Secondary Self-Storage Investment Will Stay Hot in 2019

Self-storage investment in secondary markets on the West Coast will continue to thrive in 2019, with plenty of capital chasing deals—but some markets may be hitting their peak. Las Vegas and the Inland Empire will be the most active secondary markets, but Phoenix—which has been a hot market for self-storage investment—could be starting to cool off.

“I believe all three of these markets will be very, very active in 2019.  There is a plethora of capital chasing deals and these are geographies that are still of interest from an investors’ perspective,” Charles Byerly, president and CEO of US Storage Centers, tells GlobeSt.com. “With that said, as over-supply plays out in Phoenix and rates decreasing in many Phoenix markets, it will be important for developers and acquirers to do their homework on the markets and understand where supply is imminent. That will put pressure on existing assets across the greater Phoenix market.

Las Vegas is Byerly’s top choice for investment in 2019, but he says that the Inland Empire will also be a strong market, especially considering that there is limited supply. “Las Vegas is one of the few markets where rents have held up and are still growing. As I mentioned above, Las Vegas has historically been a late-cycle market, so it isn’t a surprise it is one of the last few markets to remain strong,” says Byerly. “The Inland Empire will remain fairly strong from an investors’ appetite perspective as long as supply doesn’t get out of control. Right now, it appears to be “right-sized,” which should keep cap rates low and the value of existing assets strong.