As a Dublin rental property investor, you might be looking for extra ways to expand your business and diversify your income streams. One option gaining in popularity in the past few years is the self-storage facility. But must you start a storage rental business? To determine whether the industry is a great fit for you, it’s crucial to find out more about what it takes to get started keeping a self-storage business.
Over the last decade, storage rental facilities have blossomed across the United States. Currently, self-storage facilities number somewhere around 50,000. To put that number in context, that is approximately equal to the number of McDonald’s, Subway, and Starbucks locations in the U.S. combined. Self-storage rental businesses come in all different sizes but are focused on one single service: exchanging a monthly rental payment for space to store the renter’s personal belongings. From storing art and appliances to boats and RVs, individuals and businesses alike rely on self-storage units to store up things they need or aren’t prepared to leave behind.
In every sense, storage rental is a lucrative business, with profit margins averaging around 11 percent. And for those who can manage to pay to get into the business, it may be a good alternate. However, there are a few other things to think about besides finances. For instance, you’ll need to determine the total cost of starting a self-storage business; decide whether you should build your own facility or buy an existing structure; what kind of operating expenses there will be; and how you will market and staff your business. By operating through some of these major considerations, you can more effortlessly figure out if going into the storage rental business is right for your particular situation.
If you already own land or own a building you could convert into storage space, you may be in a good position to start a storage rental business. After all, one of the biggest hurdles of the self-storage businesses is the cost of the facility itself. It’s important to some research and figure out how much it will cost to secure a location, building and perform the necessary construction.
Though you may think that building a totally new facility is the most expensive alternative, you may be in the wrong about that. Occasionally, transforming an open building can be just as pricey, reliant on location, acquisition costs, and contractors’ readiness to do the work. Or, you might be able to find the idea of purchasing an existing storage facility more appealing. But keep in mind that even existing or turn-key facilities may need updates, renovations, or repairs, in addition to basic operational costs.
This is the reason why no matter which route you select, you’ll need proper funding to start a storage rental business. One of the biggest questions you should be asking is: where will the money for your new business come from?
Naturally, if you are a rental property investor, the concept is to diversify, not put all of your investment eggs into one basket. If selling off your other assets isn’t the answer, could you qualify for a loan (either to purchase or to build a facility)? You may even think about going into business with one or more partners or finding an investor willing to help you finance an acquisition or development deal.
Doesn’t matter how you plan to purchase the funds for your storage rental business, don’t forget to involve operational costs in your calculations. You’ll have to have at least six months of operational expenses covered, which means you’ll need to know what those costs will be and how you’ll manage your storage facility. From doing it yourself to hiring a third-party management company, there are many various approaches. No matter what, you’ll need to decide whether you not only can afford the hefty upfront price tag but also the time and effort it will require to get your storage rental business up and running.
Are you looking for new ways to expand your investment portfolio? Give Real Property Management One a call. We work with investors like you to improve rental property margins, increase profitability, and connect you with great off-market deals. Contact us online or call 925-495-4953 to speak with a Dublin property manager today.
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