The Self Storage industry is very common in the United States, seemingly present in every neighborhood. In fact, Americans do have a tremendous demand for self storage space, considering the fact that 1 out of 10 Americans is renting one!
The Self-storage Industry has most definitely come a long way given its humble beginnings. But how did this start, where did it come from, and where are we at today?
We are here to give you a little insight.
It is thought that the industry originally started in the United States as a way to assist Texas servicemen in the armed forces that needed to store their products while they were deployed throughout WWII. Another extensively held theory is that after the war, individuals became a lot more familiar with the idea that they might move from place without the use of a moving company and started finding storage facilities on their own.
The Self-storage Industry has most definitely come a long way given its humble beginnings. But how did this start, where did it come from, and where are we at today?
We are here to give you a little insight.
It is thought that the industry originally started in the United States as a way to assist Texas servicemen in the armed forces that needed to store their products while they were deployed throughout WWII. Another extensively held theory is that after the war, individuals became a lot more familiar with the idea that they might move from place without the use of a moving company and started finding storage facilities on their own.
By 1970, it is determined that as many as 5,000 self-storage facilities existed in the United States. Many of these early sites were created as temporary operations on vacant lots that would only exist until a smarter and better use of the land could be occur. Many of these site were located on the outskirts of town with little or no drive by traffic or visibility.
Most of these early storage facilities that were simplistic compared to what we see today. The early storage facilities started off as storage containers on vacant lots, to office buildings that converted old offices into warehouse space. Most of these early properties were managed, like apartment buildings, with retired couples that lived onsite. Site design was very simple, with the standard layout being rows of single outdoor structures and standard roll-up doors. Some sites were fully fenced, but most were not, and security was scarce.
Most of these early storage facilities that were simplistic compared to what we see today. The early storage facilities started off as storage containers on vacant lots, to office buildings that converted old offices into warehouse space. Most of these early properties were managed, like apartment buildings, with retired couples that lived onsite. Site design was very simple, with the standard layout being rows of single outdoor structures and standard roll-up doors. Some sites were fully fenced, but most were not, and security was scarce.
Public Storage, based in Glendale, Calif., was among the first to started developing self storage properties as a primary real estate asset. Creating and buying facilities as early as 1972, Public Storage has actually become the largest self-storage operator in the world, with over 2,200 facilities. Today, the self storage industry has over 50,000 self storage facilities in the United States and is considered by Wall Street Investors as one of the best performing Commercial Real Estate Investments.
The Industry does boast several large publicly traded REITs, Public Storage, Sovran, Extra Space, and CubeSmart. The self storage industry is still mainly owned by individual operators (those who own 4 or fewer centers), with the top 100 self storage businesses only having 17% of the market share.
Whereas self-storage sites were when considered as an interim usage, today's centers are frequently considered to be the much looked for after, "nicer use" for land. Facilities have relocated to Main Street locations where high exposure and quality traffic counts are a must. Some facilities are even situated in Major Retail Shopping Centers with significant anchor tenants such as Lowe's and Home Depot. When it comes to everyday procedures and protection, state-of-the-art is the name of the game. Self storage facilities not have modern security systems which included security cameras, alarms, and electronic key pad gate entry systems.
The Industry does boast several large publicly traded REITs, Public Storage, Sovran, Extra Space, and CubeSmart. The self storage industry is still mainly owned by individual operators (those who own 4 or fewer centers), with the top 100 self storage businesses only having 17% of the market share.
Whereas self-storage sites were when considered as an interim usage, today's centers are frequently considered to be the much looked for after, "nicer use" for land. Facilities have relocated to Main Street locations where high exposure and quality traffic counts are a must. Some facilities are even situated in Major Retail Shopping Centers with significant anchor tenants such as Lowe's and Home Depot. When it comes to everyday procedures and protection, state-of-the-art is the name of the game. Self storage facilities not have modern security systems which included security cameras, alarms, and electronic key pad gate entry systems.
The self storage manager of today is getting more and more sophisticated. Not only do they have to manage the everyday tasks of renting a multi-million real estate operation, but, now they are becoming sophisticated marketers as well.
The internet has changed the marketing of self storage. Gone are the days of putting an advertisement in the yellow pages and hoping the phone would ring. Today, self storage operators are technology savvy, not only in completing transactions over the internet, but, actively involved in internet marketing as well.
Is it not time that you de-clutter your life? Whether you need to get rid of extra stuff at your home or your business, you are sure to find a quality self storage facility in your neighborhood.
This information was brought to you buy Dufferinstoragemart.com, the leader of self storage search in Dufferin County, Ontario, Canada.
The internet has changed the marketing of self storage. Gone are the days of putting an advertisement in the yellow pages and hoping the phone would ring. Today, self storage operators are technology savvy, not only in completing transactions over the internet, but, actively involved in internet marketing as well.
Is it not time that you de-clutter your life? Whether you need to get rid of extra stuff at your home or your business, you are sure to find a quality self storage facility in your neighborhood.
This information was brought to you buy Dufferinstoragemart.com, the leader of self storage search in Dufferin County, Ontario, Canada.