Whether you’re new to the self-storage industry or have been around the block a few (or a hundred) times, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as an investor is whether to acquire existing assets or build them from the ground up. Each has compelling pros and cons in 2026. Which will you choose? If you need help or would just like to hear a fresh perspective, this is the workshop for you.

This four-hour session, led by an expert who has both acquired and built self-storage facilities on behalf of large industry players, is designed to help you choose the right investment path. You’ll get actionable, lender-grade strategies to help you weigh opportunities, compare the risks, and chart a course for long-term profitability. This is your chance to make smart investing decisions. It starts with attending this workshop!

You’ll learn:

The impact of your financial resources, professional experience and geographic preferences on the build/buy decision
How to identify your investment goals and risk/reward balance
How acquisition and new construction compare in terms of process, costs, timeline, potential return and other critical factors
The true impact of interest rates and how they factor into 2026 decision-making
Why the recent market correction has created a classic setup for outsized internal rate of return
Why building in 2026 is the ultimate counter-cyclical play
The blueprint to acquire now and operate through the recovery
A gut-check on equity requirements and full-recourse loans that put your personal assets on the line
How stabilized assets unlock superior financing that shields you from personal guarantees
The five key fallacies regarding pro formas and how to instantly spot them
A battle-tested plan to model, reserve for and survive the negative-leverage phase of a new build
The critical difference between purchase price and all-in cost
How to find the “hidden gold” in an asset that other investors will miss
The importance of the value-add play and how to leverage it for maximum return
The importance of economic occupancy (real collections) when evaluating acquisitions
How to eliminate political hurdles and community pushback as reasons to avoid development

Inside Self-Storage World Expo 2026

Investing Workshop: Buy vs. Build

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