SSTI offers a collection of downloadable, easy-to-access e-books and
study manuals on essential self-storage subjects. Buy one section or the
whole set—it's up to you! Read them whenever you want to learn a
new skill or need to brush up on a particular topic. When you're ready
to move on to more advanced material, the next e-book will be ready and
waiting.
Who says you have to employ a full-time resident manager for your self-storage
facility to be successful? Who says you have to have a manager on site
at all? Operators all over the world are taking advantage of new
technology and security tools to run “unmanned” sites from
a centralized office. This package contains insight to remote-management
essentials such as kiosks, web-based video surveillance, electronic locks,
enterprise software and more.
Don't get tripped up on financial mumbo-jumbo. As a self-storage buyer
or investor, you need to know which loan types and lending options are
available to you. This book will teach you how to create a successful
loan request, choose a lender and select the right loan package. It
also addresses refinancing and progressive trends including interest-only
loans and true-tax leasing. (32 pages)
Self-Storage Real Estate: Buying, Selling, Understanding Value
Wondering about how to determine facility value? Need help understanding
cap rates? Interested in the process of buying or selling a storage
property? This book addresses the state of self-storage real estate,
providing insight for buyers and sellers alike. You'll also learn about
important tax benefits, such as cost segregation and 1031 exchange.
(36 pages)
Self-Storage Development: Making the Right Investment
Wondering if self-storage is the right business for you? This book
walks you through the self-storage development process, from understanding
industry potential to choosing a site to analyzing potential returns.
You'll read about feasibility, due diligence and mixed-use development.
You'll also learn the pros and cons of acquiring an existing site vs.
building from scratch and the advantages of starting small. (34 pages)
Self-Storage Construction: An Industry on the Build
This book addresses the essentials of self-storage construction, including
how to choose a contractor/construction team and the overall building
process. You'll learn the top 10 mistakes to avoid, site planning and
unit mix, and details of multistory storage and conversions. In addition,
you'll read about specific project components such as roofing and doors.
The book also includes a special section about building boat and RV
storage. (33 pages)
Self-Storage Management: Policies, Pricing, Sales and Service
Managing a storage site isn't brain surgery, but it does take know-how
and skill. Thanks to competition, a more demanding customer base and
technological tools, facility operation becomes increasingly complex.
This book highlights some creative management methods. It also walks
you through the process of writing your operation's policies and procedures
and setting a pricing strategy. You'll read about physical vs. economic
occupancy, effective rent increases, site audits, and insights on using
a management company. You'll also learn how to be sales savvy and deliver
superior customer service.(38 pages)
Self-Storage Site Maintenance: Keeping It Fresh and In Good
Repair
Whether it's old or new, every storage site needs some TLC. Key building
components require regular maintenance: metal corners, hallways and
partitions; roofing; doors; security equipment and more. In addition,
you need to focus on aesthetics, such as curb appeal, landscaping, office
decor, etc. This book provides handy maintenance checklists for inside
and out, and outlines detailed tips on keeping a building in top form.
Also read about simple upgrades for older sites. (40 pages)
Self-Storage Legalities: Playing It Smart, Avoiding Liability
Every self-storage operator contends with legal issues. This books
covers the critical areas you need to know and understand: the self-storage
rental agreement, lien sales, tenant bankruptcy, dealing with a lawsuit,
value limitation, Homeland Security, wages and hours, legalities of
vehicle storage and more. You'll also read advice on choosing legal
representation and how to do "spring cleaning" on your legal
practices and documents.(40 pages)
Self-Storage Insurance: Protecting Your Business, Keeping It Covered
You can't be too careful when it comes to protecting your self-storage
business. Do you have the right insurance to keep you covered? Learn
about key coverages for this business, how to identify and manage operational
risks, and the importance of key lease clauses to limiting liability.
This books also explains how to determine property value for insurance
purposes, deal with hazardous substances that make their way onto your
site, and file a post-storm claim. Finally, you'll read about offering
tenant insurance and choosing an agent.(30 pages)
Self-Storage Marketing: Advertising, Promotions & Special
Events
There's more to promoting a self-storage facility than Yellow Pages
or even a website. But if you haven't been trained in marketing, how
do you know which options are available to you and how to optimize them?
This books explains how how to identify your target market and get to
know your customer base. It also addresses the fundamental methods of
facility promotion: special events, direct mail, display ads, web presence,
networking and more. (39 pages)
Self-Storage Technology: Software and Cutting-Edge Trends
Self-storage operations are continually being streamlined and simplified
by new technological tools. From management software and self-serve
kiosks to electronic locks and websites, technology is changing the
way facilities do business. This book gives you pointers on choosing
a management program, making the most of the Internet, increasing manager
productivity, using technical support and more. It even addresses solutions
for multi-site operators and remote-management options. (35 pages)
Self-Storage Security: Choosing Tools, Protecting Your Investment
Your security system is one of the most important investments you'll
make for your facility, and features are getting more sophisticated
all the time. This book identifies all the key components of a sound
security system as well as new equipment coming on the market. It also
addresses how to assess risk at your storage site, ideas on how to manage
remote stores, and tips on dealing with Homeland Security and tenant
screening. (32 pages)
Self-Storage Ancillaries: Adding Value Through Retail and
Extra Services
Unit rental may be the lifeblood of a self-storage business, but it
certainly isn't the only—or even the best way—to generate
income! Extra services can help you increase market share and add bottom-line
profit. This book describes some ancillary options, covering retail
sales, boat/RV storage, wine storage, records storage, postal services
and more. It provides pointers for getting started in each area and
answers key operational questions. (35 pages)
Self-Storage Staffing: Hiring, Training and Keeping Employees
The success of a self-storage site is largely dependent on the quality
of its staff, especially in competitive markets. But how do you go about
making the right hires? This book addresses the hiring process, including
recruiting and interviewing. It also covers employee training, bonus
and incentive programs, offering health insurance and how to handle
terminations. Finally, it guides you through the process of evaluating
staff performance. (39 pages)
Round out your industry library with this complete set of SSTI e-books!
Receive one book in each subject category: finance, real estate, construction,
development, facility management, site maintenance, legal issues, insurance,
marketing, technology, security, specialty storage and staffing. This
is an invaluable resource for anyone learning about the storage business.
It's also a fantastic reference to keep on the office shelf (or computer)
and use during employee training. This collection comprises more than
450 pages of quality material. (13 E-Books Total)
