Welcome, Schelli! North Highlands is the Sac-town area, correct? I've been to Sacramento a couple of times, and I actually really like it as a city.

It's a California city that isn't as outrageously expensive as some of the others, is a state capital, pretty clean and still plenty of stuff going on.

It kind of reminds me of Midwestern state capitals like Indianapolis and Columbus.

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John Carlisle
Community Manager, Self-Storage Talk
Virgo Publishing LLC
jcarlisle at vpico dot com
312-623-9395

Hi. Yes, we are about 20 mins from downtown Sac (depending on traffice). Love it here. My husband and I were both born and raised in Sac. We moved to Texas (the people their were awesome) for about 1 1/2 years but I got homesick so we moved back.

New as of today- just signed contract on my first property - a small mini storage and car wash combo with room for expansion-

hope it ends up being a profitable business

Welcome buggynutz! Looking forward to hearing your input, this forum is a great place to learn...to vent...but especially to learn from other's experiences

Pat
Jamestown, NC

Welcome to the industry and to the forum, buggynutz! How exciting! This is a great group of people to share a vocation with.

Here are a couple of resources I recommend:
First of all, Inside Self-Storage magazine is a the monthly publication affiliated with this forum. Visit the Web site here and/or sign up for a print subscription here. You might also subscribe to the free e-newsletter, which will give you weekly updates on what's happening in the industry.

In the same vein, you might look into the Inside Self-Storage World Expo. This year, it's happening March 1-3 in Las Vegas. Three days of non-stop learning about the industry and networking with industry veterans and vendors who will get you off on the right foot. Register here.

Lastly, since you mentioned your facility has a car wash, I recommend Modern Car Care magazine, which is a publication for car care operators and professions.

Best wishes to you and let me know if you have any questions.

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John Carlisle
Community Manager, Self-Storage Talk
Virgo Publishing LLC
jcarlisle at vpico dot com
312-623-9395

Hi, I'm new here. Just trying to figure out how to use the forum.
I'm excited to discuss my storage business with others who can help with my new venture.
We built new about a year ago. We're still not up to even 90% occupancy. We had a large workshop on one end. We decided we needed more large units so we took the shop out and have added 8 more units. These new units are insulated and have power on the inside. We just finished them and have 4 units rented. It's a cold winter here and some of the smaller units have never been rented. Any suggestions on marketing. We are in the Local Yellow pages and also on the internet.

Welcome, BallStorage, to the best self-storage forum on the Internet.

All of your questions are right up the collective alley of our users, so I'm sure they'll be on to lend some insight soon. If you have any questions about the rules of the site or have any technical problems, I'm your guy.

Feel free to start threads, answer threads and ask questions in all of the other forums. We're glad you're here!

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John Carlisle
Community Manager, Self-Storage Talk
Virgo Publishing LLC
jcarlisle at vpico dot com
312-623-9395

Hello to "Ball Storage" and welcome!
Regarding 90% occupancy, in this economy that would be incredible! So wherever you are given that all is being done that can be done in regards to occupancy rest easy knowing that I guess. Good-Luck to you!

Welcome Ball Storage-- I also was very impressed with a new facility-- 1 year old and 90 % occupancy!! Very good job.

Now there is a general rule-- around 90% O-- you raise rates on vacant units (of that certain size)-- crack down on delinquents (yes boot them out) and consider very slowly & slightly increasing rates of existing tenants.

I do this by size-- by payment record-- by length of stay etc. I try not to increase anyone who is prepay-- or auto pay. And try not to do any increase for 1 year. But even if you bump them $2 they get the idea-- if you stay you pay! Again-- Welcome to SST-- Julie
PS--- Late payers, trouble makers and in general people who rub me the wrong way get bigger increases sooner--- you play-- you PAY!

Does anybody know of something for managers to do/sell that would create other income besides truck rental.moving supplies Etc. Something totaly off the wall ? Thanks Barry