For those with self storage experience, I’m looking to find out the average cost per unit for a 10x10 non-climate controlled unit.Let’s say for example, 200 units to start out with.

In a dry climate area like Denver mold should be relatively easy to eliminate.

What climate would you like your properties to be in?

Unknown city or county and this makes a huge difference as to the climate for change in a location...

@Eugene Rabinovich People are generally moving south and east in the United States to find better job markets, warmer climates, more affordable homes, and lower cost of living.

I am curious how anyone actually finds any deals in that sort of climate?

Its currently owned by a non profit and they have indoor climate controlled storage units in place and rented, a store front with tenant in place, a vacant and gutted second floor that could be finished and rented (probably about 2000-2500sqft) and a banquet hall with full kitchen and bar that has a max cap.

For longterm rentals, some things to know are, how to calculate affordability of an area (a function of median income, interest rate, median home price), look at migration patterns (are people moving into or out of an area, what are the trends), business climate (are businesses moving to the area or out, what type of industries, income level, etc), rental amounts,  that's all I can think of at the moment.I wish I would've known more about evaluating markets when I bought my first few properties. 2 of the first rentals I bought, went absolutely no where when I finally sold them about 17 years after I bought them.

Opportunity is everywhere, and my view is once you get into an area of 50,000+ people with a growing, diverse economic base that has reasonably good climate and access to transportation and entertainment.  

In todays climate with this ESA BS, I'd sell out and go all STRs, you'll never have that problem.