The First Rule of Finding a Self-Storage Property Includes Networking!

The best way to find self-storage properties is to open your mouth. You need to talk to everyone you meet about self-storage. If everyone that you know is aware that you are looking for self-storage, they will be more likely to pass that information on to you. If they have no idea that you are looking for self-storage, then how will they know to tell you that their friend is selling their property?

It can feel like you are being obnoxious when all you do is talk about self-storage. However, when you make sure that you talk about it a little, consistently, then people will remember that that is what you do. When you are first getting started, it can be hard to tell people what you are doing because you are afraid that you might not be successful. Instead of worrying about that, worry about how many leads you are missing out on by not saying something.

However, it isn’t just the people that you know that you should be networking with. You should also be networking with people who are in the business that might have heard about people who are considering selling. Get on the internet and join self-storage discussion groups. This is where a lot of self-storage owners go for ideas, or to vent, or to complain about how horrible their property is. When that happens, that is a perfect opportunity for you to message them that you might be interested in their property. You need to make sure that you are participating in the discussion group to build up credibility.

Find out if there are any self-storage groups in your area or real estate investment groups in your area. You may be able to network with other investors who know people in the self-storage industry. The idea is to start getting to know who the main players are and connecting with them.

You can also network on small business websites. Often self-storage owners consider themselves to be a small business. By going out and looking on small business websites, you may find people who are talking about their self-storage properties. Network with them and build a relationship just in case they ever want to sell.

While you are networking with small businesses that are not self-storage properties, look at the size of their lots and their current buildings. Do they have three to four acres of land? Is there a warehouse on the land? Is this something that would work as a conversion into self-storage. Because there might be potential conversions out there, you should network with small business brokers too. You just need to make sure that the property is included.

Be creative in your networking. Talk to everyone that you meet, go out on the internet, and explore. You never know who someone knows. They may be able to make an introduction that will get you your next property. As always, happy investing.