There is a growing trend of apartment owners investing in submetering systems for water as these have gotten more affordable.

@Luke Spencer I am not on the management side but I can tell you it took 2+ years to fill 300 units at one of our facilities and the other just hit 300 units in 12/13 months so it really depends on the demographics, and local housing market trend, the more people moving in and out the higher the demand for storage.I think if you're looking at a saturated market then the upfront cash to turn the warehouse into self storage is not a good idea but then again, maybe those operators are on back roads ( low visibility ) and don't push google ads well.

Like most markets, there is a growing trend in the area due to affordability and increasing more things to do. 

If not, I have a lot of local knowledge and the typical trends of many of the Atlanta suburbs.

They can help you navigate the market and avoid common pitfalls.If you’re serious about taking the plunge, start analyzing properties in both Boston and Chicago markets to understand local trends.

I like the space as this is pretty fragmented vs MH, so cap rates seems to trend higher. 

Start by exploring books, YouTube channels, market research, and analyzing trends in neighborhoods.

Attend seminars, join online forums, and read up on the latest market trends to stay informed.Remember, real estate investing is not without its challenges.

I think what you're really asking is how to identify good value areas where rents may be trending upward but the prices still remain relatively lower.An important metric is tenant household income to rent ratio.

Milwaukee is still one of the hottest markets in the US, we see on average offers at 102% of list price, so understanding fair market value is key.And then of course you have the fact that most deals are negotiated by agents.