Main reasons are the technology, learn/do/manage from anywhere in the world, powerful lead generation program, good commission splits, equity program in the company.

@Kyle Miller there are some that are really changing the game and as others have said they often operate at a loss to gain market share, but with Technology changing, we are going to see changes in the space.

There's much more around  technology engaged.

Reliant is a company that has full real estate cycle experience and puts out several deals in self storage a year. 10 First Federal is another company that is younger, only half the age, but has disruptive technology where they replace the on-site operator with technology, which expands operating hours, removes the largest expense and increases NOI.

I'm interested in learning about deal analysis, creative financing and deal making, systems of replication and automation, remote investing, and the synthesis of technology and real estate.

Also, if you want to put speakers in the ceiling or any other technology, let me know, I can help with that. 

And I would put single occupancy only per room in the contract as well... and then add an admendum of house rules. since verbal/oral contract is not really held high in court... if you can't sign the contract write away then use technology such as text message or emails or even voicemails. 

At some point we're going to get the answer to your question I suppose, because the so-called "sharing" economy is probably not going away, nor is the individual hustle; technology has made super-sized employers less powerful and more people than probably ever before have the opportunity to survive on side hustles and non-traditional work. 

And amazing how job cost can lower with the same innovations that are in other fields like technology.

Plus interviewing tenants, working with repairmen etc.Last thing - no real need for a local tax accountant these days of technology.