Interact With Peers At Self-Storage Social Network

Self-storage business has withstood the economic downturn. This is good news, indeed. However, you need the right resources not only to survive, but also to keep ahead of your competitors.

Self storage social network provides you the right information that you need to adapt, endure, and grow in the challenging market. If you join this self-storage social network, you will get plenty of networking opportunities to stay updated and enhance your visibility. We have designed http://www.selfstoragesocialnetwork.com/ to enable self-storage professionals gain access to useful information, interact with peers, update on hot topics and above all add value to self- storage business.

Self-Storage Social Network Forum

The Self-storage social network forum is undoubtedly the hottest online community. Here you can ask questions, post your comments and share experiences. So what is the question uppermost on every storage owner’s mind today? Obviously, it is survival. Read on and post your own comments.

Will Self-Storage Business Survive The Credit Crisis?

Daily we are bombarded by news of ‘doomsday’. Today, nearly a third of the Americans owe more than what their house is worth. Stocks have crashed and investors have seen their retirement saving accounts shrink to abysmally low levels.

We are grappling with one of the worst recessions of all times. The residential sub prime crisis is now a full-blown catastrophe. However, the good news is that the self-storage industry has managed to hold on. Thanks mainly to low interest rates and liberal loan disbursement terms. Will this situation continue? Let us focus on the key issue of our ability to borrow funds.

The US government is trying its best to shore up the banking system to support lending to businesses and consumers. There is no doubt that borrowing in 2009 will be more difficult than ever before. All businesses will need to make extra efforts to obtain real estate financing. Fortunately, banks are still granting loans to self-storage owners. Nevertheless, the loan disbursement is not without extra scrutiny. Lenders are now working with stricter guidelines than in the past, and your past record of accomplishment is on the scanner. Banks are also weighing credit and financial worthiness and liquid assets as primary tools to assess your ability to repay the loan.

Know Your Bank

Understanding your bank is the key to your survival. Today banks are undergoing a metamorphosis. Quite a few are facing regulatory closure and some are consolidating. Your relationship with your bank is more vital than ever before. It is important to assess how each bank weighs self-storage market at any given point of time. We are of the opinion that self-storage owners should seek professional advice during these turbulent times. Browse through our resources for the section on Self Storage Business Financing for a comprehensive list of trusted mortgage brokers.

It is heartening to note that self-storage business has been recession proof so far. Investing in self-storage is still considered to be one of the best real estate investments. This very fact should keep your spirits high.

Join Our Webinars

A webinar is a conference conducted over the internet. It is designed to be interactive so that the presenter and audience can relate with each other. In a webinar, we expect a host of issues to be discussed, deliberated, and talked about. For example, here are some key issues facing self storage industry today.

Improve operational cost and enhance the brand image of your company Facility auditing and potential thefts in self-storage Kick starting your operations with a retail mentality Collecting delinquent rent Getting the most of your employees Increasing your net operating income

The above issues are not exhaustive. There are many more. Your can immensely benefit by participating in webinar’s interactive programs specifically designed to thrash out key issues facing the self-storage business today.

We have designed this website to enable self-storage professionals gain access to useful information, update frequently asked questions and provide answers to them. Register with our website and receive alerts on all the forthcoming webinars by email. We solicit your participation in webinars.

On Employing The Right Person

Your self-storage business will not be as profitable as you want to be without a customer-oriented manager. How do you go about finding the right person? Here are some tips.

Look at the employees in grocery or department stores. The good ones at these places are the types that suit your business too. An effective employee is one who gives great importance to customer service. Put in place a consistent process of selection. Ask the right questions and get to know the person you are interviewing, as well as you can. Trigger the process of selection at the right time. Start as soon as one of your employees gives a two weeks’ notice. Place ads at strategic locations to get the right persons for your job. An ad need not make a hole in your pocket. You can place ads at apartment complexes, senior centers, and websites. A good way is to post ads at self storage social network Call your prospects the same day they post the résumé. You would not like to leave out a bright one. A phone interview is a good way to judge a candidate. You know that a self-storage manager’s job entails phone skills. Shortlist candidates by listening to the candidate’s phone etiquette and clarity. Keep a list of questions ready. Focus of attitude, previous experiences, skills, and qualifications. Do not ask questions about the candidate’s religion, race, marital status, or nationality.

Some Interesting Facts

As per an estimate in 2007, around 52000 self-storage facilities were developed in the United States, alone. In all probability, the figure could be higher today. These facilities have been developed on industrial and commercial land parcels on three to seven acre properties. US local storage facilities generate around $20 billion every year. Worldwide there are 58000 storage facilities. This will give you an idea that most of the storage facilities are located in the United States, itself. Space wise the United States account for approximately 1.2 billion rentable square feet. The United Kingdom has 20 million rentable square feet and Australia 22 million rentable square feet.

Tenant Insurance

The self-storage industry can be a win-win situation for both the tenants and facility owners provided they are properly protected. In many cases, the tenant’s stored property is not insured by the storage facility itself. Here is where a manager can play a very important role by educating the customer about tenant insurance. Presently there are two types of tenant insurance instruments available to self-storage facility.

Mail In Program

This is the traditional type wherein storage facility owner provides the customer with a brochure along with the welcome kit. Since this type of insurance is not operative with the point of lease, it is important that the self-storage manager explain all the features of the insurance to the customer.

Pay With Rent Program

This program provides the tenant the ability to purchase insurance at the time of lease. The insurance premium is added in with the monthly rent. This program is used in conjunction with a self-storage management software package.

Tenant insurance has always been a hot issue. Self-storage social network invites members to share their experiences on insurance issues. We are certain that members’ views will benefit many.

Frequently Asked Questions.

What Special Features Do You Offer For Self-Storage Professionals?

We always endeavor to provide you the most updated industry news and information solutions.

Trends – A regular feature providing useful information concerning storage, insurance, security, and survey reports. Legal Q&A – Top legal professionals answer all your sensitive queries. Buyer’s guide – An exhaustive online list of suppliers for storage industry Happenings – Listing industry events, meetings, trade shows, seminars and conferences for self-storage professionals Top operators – Addresses and contact details of all well-known self-storage operators. Archives – A storehouse of useful articles on self-storage. Market update – A monthly feature devoted to market trends in a specific area.

Do You Provide Information On How To Start And Develop A Self-Storage Facility?

Yes, we do. We are a leading solutions provider to anyone wanting to start and develop a self-storage business. We have plenty of resources focusing on issues such as,

A complete turnkey guide from feasibility study, construction, start up and operating the business inclusive of marketing strategies. Developing specialty self-storage facility like RV and boat storage. Data and analysis of all current self-storage facilities in US replete with demographics, rental data, site layout, and unit mix.

If you are wondering how to start a self-storage business, rely on us. We are a one-stop solution to all your needs.

Do You Provide Online Links To Suppliers Of Self-Storage Equipment?

Yes, we have an exhaustive list of suppliers. You can search for supplier data alphabetically, item wise, or location wise. Our Help In Selecting A Storage Facility

Our self storage social network at http://www.selfstoragesocialnetwork.com/ specializes in providing customers with all information about storage facilities in their local area. We are the most comprehensive website directory there is. All that a customer needs to do is simply type in the name of city or region and get the addresses of all self-storage dealers. Customers can search for convenient locations and look for units that are well lit and fenced, are open all days of the week and have different sizes for different needs. You can also check the rates and availability. What’s more, one can pay online and avail of discounts for longer stays. Convenient month-to-month rentals, free truck and driver program and extended access hours are the other features available with dealers. We believe in providing customers with the latest updates all the time.