Inside the World of Self-Storage: Profitable Deals, Risk Mitigation, and Raising Private Money with Bill Kanatas and Benjamin Salzberg

When people think of real estate investment, their minds often drift to residential or multifamily properties, maybe even commercial buildings bustling with tenants. Yet, beneath the radar, self-storage has quietly established itself as one of the strongest and most resilient asset classes available. In a recent episode of "Raising Private Money," host Jay Conner sat down with seasoned developers Bill Kanatas and Benjamin Salzberg to unpack what makes self-storage such a powerful and reliable investment — and why astute investors and lenders keep funneling capital its way.

Simplicity and Security: The Self-Storage Advantage

Unlike sectors like multifamily housing, self-storage benefits from a much simpler operating model. Managing self-storage units doesn’t require dealing with traditional tenants, midnight maintenance calls, or lengthy eviction processes. Instead, storage facilities operate with a customer relationship that is more transactional and less risky. When a customer stops paying, owners initiate a lien process rather than a drawn-out eviction, streamlining revenue recovery and reducing legal headaches.

This streamlined setup not only boosts operational stability but also mitigates unexpected costs or drawn-out disputes. For many investors, this lower barrier to operational complexity is a strong attractor, allowing them to benefit from a stable cash-flowing asset without the typical headaches and liabilities present in other real estate ventures.

Data-Driven Development and Value Creation

Building a profitable self-storage portfolio requires more than just buying the nearest vacant lot and erecting some buildings. According to Bill Kanatas and Benjamin Salzberg, successful development hinges on a meticulous, data-driven approach. Their process starts with analyzing key indicators like population density, income levels, competition, and traffic counts. Barriers to entry, such as restrictive zoning or competitive saturation, are also carefully assessed.

Once a lucrative site is identified, the team works closely with local authorities and communities, often negotiating tax incentives or revitalizing underutilized properties to unlock additional value. For example, they have transformed blighted properties, like a closed-down retail space, into vibrant, income-producing self-storage facilities, breathing new life into both the property and its surrounding area.

Raising and Protecting Capital

A major focus of the conversation was about ensuring investor safety. Bill Kanatas and Benjamin Salzberg shared that their group invests its own resources upfront to handle entitlements, secure permits, and conduct necessary due diligence before any outside investor money enters the deal. Only after the groundwork has been meticulously laid do they invite private capital, thus protecting investors from unnecessary risk.

Transparency, trust, and consistent communication are the foundation of their relationships with investors and lenders. When issues arise, direct and timely communication ensures that challenges are addressed together, fostering strong, long-term partnerships. Their approach has attracted capital from family offices, funds, and private individuals who want the security of knowing their investments are handled with care and guarded by experience.

Operational Excellence and Long-Term Profitability

Once a storage facility is up and running, operational efficiency becomes key. Many smaller operators, especially those managing just a handful of locations, lack the robust systems and processes needed to maximize profitability. The self-storage leaders featured in the podcast emphasize the power of process — ensuring seamless customer onboarding, fast responses to inquiries, and rigorous property maintenance. By instituting clear, repeatable procedures, they close the financial leaks that can gnaw away at profits over time.