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5 Ways to Find the Best Self-Storage Facility

storage-unitsIf self-storage is something you are in need of now (or the near future), locating the best facility is certainly of importance.

For many homeowners and renters, finding the right self-storage facility can prove trickier than they may have first thought.

As more facilities emerge nationwide, it can be challenging to determine which one best suits your needs. Also, what should your priorities be in selecting a facility? Do you go for the one closest to where you live? Should you take the one with the best prices? How much of a role does the neighborhood where it is located matter?

Those are but a few of the questions you should be able to answer before putting your John Hancock on the dotted line of a contract.

Put Some Time and Effort into Your Search

If you’re going to be searching for a self-storage unit sooner than later, make sure you do your homework.

When it comes right down to it, five ways to find the best self-storage facility would be:

  1. Internet – Unless you have something against computer technology, the Internet is a treasure-trove of information awaiting you. Use the worldwide web to help you separate the various self-storage facilities in and around your city. As you look at putting self-storage to use, surf the Internet. Many such facilities have websites, sites that tell you just about all you need to know. From unit sizes to costs and more, self-storage facility websites are worth a look. If you don’t have a particular facility site in mind, doing a Google search will get you started. Searching terms such as cheap storage, self-storage, storage facility usually does the trick;
  2. Television ads – Despite the explosion of the Internet over the last couple of decades, many self-storage facility owners still feel that television advertisements are worth their time. The commercials tend to be 60 seconds or less, so how much can you learn in such a short TV spot? Actually, you can learn a fair amount of information, so pay attention to those ads. In some cases, customer testimonials will appear in the ads too.

Newspapers Aren’t Dead Quite Yet

  1. Newspaper ads – Despite the reported demise of newspapers, there are still a fair amount of them around to this day. As a result, self-storage facilities can get their message across on full-page ads or something a little smaller. In many instances, they will go for the Sunday newspaper, especially given the fact that day is still a popular home subscriber or vending machine day nationwide. Between coupons and more consumers kicking back on Sundays to relax, it is a good day to advertise in the local papers;
  2. Take a drive – If you’re out for a weekend drive (or even during the week on a work break), drive around town to see which self-storage facilities are available. Unless you are talking a really small town, it is all but impossible not to find such a facility (usually more than one) near where you reside. Stop in, grab a business card, and even take a tour of a unit if you have the time. Make sure to get as much information as possible, allowing you to digest it a little bit later. If the facility doesn’t have brochures, check them out on their website. Also have your cell phone with you to snap a couple pictures of the units and the surroundings;
  3. Word-of-mouth – Finally, there’s nothing like word-of-mouth from family and friends to help you out. Check with those you know having or currently using storage, getting their two cents on which facilities they’d recommend. In some cases, customers referring others to the facility could get a discount etc. In turn, you might even end up splitting the amount.

Given the market in the U.S. for self-storage facilities and quite frankly many other places around the globe, finding a quality facility might be easier than you think.

If you have any questions, please ask below!