In 2021, self-storage facilities were considered the hottest property investment of the pandemic, with record-high occupancy rates and vigorous sales growth. But as the economy shifted into a period of recovery following the height of the pandemic, the self-storage industry (along with many others) faced new challenges like rising mortgage rates, high inflation, and the reopening of office spaces.

The onset of Covid-19 in early 2020 initially created a decline in occupancy and rent levels, before eventually driving an incredible amount of demand for self-storage in 2021 and 2022. But now we’re three years past the height of Covid, that initial boom in demand has slowed, and consumers are facing new economic hurdles—such as rising interest rates. Where does that leave the self-storage industry and its investors?

As experienced investors, we here at Belrose subscribe to a common saying in real estate, “You make your money when you buy.” In other words, the amount you pay for a piece of property will be a determining factor in how much you make in return when selling it. But purchasing a commercial real estate property is a bit more involved than buying a house.

As someone who’s considering investing in commercial real estate, it’s likely you’ve come across a few possible options—do it yourself or work with a sponsor. When pursuing an investment opportunity on your own, every single aspect of the process is in your hands. By comparison, a real estate syndicator does the behind-the-scenes work for you.

It seems like all year round, every part of the country faces its own set of natural disasters. Not to mention smaller, yet still impactful, natural events like flooding, snow, falling trees, and damaging winds can all cause serious damage to property. When you put your capital into a hard asset, like a self-storage facility, a natural disaster or emergency can threaten your investment.

As someone who’s considering investing in commercial real estate, it’s likely you’ve come across a few possible options. You could invest in a real estate investment trust (REIT), work with a real estate syndicator (like Belrose), or pursue investment opportunities all on your own (DIY). These are the three most common options for investors, and they all come with their own sets of benefits and considerations.

If you want your money to grow, you need to invest. It’s an idea that’s been ingrained in most adults, even if we don’t think about it much on a day-to-day basis. Following the past few years of intense volatility and economic upset, however, the spotlight has certainly been on the stock market as of late.

If you’ve ever sold or bought a home, you already know that there’s often a “middleman” involved in real estate transactions. For commercial real estate sales, like self-storage facilities, it’s common for sellers to work with a broker. While a broker can help negotiate the highest sale price, the relationship tends to be transactional and not necessarily in the buyer’s best interest.

When wondering if now’s the right time to invest in self-storage, you may be inclined to look first at the current economic climate. Your return on investment is, after all, dependent on whether or not the demand for self-storage will remain high. But the great news is, consumer demand for self-storage doesn’t always rely directly on the economic cycle.

If you’ve been thinking about investing in real estate for a while, you’ve likely found that there are many different avenues to pursue. This could lead you to wonder what the difference is between investing in REITs and pursuing an investment opportunity with a syndication partner.

When the warm weather finally hits, it can signal a time of renewing and resetting after a long winter. Since Spring is officially in season, now’s a perfect time to think about doing some Spring cleaning — especially when it comes to your portfolio.

When first dipping your toes into the self-storage investment space, it’s natural to assume all facilities look and operate similarly. In reality, storage units can vary greatly, with each type of facility offering renters different advantages. Why is it important for self-storage investors to know the difference between facilities?

As an investor, it’s important to know what you’re actually investing in. When a new property is being built—and your money is tied into it—you want to know the who, what, why, how, and when involved with creating a profitable self-storage facility from the ground up. Because we want you to be aware of your investment options, we think it’s important to understand the difference between building and acquiring a facility.

As with any investment opportunity you pursue, it’s important to know what the future tax benefits and liabilities could be. Alternative investments, like self-storage, have the potential to offer investors some notable tax advantages.

When you hear the word “income,” you likely picture money received in exchange for your time and services — typically in the form of a paycheck. This is considered active income. But there’s an entirely different type of income that, when used successfully, helps investors build significant wealth and time freedom.

When it comes to commercial real estate, like self-storage facilities, it’s important to know that you’re investing in something that meets current and expected consumer demand. What does the current demand for self-storage look like, and how does it compare to the number of facilities operating across the country?

When weighing an investment opportunity, investors tend to consider three primary goals: security, income, and growth. Most traditional investments provide only one or two of these. Self storage provides all three. Depending on your life stage or long-term goals, it’s possible you’re more focused on one than the other.

When choosing who to invest with, it’s crucial to ask questions and do your research. There are plenty of people or businesses in the commercial real estate space who may not provide total transparency or have your best interest at heart. But how can you tell the good from the bad?

If you’ve been thinking about diversifying your portfolio with alternative investments, residential rental properties could be top of mind. But they’re not for everyone. In fact, residential property investments may offer more headaches and hands-on involvement than their commercial counterparts — such as self-storage.

From the grocery store to your electric bill, consumers are hit hard by inflation at nearly every turn. As a result, the Federal Reserve spent much of 2022 trying to keep investor sentiment high while attempting to curb inflation. How is the Fed’s plan of action impacting investors in the self-storage space?