Self Storage Sustained by Positive Demographic Trends

While self storage facilities may not have the sex appeal of other retail or office properties, they are still a solid investment representing more than 50,000 facilities in the US. These non-descript warehouses that hold the belongings that dont fit anywhere else are worthwhile investment consideration.

Why is self storage a good investment?

According to Marcus & Millichaps National Self-Storage Performance Trends, positive demographic trends and the strength of the multifamily market will stimulate further need for storage space. Strong population growth and rising incomes foster a broad and widening tenant pool. In addition, the retirement and downsizing of baby boomers plus the continued emergence of millennial households will sustain demand for self-storage. These key demographic drivers should be strong for some time.

What are the advantages to owning self storage?

A recent Forbes article cited that one of the advantages of self-storage is that it involves little capital outlay, as compared to other kinds of commercial real estate, such as malls or offices or apartments. It also needs little upkeep. When an occupant moves out, management doesnt have to repaint or fix the plumbing. All thats needed is to sweep out the now-empty unit.

What is PSRS experience in this sector?

PSRS has handled the financing needs for a number of self-storage transactions throughout the country. One such example is a recent $6.5 Million deal done by PSRS Principal Kostas Kavayiotidis for a 668-unit in-fill self-storage in Encino (highlighted below). This property is a single-building with three stories and 49,470 square feet of rentable space. The property includes both interior and drive up units and offers electronically gated access, an elevator to the upper floors, property-wide video security, individually alarmed units, heat sensors, and is fully-sprinklered. The 15-year term, 30 year amortizing, non-recourse loan, with flexible prepayment options, was provided by one of PSRSs 22 correspondent life insurance companies.

About PSRS

Founded in 1972, Pacific Southwest Realty Services (PSRS) is one of the largest privately-held commercial mortgage banking firms in the Western United States. Our funding sources include major life insurance companies, banks, credit companies, CMBS and institutional investors.

Access to diverse capital sources insures a high level of success in arranging commercial real estate loans, apartment loans, mezzanine loans, and equity transactions that our clients have come to expect.

Our long-term lending relationships give us greater latitude in solving problems and closing loans in a timely manner.

After the loan funds, our experienced, in-house servicing team handles many issues such as assumptions, lease approvals, payoffs, insurance and many other similar matters.