Amid a Multifamily Boom, This Self-Storage is the Gift That Keeps on Giving
Summary
This article discusses the growth of self-storage as a potentially lucrative investment, especially in Sunbelt cities. With apartment sizes shrinking, the demand for self-storage is increasing. Hosts can consider self-storage as an alternative investment.
Key Insights
- •Houston apartments built from 2015 onward have shrunk by 44 square feet on average, while 5.3 million square feet of storage were added locally.
- •In Q1 2025, self-storage transaction volume climbed 37% year over year to $855 million due to renewed investor appetite.
- •1 in 3 Americans now rent a storage unit, and a further 18% plan to do so in the future.
- •The U.S. self-storage sector has expanded by over 500 million square feet over the past decade, closely linked to the rise in Sunbelt multifamily housing development.
Action Items
- ✓Consider self-storage as a potential investment to diversify your real estate portfolio, particularly if you're looking for an alternative to residential rentals.Effort: mediumImpact: medium
Tools & Resources
- →Cushman & Wakefield: Commercial brokerage Cushman & Wakefield.
- →CubeSmart, Public Storage, Extra Space Storage: REITs such as CubeSmart, Public Storage, and Extra Space Storage.
- →loopnet.com, crexi.com: Commercial listing sites like loopnet.com or crexi.com.
- →Mike Wagner’s Storage Rebellion, AJ Osborne’s SelfStorageIncome.com: Gurus with courses and training programs, such as Mike Wagner’s Storage Rebellion and AJ Osborne’s SelfStorageIncome.com.
- →Yardi Matrix: Data from Yardi Matrix.
- →StorageCafe: Analysis from national storage space marketplace StorageCafe.
- →CBRE: Commercial brokerage CBRE.
- →CRE Daily: CRE Daily reports.
Related News
TD Bank expresses cautious optimism for affordable housing in 2026
TD Bank expresses cautious optimism for affordable housing growth in 2026, with multifamily, senior, and workforce housing showing the strongest demand. Hosts, especially those interested in workforce housing, should consider the impact of rising housing costs on potential guests and the possibility of public-private partnerships.
Keller Williams sharpens focus on agent teams for 2026
Keller Williams (KW) is focusing on supporting real estate teams in 2026 through education, coaching, and new programs. Hosts can learn from these team models, and KW is watching macroeconomic trends like employment and inflation which impact housing and thus the STR market.
From Analysis Paralysis to Your First Rental: The 90-Day Action Plan
This article provides a 90-day action plan for new investors looking to purchase a rental property, breaking down the process into manageable steps from market selection to closing. Hosts should use this as a guide to avoid analysis paralysis and navigate the complexities of purchasing a rental, focusing on structured steps to make the process more manageable.
Developers land $18M investment for office-to-housing conversion in Muskegon - Crain's Grand Rapids Business
An $18M investment is being made to convert an office building into housing in Muskegon. This could signify a shift in local real estate and potentially impact the availability of housing, including short-term rental opportunities. Hosts might want to stay informed about local development trends and their potential impact on the STR market.