The Good, Bad, & the Ugly of Self Storage

The SECRET Tax Moves Your CPA Isn’t Telling You: Exposing the Storage Tax Game

In this episode Michael and Dylan Cunningham discuss tax strategies for self-storage investors with Heidi Henderson, Chief Marketing Officer at Engineered Tax Services. Heidi explains various tax incentives, including cost segregation, which can accelerate depreciation and reduce tax liabilities. She also covers the benefits of being a real estate professional, which allows for more deductions. The discussion includes the impact of the "Big Beautiful Bill" on bonus depreciation and opportunity zones, which offer tax-free gains for investments in designated low-income areas. Additionally, they touch on advanced tax strategies like captive insurance and charitable lead trusts for high-net-worth individuals. The discussion also touches on the importance of tax strategies for self-storage owners, suggesting that those not advised on these matters may need to seek new tax advisors. Heidi Henderson hhenderson@engineeredtaxservices.com

Buying, Selling & Surviving Storage in 2025: Insider tips with John Lindsey

John Lindsey, founder of Lindsey Self Storage Group [https://lindseyselfstoragegroup.com], discussed his journey into the self-storage industry, starting in 1969 with his father. He highlighted the impact of rate hikes and elections on the market, noting a significant increase in transactions in 2025. Lindsey emphasized the importance of conservative development strategies, especially in oversaturated markets. He advised first-time buyers to start local, get pre-approved, and consider management companies. Lindsey also noted the shift towards AI and remote management technologies. Despite challenges, he remains optimistic about the sector's future, noting that good deals can be found if one navigates the debt aspect carefully. He emphasizes the importance of thorough title searches and hiring competent attorneys to avoid issues. john@lindseyselfstoragegroup.com

Behind the Scenes of Atomic Storage: 150 Sites and the Systems Behind Them

Mike and Dylan discuss strategies for self-managed storage facilities with Rick Beal and Megan Smith of Atomic Storage Group [https://atomicstoragegroup.com/]. Rick emphasize the importance of fundamental marketing practices, such as optimizing Google business profiles and using quality backlinks. They highlight the need for efficient lead conversion through AI-based phone software and personalized customer service. The conversation also covers the challenges of managing 150 properties, including hiring practices, deferred maintenance, and balancing customer service with business profitability. Megan stresses the importance of documented systems and procedures to ensure consistency and efficiency. They emphasize the importance of affordable, reliable technology that aligns with business fundamentals rather than complicating operations. They stress staying updated with trends, especially AI, and adapting to market changes. info@atomicstoragegroup.com

The Rise of Stuf: How Katharine Lau is Scaling Self Storage Without Building a Single Facility

Katharine Lau, founder of Stuff Storage and Sidney AI, discussed her journey from hotel development to transforming underutilized office spaces into tech-enabled self-storage facilities. She highlighted the company's growth from 25 units in a basement to 30 locations in seven major cities, emphasizing the use of revenue-sharing leases and technology to scale operations. Kat introduced Sidney AI, a customer-facing AI agent handling sales and customer service, trained on five years of call data. The company aims to expand nationally and globally, leveraging AI to enhance customer experience and streamline operations.

The Pug Pack Playbook: Inside StoragePug with Tommy Nguyen

Tommy Nguyen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommynguyen865/], co-founder of StoragePug, discussed the evolving self-storage industry at the ISS show, highlighting positive energy and tech advancements, including AI. He emphasized the importance of accurate Google Business Profiles, unique content on websites, and effective concessions like 50% off the first two months. Tommy advised focusing on Google Ads over platforms like SpareFoot, stressing the need for transparency in pricing and rate guarantees. He also noted the impact of advocating for clear communication of fees and rates to maintain customer trust. The discussion focused on improving self-storage rental processes and customer experience. He also emphasized the importance of transparent pricing, with no hidden fees, and highlighted a client's success from 11% to 33% online rentals in a year. Key metrics for improving online presence include getting 10 more reviews monthly, auditing the rental process to ensure it takes no more than 90 seconds, and using AI tools to monitor online visibility. tommy@storagepug.com