Storage Wins

EP39: LIVE Coaching - Why You've Been Chasing Storage for 8 Months But Can't Close a Deal with Eric Dumais Part 1

Have you been spinning your wheels trying to land your first storage deal—reading, underwriting, watching from the sidelines—but still no contract? If so, this live coaching episode is a must-listen. I sat down with Eric Dumais, a self-storage investor in the making, who's been chasing deals for eight months but can't seem to get across the finish line. In part one of this two-part series, we dive deep into the real reason you're stuck—and spoiler: it's not the market, lack of deals, or money. It's mindset. I help Eric unpack what's keeping him stuck, the dangers of staying too close to home, and how the fear of the unknown is costing you time and opportunity. Whether you're like Eric, searching in your backyard, or you're overwhelmed by expanding your buy box, this episode is going to challenge your thinking and help you move forward with clarity and confidence. You'll Learn How To: * Get out of analysis paralysis and take the next step in your journey * Expand your buy box without feeling overwhelmed * Identify the mental roadblocks that are really keeping you stuck * Build meaningful relationships with mom-and-pop storage owners * Move from passive research to active deal-making What You'll Learn in This Episode: * [1:00] The real reason you're stuck—and it's not lack of money or deals * [4:15] Eric's background and his journey from beer brewing to self-storage * [6:10] What financial freedom really means (and what it's actually costing you) * [8:50] The hidden cost of staying in your comfort zone * [11:48] The fear behind expanding your buy box—and how to overcome it * [16:53] Why narrowing your focus too soon is slowing down your success * [19:54] The power of boots on the ground and building real relationships * [26:38] Why thinking long-term and relationally leads to deal flow Who This Episode Is For: Investors stuck in the "learning phase" but haven't closed a deal yet Anyone afraid to expand beyond their local market DIYers who overthink, over-plan, and under-execute People who are serious about buying their first facility in the next 6–12 months Why You Should Listen: If you've been chasing deals for months (or even years) and can't seem to break through, this episode is your wake-up call. Eric's story might be yours too—and by hearing his live coaching, you'll gain the mindset shifts and next steps you need to finally take action and get your first deal under contract. Follow Alex Pardo here: * Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/https://alexpardo.com/ [https://alexpardo.com/] * Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 [https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15] * Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 [https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25] * Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardohttps://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo [https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo] * Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/https://storagewins.com/ [https://storagewins.com/] Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/]

EP38: LIVE Coaching Session - Listen to Alex Analyze a Real Storage Deal From Top to Bottom with Brandon Rickman

Ever look at a storage deal and think "I have no clue if this is actually a good deal or a financial disaster?" You're not alone. Most investors guess, cross their fingers, and hope they didn't just overpay by six figures. In this special live coaching episode, Alex sits down with Brandon Rickman, a successful single-family investor making the jump into self-storage. You'll hear Alex analyze a real storage deal step by step, how to spot red flags, what the numbers actually mean, and how to know if a deal is worth pursuing or walking away from. This is as close as it gets to having Alex look over your shoulder while you analyze your own deal. You'll Learn How To: * Tell if a storage deal is worth a deeper look in under 10 minutes * Quickly estimate what a facility is really worth * Understand cap rates without the confusion * Compare street rates to find hidden upside * Avoid overpaying for a deal that looks good on paper What You'll Learn in This Episode: * [00:00] Why most investors overthink storage deals and still get them wrong * [04:00] Brandon's jump from single-family into self-storage development * [08:30] The one mistake that causes investors to overpay for storage facilities * [12:45] How Alex quickly estimates a deal's value using simple math * [18:00] Understanding cap rates without the confusion * [23:30] How to compare market rates to uncover hidden upside * [30:00] What makes a storage deal worth pursuing vs. walking away * [38:00] Why buying on pro forma can destroy your returns * [43:30] Why they're turning this into a two-part deep dive Who This Episode Is For: * Investors curious about getting into self-storage but unsure how to evaluate deals * Single-family investors ready to transition into long-term cash-flow assets * Anyone tired of guessing and wanting real clarity on deal analysis Why You Should Listen: If you've ever felt overwhelmed by storage numbers, cap rates, or underwriting, this episode will give you clarity. You'll hear Alex break everything down in plain English using a real deal, real questions, and real coaching. No hype, just practical insight you can actually use on your next deal. Follow Alex Pardo here: * Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ [https://alexpardo.com/] * Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 [https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15] * Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 [https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25] * Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo [https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo] * Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/https://storagewins.com/ [https://storagewins.com/] Follow Brandon Rickman here: * Brandon Rickman Website:https://www.theflipgenius.com [https://www.theflipgenius.com]/ * Brandon Rickman YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrandonRickman [https://www.youtube.com/@BrandonRickman] Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/]

EP37: 7 Steps to Owning Your First Storage Facility in 2026!

Ready to buy your first storage facility but feeling overwhelmed with where to start? In this episode, I walk you through the exact seven-step roadmap we use inside the Storage Wins community to take you from stuck to signed deal in six to twelve months—even if you're starting from zero. No more second-guessing what to do next or what order to follow. I lay it all out for you. If you've been spinning your wheels wondering whether to chase deals, find funding, or figure out your market first, this episode is going to bring clarity. You'll learn how to define your buy box, choose the right market, build deal flow, fund your deal (without using your own money), and confidently make offers with a due diligence plan that sets you up for success. This is your blueprint to finally get that first storage facility under your belt in 2026. You'll Learn How To: * Create a clear vision with a custom buy box and freedom number * Analyze the two markets that matter most in storage investing * Build consistent deal flow using a simple and proven system * Evaluate, fund, and structure deals using creative financing * Execute a due diligence checklist that sets your first deal up for success * Optimize your storage facility from day one for long-term cashflow What You'll Learn in This Episode: * [0:00] Why storage investing success starts with supply, demand, and direction * [1:00] Why winging it doesn't work—and what successful students do instead * [2:55] Step 1: Define your freedom number and build your buy box blueprint * [5:12] Step 2: Use the 2-market method to analyze both people and property * [9:58] Step 3: Build your deal flow machine using the LMAO method * [14:32] Step 4: Analyze deals with simple back-of-the-napkin math * [19:10] Step 5: Fund your deal with other people's money * [21:31] Step 6: Make smart offers and conduct real due diligence * [26:14] Step 7: Take over and optimize like a pro—even as a first-timer Why You Should Listen: You don't need to "figure it all out." You just need the right system and support. This episode gives you the seven-step framework I've personally used—and that dozens of my clients have followed—to successfully buy their first facility. If 2026 is going to be your year, this is your launchpad. Who This Episode Is For: * Aspiring investors who want a clear, repeatable path to their first deal * Anyone stuck in analysis paralysis and unsure of what to do next * Storage beginners who want to avoid the biggest early mistakes * People who value a roadmap, mentorship, and community support Follow Alex Pardo here: * Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ [https://alexpardo.com/] * Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 [https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15] * Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 [https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25] * Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo [https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo] * Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/ [https://storagewins.com/] Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/]

EP36: You Don't Need $500K to Buy a Storage Facility - You Need This Instead

Most beginners dramatically overestimate how much capital it takes, and that belief alone keeps them stuck. The truth is, the number you think you need is probably wrong, and the small deal you keep dismissing might be the one that transforms everything. In this episode, Alex Pardo reveals the real amount of money you need to get started, why small facilities are the fastest path to freedom, and how investors inside his community consistently close deals with little to none of their own cash. He breaks down facility sizes, common beginner mistakes, creative financing structures, and the mindset shift that makes funding fall into place. You'll learn the framework for finding great opportunities, structuring terms, and getting the capital to show up. You'll Learn How To: * Find and analyze mom-and-pop storage opportunities with real value add * Structure deals using seller financing, SBA loans, and equity partners * Build trust with operators, lenders, and partners even as a beginner * Use the LMAO method to generate leads * Think like a transaction engineer so you can close with $0 out of pocket What You'll Learn in This Episode: * [00:00] How mindset and deal flow matter more than money * [03:00] Why most beginners overestimate capital * [06:00] The three types of storage facilities * [09:00] How traditional bank financing works * [12:00] Buying storage with zero out of pocket * [14:00] How seller financing and equity partners make deals possible * [16:00] The LMAO method for finding deals and making offers * [18:00] Creative strategies that let you close with little to no capital * [19:00] Why your first deal is the most important step toward freedom * [20:00] How one great facility can change your entire financial trajectory Who This Episode Is For: * New investors who think they need huge capital to enter self-storage * Action takers stuck in analysis paralysis who want a simple starting framework * W2 employees looking for their first cash-flowing deal * Anyone who wants to use creative financing to buy a facility Why You Should Listen: Success in storage isn't about your bank account, it's about your ability to find great deals and structure them the right way. Learn how money follows deals, how beginners are closing facilities with none of their own cash, and how one small facility can be the deal that changes your life forever. Follow Alex Pardo here: * Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ [https://alexpardo.com/] * Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 [https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15] * Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 [https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25] * Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo [https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo] * Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/ [https://storagewins.com/] Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/]

EP35: Does Size Matter - While You're Debating Deal Size, Someone Else Just Bought Their Third Facility

Are you stuck over-analyzing your first storage deal? Wondering whether to wait for the big 30,000+ sq ft opportunity or just pull the trigger on something smaller? In this episode, Alex breaks down the real truth behind deal size, what actually matters, what doesn't, and how to figure out which type of facility fits you. Whether you're brand-new or already shopping for your next building, this framework will help you move faster, think clearly, and stop missing opportunities. You'll Learn How To: * Know if you should start with a small facility or swing bigger on deal one * Underwrite a small deal without getting trapped by tiny margins * Spot the hidden upside in mom-and-pop operations most buyers overlook * Build confidence, credibility, and deal flow one win at a time * Use momentum as fuel to scale instead of waiting for the perfect deal What You'll Hear in This Episode: * [00:55] Why most new investors stall out deciding between small vs big deals * [02:30] The 3-factor framework to pick your ideal first facility * [05:45] Why small deals create confidence, cash flow, and momentum fast * [07:15] The upside in mom-and-pop facilities and how to unlock it * [10:40] Expense ratios, risk, and the one mistake rookies make most * [14:20] The rule of thumb for underwriting small storage facilities * [17:50] Real stories: how members used small wins to scale into bigger deals * [25:10] When going big actually makes more sense * [27:45] The Buy Box Blueprint that removes guesswork and saves months Who This Episode Is For: * New investors stuck in research mode and scared to make the wrong move * Anyone debating deal size and unsure where to start * Operators who want clarity, confidence, and forward motion * Investors ready to stop watching others win, and start stacking their own Why You Should Listen: Because the wrong first deal isn't a small one or a big one, it's no deal at all.This episode gives you the clarity and framework to move, decide, and finally step into your first or next storage win. Whether your path starts small or launches big, the key is momentum, and today's episode shows you how to build it. Follow Alex Pardo here: * Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ [https://alexpardo.com/] * Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 [https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15] * Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 [https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25] * Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo [https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo] * Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/ [https://storagewins.com/] Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/]