease our Manager’s hours at each location as a result. We have several case studies and our company has recorded webinars with the staff of Open Tech alliance that teaches our students the Benefit of using this technology.
About Editor:
Scott Meyers, CSSM is the owner and President of Alcatraz Storage® which operates several Self-storage Facilities in the Midwest. Scott is a Certified Self-storage Manager (CSSM©) through the National Self-storage Association and has been a real estate investor since 1993. He was an instructor of the Landlord 101 course through the University of Indianapolis and now Scott Speaks to Investor groups nationwide and has students around the world, but mostly enjoys spending time at home with his wife and 3 young children in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Storage Marketing Solutions is sponsoring a webinar designed to promote critical skills for self-storage professionals. The online seminar is free of charge, and being offered on October 19, 2010. The webinar is part of a series being offered by publisher Poppy Behrens titled the “Mini-Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series.”
The President of Storage Marketing Solutions, Derek M. Naylor, will host the webinar “How to Become a Self-Storage Sales, Marketing and Customer Service Ninj,” presenting the how and why of self-storage sales, marketing, and customer service. The webinar will cover the following:
• The importance of site-level personnel to achieving success.
• The effectiveness of bonuses and incentives to achieving goals.
• Tips for implementing permanent and pervasive changes to one’s sales, marketing, and customer service organizations.
• How to increase new customer sales by 100% in four easy steps.
• How to train site-level personnel in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
Online registration is required. To learn more visit their website at www.ministoragemessenger.com.
“Mini-Storage Messenger” is the world’s leading periodical for the self-storage field. It is published by MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC. MiniCo Insurance, founded in 1974, is based in Phoenix, Arizona. The company offers specialty insurance and information products for self-storage professionals. It publishes the following self-storage magazines:
• “Self-Storage Now!”
• “Mobile Self-Storage Magazine”
• “RV & Boat Storage Today”
• “Self Storage Canada”
• “Self-Storage Almanac”
• “Self-Storage Development Handbook”
• “Self Storage Buyer’s Guide”
To learn more visit: Storage Marketing Solutions [www.storagemarketingsolutions.com].
About the Editor:
Scott Meyers, CSSM is the owner and President of Alcatraz Storage® which operates several Self Storage Facilities in the Midwest. Scott is a Certified Self Storage Manager (CSSM©) through the National Self Storage Association and has been a real estate investor since 1993. He was an instructor of the Landlord 101 course through the University of Indianapolis and now Scott Speaks to Investor groups nationwide and has students around the world, but mostly enjoys spending time at home with his wife and 3 young children in Indianapolis, Indiana.
By Scott Meyers
Published 14th October 2010
Storage Marketing Solutions is sponsoring a webinar designed to promote critical skills for self-storage professionals. The online seminar is free of charge, and being offered on October 19, 2010. The webinar is part of a series being offered by publisher Poppy Behrens titled the “Mini-Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series.”
The President of Storage Marketing Solutions, Derek M. Naylor, will host the webinar “How to Become a Self-Storage Sales, Marketing and Customer Service Ninj,” presenting the how and why of self-storage sales, marketing, and customer service. The webinar will cover the following:
• The importance of site-level personnel to achieving success.
• The effectiveness of bonuses and incentives to achieving goals.
• Tips for implementing permanent and pervasive changes to one’s sales, marketing, and customer service organizations.
• How to increase new customer sales by 100% in four easy steps.
• How to train site-level personnel in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
Online registration is required. To learn more visit their website at www.ministoragemessenger.com.
“Mini-Storage Messenger” is the world’s leading periodical for the self-storage field. It is published by MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC. MiniCo Insurance, founded in 1974, is based in Phoenix, Arizona. The company offers specialty insurance and information products for self-storage professionals. It publishes the following self-storage magazines:
• “Self-Storage Now!”
• “Mobile Self-Storage Magazine”
• “RV & Boat Storage Today”
• “Self Storage Canada”
• “Self-Storage Almanac”
• “Self-Storage Development Handbook”
• “Self Storage Buyer’s Guide”
To learn more visit: Storage Marketing Solutions [www.storagemarketingsolutions.com].
About the Editor:
Scott Meyers, CSSM is the owner and President of Alcatraz Storage® which operates several Self Storage Facilities in the Midwest. Scott is a Certified Self Storage Manager (CSSM©) through the National Self Storage Association and has been a real estate investor since 1993. He was an instructor of the Landlord 101 course through the University of Indianapolis and now Scott Speaks to Investor groups nationwide and has students around the world, but mostly enjoys spending time at home with his wife and 3 young children in Indianapolis, Indiana.
If the current economic data holds true, 95,000 jobs were lost in September and more are on the way. What does that mean for our industry?
If the history of our industry holds true, we will see vacancy drop as more people in more places move out of their existing homes and in to shared living spaces, back in with parents, or in to smaller houses or apartments. What do they do with all of that stuff? They either dump it in a quick garage sale or they move it in to self storage facilities. Additionally, what do the people that buy their stuff do with it? Put it in storage. Either way, local storage facilities win.
And so do you.
By Scott Meyers
Published 12th October 2010
If the current economic data holds true, 95,000 jobs were lost in September and more are on the way. What does that mean for our industry?
If the history of our industry holds true, we will see vacancy drop as more people in more places move out of their existing homes and in to shared living spaces, back in with parents, or in to smaller houses or apartments. What do they do with all of that stuff? They either dump it in a quick garage sale or they move it in to self storage facilities. Additionally, what do the people that buy their stuff do with it? Put it in storage. Either way, local storage facilities win.
And so do you.
Private Equity Funds, or hedge funds, are moving in to the self storage game more frequently than in the past. According to Globe Street News, the Virtus equity fund is planning major buys in privately owned self storage facilities. Check it out. Read the rest of this entry »
By Scott Meyers
Published 12th October 2010
Private Equity Funds, or hedge funds, are moving in to the self storage game more frequently than in the past. According to Globe Street News, the Virtus equity fund is planning major buys in privately owned self storage facilities. Check it out. (more…)
As reported in Hawaii News Now, the self storage business is rocking on the islands. Like I’ve been saying for so long, self storage is the best real estate oriented business to get in to. Read the rest of this entry »
By Scott Meyers
Published 12th October 2010
As reported in Hawaii News Now, the self storage business is rocking on the islands. Like I’ve been saying for so long, self storage is the best real estate oriented business to get in to. (more…)
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