A significant amount of commercial real estate debt is coming due, and self-storage owners with loans approaching maturity should be paying attention. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), approximately $875 billion of commercial and multifamily mortgage balances—17% of outstanding debt—is scheduled to mature in 2026. Another $652 billion is scheduled to mature in 2027. For owners, a loan maturity isn't simply a date on a calendar. It can force an important decision: refinance,...

For many self-storage owners, selling represents the culmination of years of building, operating, and improving a facility. But maximizing value often begins well before the property is placed on the market. Buyers ultimately evaluate a facility based on its income, operations, physical condition, market position, and future potential. Owners who focus on these areas before selling may be better positioned to attract qualified buyers and achieve stronger pricing. 1. Focus on Net Operating...

Self-storage investors can spend hours underwriting a property only to discover that the deal never made sense in the first place. Before building a detailed financial model, perform a quick initial screen to determine whether the opportunity deserves more of your time. Here are six things you can evaluate in about 15 minutes. 1. Start With the Current NOI Look at the property's trailing financials and determine the actual Net Operating Income—not simply the seller's projected NOI. Pay...