The best self-storage companies for small businesses in 2022 are Public Storage, Extra Space Storage, CubeSmart, LifeStorage, U-Haul, National Storage Affiliates, Storage Asset Management, StorageMart, Merit Hill Capital, and Prime Storage. These companies are ranked by portfolio size and are both owners and operators. CubeSmart is the fifth largest self-storage company in the country and has a portfolio of over 1,200 properties. They focus on technology and innovation in their properties to attract and retain customers.

Source: www.commercialrealestate.loans/blog/the-top-10-self-storage-companies-2022 and www.commercialrealestate.loans/blog/the-top-self-storage-companies-of-2023

The self-storage sector offers many advantages for investors in commercial real estate. One of the biggest advantages is that properties are relatively easy to operate, with lower staffing costs and lower operational costs than other types of commercial real estate. Additionally, self-storage rents are flexible, with leases generally no longer than three months, allowing investors to adjust rents to reflect increasing operating costs and wider market conditions. Finally, self-storage is generally considered to be recession-resistant, with demand for self-storage space usually remaining consistent even in a recession.

Sources:

• 4 Ways Self Storage Is Recession Resistant
• Top 3 Traits for a Self Storage Property Manager
• Net Operating Income Calculator
• Self Storage Financing
• Rent Roll

When choosing a self-storage company, the most important factors to consider are the surrounding market conditions, the level of competition within the market radius, and the saturation level of the market. It's important to look at the population and job growth, the number of homeowners or renters in the area, and the location's proximity to university campuses, residential areas, or businesses. It's also important to consider the number of self-storage facilities nearby, as well as any facilities under construction or in the planning stages. The saturation level of an area is measured by the gross square feet of storage space available per person, with the average self-storage inventory per capita across the country being around 7 to 8 net square feet. A market with a per-capita inventory above the U.S. average is usually considered oversupplied, whereas anything below is undersupplied. Source and Source

Self-storage companies offer a number of benefits for commercial real estate investments. One key benefit is that they can generate strong cash flow and ROI due to high demand across the country. Self-storage facilities are also relatively easy to manage compared to other types of investment properties, as they are often fully automated and tenants typically stay for a few months at a time. Additionally, self-storage is a recession-resistant investment, meaning that it will not be dramatically impacted by economic downturns or market fluctuations. This makes self storage a reliable asset class and an attractive option for investors who are looking to safeguard their investments over the long term.

Self-storage facilities also have low operational costs, as they often don't require on-site staff and the costs of operating self-storage facilities are generally lower than other types of commercial real estate investments. This leads to higher profits and fewer headaches for investors, as well as higher net operating incomes.

The top self-storage companies in terms of customer service and satisfaction are U-Haul and CubeSmart. U-Haul has been in business since 1945 and currently has more than 1,800 self-storage facilities across the U.S. and Canada. Its facilities offer extended access hours, online payments, and a wide selection of packing and moving supplies. Additionally, U-Haul facilities typically offer features such as 24-hour video surveillance, code-controlled gate entry, and individual unit alarms. CubeSmart, based in Malvern, Pa., has an operating portfolio of 86.8 million square feet across more than 1,250 properties in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Founded in 2004 as U-Store-It Trust, the company targets existing facilities nationwide.