Based in Huntington Beach, CA, Self Storage Economics was part of the Sonne Group Inc., a full-service real estate appraisal and consulting company founded in 1993. In 2002, the Sonne Group set up Self Storage Economics as a separate division handling self storage practice. The econometric models developed by the company have been used in more than 100 major metropolitan markets across the US. These models forecast the market demand for self storage properties.

"There have been 41,000 self storage facilities constructed in the US during the last 50 years," Sonne tells GlobeSt.com. "That's two per day. And we see this continuing. It's a lot like apartments; it's a month-to-moth rental and it's local. The return on investment is outstanding."

Sonne, a member of appraisal institute, adds that while he fears saturation by small, local companies, the pricing of real estate in urban areas makes those areas prohibitive for smaller entities. "Land cost is a barrier for entering any market," says Sonne. "A 10-by-10 unit that would cost $80 in most places is going to cost double that in New York or L.A. Right now less than 20% of the self storage business is controlled by national companies."

Cushman & Wakefield see this as another valuable valuation in its stable. "This strategic move will allow C&W's Valuation Services to significantly expand its penetration in the self storage market, offering a wider range of appraisal services and market studies nationwide," says John D. Busi, an executive managing director with Cushman & Wakefield's Valuation Services.