Jeff attended the ARGUS + SmartStop Owners Conference wearing his owner hat — not just as a broker, but as someone who understands what it means to have capital at risk. The sessions covered everything from capital markets and supply trends to revenue management and AI. What stood out most was how direct the conversations were. No big promises. No silver bullets. Just a clear look at where the industry is today — and what owners need to pay attention to over the next few years.

Here are the key takeaways that matter most to owners.

1. Storage Is Normalizing — Not Breaking

Yes, 2025 was a tougher year in the public markets. REIT performance dipped and expectations for 2026 growth are modest

But zoom out:

• 25-year average returns for self-storage are about 16.76%
• Loan delinquency remains extremely low (around 0.1%)
• New supply is slowing after years of heavy development
  

This feels more like a reset after the post-COVID run-up — not a structural issue with the asset class.

2. Argus + SmartStop = Scale + Tech

SmartStop now owns and manages 460+ properties across the U.S. and Canada and recently completed a major IPO.

What stood out wasn’t just size — it was the investment in systems:

• Centralized data infrastructure
• Dynamic pricing models
• Real-time reporting
• AI-supported decision tools
  

The theme: sharper execution across every property.

For independent owners, that level of discipline is becoming the new standard.

3. Revenue Management Is Now Critical

Occupancy alone isn’t the metric anymore.

SmartStop’s team shared how they focus on:

• Conversion timing (most rentals happen within 3–7 days of inquiry)
• Existing Customer Rate Increases driving meaningful revenue lift
• Continuous pricing adjustments based on demand signals
  

In a flatter growth environment, small operational improvements compound quickly.

4. Markets Are Hyper-Local

Occupancy benchmarks still matter:

• 90%+ physical occupancy often signals undersupply
• Mid-80s is equilibrium
• Below 85% can indicate pressure

But broad metro headlines don’t tell the full story. Performance is trade-area specific.

That reinforces something we see every day across Arizona, Utah, and Nevada — the details inside a 3-mile radius matter more than national trends.

5. Consolidation Isn’t Over

Only about 30% of self-storage is institutionally owned.

There’s still room for capital to move in, and for owners to make strategic decisions about scale, partnerships, or exits.

Bottom Line

The industry isn’t slowing down — it’s getting more disciplined.

The next few years will reward owners who:

• Watch their local supply closely
• Stay proactive on pricing
• Focus on conversion and retention
• Make decisions based on real data

If you want to talk through what this means for your specific property or submarket, we’re always happy to compare notes- Contact Us

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