Posts Tagged ‘Self’

Winterizing Your Boat in Self Storage

Posted by on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. Leave a Comment

Once the crispness of autumn hits the air it is a good indicator that it is time to get the boat ready for winter storage. If only there was a way to simplify this process. Well, good news, there is! If you can make a comprehensive list of what needs to be done to properly winterize your boat. If you are new to this process then check online or with your local marina and they should have one printed up for their customers to use. There are several key issues that have to be addressed but don’t be intimidated, it sounds scarier than it really is, IF you are organized.

Include preparing the engine, plumbing, and electronics first. Then address any other things that your boat might require. Spend some time creating the initial list because you can use it each year and it is sure to pay off especially because it addresses your boat specifically. You will be able to relax over the winter knowing that your boat is safe and sound and will be ready to hit the water in the spring. Possibly this might also be the best time for you to tend to some of those things, little imperfections or maintenance that you have been procrastinating on all summer such as little dings, exhaust, etc.

First, clean your boat both inside and out very thoroughly. Plus while you are doing that you might find some little surprises that you weren’t aware of that need to be tended to. Anything that is electronic needs to be stored where it is warm and dry and you should also take such things as fire extinguishers, sails, curtains, and PFD’s off of the boat for safe storage on land. Clean out the refrigerator and always be sure to leave it propped open. This will eliminate any mildew from developing over the winter months.

When it comes to the engine cooling systems and the plumbing, flush the systems and fill them with virgin propylene glycol antifreeze. Remember, this is protecting your drinking system for the summer so make sure you don’t use any recycled products. If you really don’t feel confident in doing these things then consider hiring the job out to a boat mechanic. This will avoid costly repairs for the upcoming season. Make sure that bilge spaces are very clean and oil free. If you live in a region that endures harsh winters then consider putting an absorbent sock in it while it is in storage.

One big consideration is where you are going to store your boat and likely this will depend greatly on your budget. For all obvious reasons it would be best if your boat could be stored in a climate controlled storage facility where is will be safe and dry. However, these can cost a few bucks. A more affordable option is to store your boat outside and under a covering but this option will include allowing your boat to withstand at least some of the elements. It is a cheaper option though. Some have opted for shrink wrapping their boat but your boat will still be outdoors and have to endure the brutal winter temperatures.

Always place your boat in storage with a full tank of gas and be sure to add a fuel stabilizer. If you use ethanol fuel then just drain the tank and clean it well before you fill it next season. Any lead acid batteries need to come out and be stored where they can be fully charged and warm, possibly a heated garage. Read the battery manufacturers directions on how to store it for the winter months and follow that guide. Sometimes it is in your best interest to utilize portable heaters or air dryers on the boat while it is being stored. It really depends on your boat and where it will be stored.

Whatever choices you decide on just make sure that you have supported the hull because if you failed to do so you will run the risk of your bulkheads cracking, stringers can break, and there can be a misalignment in the engine. This is why people often choose cradles for their boats because they offer the proper support in the right areas.

These suggestions can be of great help to you when boat storage times comes rolling along as it does every year. It might seem at first that it is best to go with the cheaper route for storage but in the end it might have been easier and cheaper to just rent the climate controlled unit.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

How to Safely Store Your Jet Ski in Self Storage

Posted by on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. Leave a Comment

If you are someone who enjoys water sports, you know how great it can be to just get out on the water and have a wonderful time. No matter what type of water you are in, there are some ways to have a good time with various forms of water crafts that are available for purchase, lease or temporary rental in vacation locations that offer such items.

Jet skiing is one of the past times that many people subscribe to for the thrilling ride you can get when you’re on one. Some people remark that the water speeding out behind you and the power beneath your hands is addictive and can call you back the water again and again. Although it takes some skill and practice to learn to control a jet ski properly, part of the enjoyment is learning how to do just that after you’ve had some lessons.

Obviously, no one spends all their time in the water on a jet ski. Those who do not lease or rent their jet ski can sometimes be spotted towing them on a flat bed to the applicable dock and letting in the water to get the fun times started. If you are considering purchasing jet skis or even leasing them for a period of time, you need to have a place to safely store your jet ski in self storage.

No matter how balmy the southern belt weather may be, it is not a viable option to have your jet skis stored in your garage or even in a tarp-covered scenario in your driveway. This doesn’t even take into consideration how cluttered it will make your driveway look. It also doesn’t factor in the possibility that you may live in a community where homeowner’s association rules do not permit storage of any type of water crafts or mobile homes in your driveway for cosmetic and other reasons.

When you are considering options for storing your jet ski in self storage, you need to evaluate a few basic criteria to ensure that your jet ski will be stored safely. Perhaps the most important factor is selecting a self storage unit that will provide the right amount of space. The best way to determine a right fit without paying for more space than you need is to measure your jet ski. Be sure to allow room for the jet ski to fit into the self storage unit easily without bumping walls or having edges near the door when it is closed. If you are not sure about a right fit, consider giving a call to the retailer where you purchased or leased your jet ski from and ask if they know about the appropriate storage dimensions to ensure that you are not risking damaging your jet ski.

It is very important to know the dimensions for a leased jet ski because you don’t actually own the equipment; you are leasing it from the retailer for a specified period of time. You’ve signed a contract that makes you legally responsible for the equipment for the specified period of time that it is in your possession. This means if anything happens to your jet ski during the lease period, you are financially and legally liable.

When it comes to storing your jet ski in

Self storage is a great way to protect your jet ski from the weather’s elements, particular if you life in states where there are chances of hurricanes and tornados. Self storage can also be a smart idea to keep your jet ski protected from sun damage. One of the best things about self storing your jet ski is that you can keep it safe from all types of vandalism such as having parts removed, bumping into it with your own vehicle or natural disasters like lightning and wind storms.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Protecting Your Extra Vehicle in a Self Storage Unit

Posted by on Friday, January 8, 2010. Leave a Comment

Having to decide where you will store a car can be a real headache for many. You may ask a friend or someone in your family but maybe you can tell that they agreed even though they didn’t want to or maybe now you will owe someone a favor that you really do not want to subject yourself to. You would really rather handle the situation alone but maybe you haven’t explored your options quite yet. There are many reasons why one might need to store a car. Perhaps storage is needed for an extended vacation, a leave in the military, or maybe it is a classic car that needs special care. Whatever the reason is, there are many options for you. Leaving your car in the driveway is not longer a wise choice because it is vulnerable. Car storage has become increasingly popular and as technology continues to advance so do the options.

Located in many cities you will find storage facilities everywhere, they are never hard to locate. Some people for their own personal reasons need to have discreet storage for their car and that is never a problem either. You can surrender all of your worries when your vehicle is in storage. Some facilities offer features that many never dreamed of such as dehumidifiers that offer superior environments for cars as they help them remain dry and by eliminating the dampness from the environment there is less residual build up on your vehicle.

The days of self storage unit’s being strictly for people that were moving and needed to store their belongings has long been gone. The self storage arena is so far past that! They have opened niches that never seemed possible and it is working! What about those who have the swooped up muscle cars, especially retiring baby boomers. They have the money to restore and to store their new toys so they are safe from elements but also vandalism. Others have decided that car storage is a viable option because city ordinances have become so strict about where, when and how people can park their cars on city streets. It created more demand for storage needs.

There are many factors that play a substantial role in people no longer using their yards or driveways or even garages for that matter for their car storage needs. Populations are more congested and therefore people have to use alternate means of doing things and one of those things is how they store their vehicles. Plus, vandalism is much higher so it is simply not safe to leave vehicles anywhere where they are not secure anymore.

Military personnel that are being deployed often are looking for car storage solutions. Not knowing the length of their deployment can cause upset enough without having to worry about your car and what it might look like when you return from your mission. Regardless of the reason involved, most car owners do believe that storage facilities offer the best bang for their buck in terms of their cars. Plus the advantage of knowing that you have access to your vehicle all day, every day is also most assuring too. There are plenty of security features available at these storage facilities so there is no worry about vandalism. Your car and its contents will be safe.

Many people are engaging in businesses these days and often require the use of multiple vehicles including trailers, trucks and other vehicles. They surely can not start parking these vehicles all around their homes so they too opt for storage facilities for their vehicles. For the safety of everyone involved, if you are storing a vehicle then it must be registered in your name or the name of whomever places it in storage and it must be a functioning vehicle as no car repairs are permitted on most facility properties.

So now you know that there are plenty of options open to you if you find that you need car storage one day. This might have even opened up some ideas for you to consider for a while. Most of the time it is well worth the money to just place your car in its own private storage facility rather than to spend the energy asking around in a futile attempt to save a few bucks, especially if they storage will be extended. Regardless of the reason know that the options are open and that they are very beneficial to those who take advantage of them.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Keeping Your ATV Safe in Self Storage

Posted by on Friday, January 8, 2010. Leave a Comment

All terrain vehicles (ATV) are some of the most exciting vehicles you can ride. For all of the bad hype that they get about being unsafe, when you practices safe use of these vehicles, you can have the thrill of your lifetime riding out in the open across diverse terrains. Whether you own an ATV, rent or lease one, you may have need for self storage options for your ATV that keep it safe while not in use.

ATVs, by the definition of their name, are capable of doing some fantastic driving feats when you know how to control them. Many television commercials show professional stunt people doing some of the greatest jumps, twists and dives with their ATVs and subsequently landing safely on the ground. These inspiring few minutes on your TV screen can incite you to want to own an ATV of your own. Before you rush out to buy one though, you need to know that you can keep your ATV safe in self storage when it isn’t in use.

Keeping your ATV safe in self storage is virtually one of the best ways to make sure that your ATV doesn’t get damaged or stolen. Self storage for your ATV should take into consideration all of the factors that make you ATV safe. For example, there are many different types of ATVs. You shouldn’t look for self storage for any type of ATV other than the one you have.

When considering self storage facilities with drive up units, make sure your ATV will fit into the unit you’re looking at. A simple tape measure with sufficient footage can measure the front end of your ATV before you move it to the self storage facility and a measurement of the front door will help you determine if the unit is large enough before you sign a rental agreement. A word to the wise on drive up self storage units is that you should allow several feet in the front, back, sides and rear so that you are not scratching the paint or risking breaking off rear view mirrors or other customized attachments on your ATV.

The best way to find self storage that will keep your ATV safe is to start your search at home either in the yellow pages or on the Internet. Type in the search by your particular type of ATV and self storage and see what results you get back. You may be able to find reasonable self storage right in your own proverbial back yard. If not, don’t hesitate to have to drive a distance to get a good price and quality service. Remember that you are searching for self storage for your ATV, which means there’s some amount of time that you don’t need to use it or have access to it. So even if you have to drive 100 miles to find a great self storage facility for your ATV that has that just right price, go ahead and drive the distance knowing you’re placing your big toy in the safe keeping of a self storage facility until you need it again.

Keeping your ATV safe in self storage may be as simple as using word of mouth to find alternative storage options around your city or tri-county area. Many times auto shops and other mechanical type places will have room in their garage during the winter months when sales and repairs are slow and they will offer the space as storage for an ATV or other sport utility vehicle. This is a great way to store your ATV nearby if you plan to work on it during the winter such as reconditioning brakes or other parts of the system. Using local storage also means you don’t have to travel a great distance when you’re ready to use it. Local storage also allows for if you want to take your ATV out for that spontaneous pleasure ride and then put it right back into the storage.

Regardless of how long you need storage or the type of ATV you have, you want to keep your ATV safe in self storage that is reliable, predictable and reasonable and serves the needs you have for your particular ATV. This means don’t settle for a self storage facility that isn’t familiar with protecting ATVs just because it’s close or cheap since you may make a choice that you regret if something should bad happen to your ATV.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Deciphering Self Storage Terms And Conditions

Posted by on Thursday, January 7, 2010. Leave a Comment

When you are planning to use self-storage, deciphering self-storage terms and conditions can be a challenge, especially if you just want to store your items and worry about other things. You want something that is cheap and reliable, which will not damage your stuff or cause you undue worry. You also want something that is inexpensive and will not cost the same as a second apartment.

Self-storage, by nature, is a storage unit that you yourself rent out and keep your items stored. It is your responsibility to keep an eye on your items and to maintain them if maintenance is required. This form of storage is not for someone who needs a security guard watching his or her items constantly. If you are leaving the area for a time, you may not wish to choose this option due to the lack of someone regularly checking in on your items.

If you do not need to store a great deal of items, you may wish to choose a mini storage and cut down on the expense you will need to face in storing your things. If you have need to only store a small number of items, mini storage may be a great way for you to go. For instance, safety deposit boxes are considered mini storage and are only needed to secure important items that require only a minimal amount of space.

If you need storage for only a short amount of time, you may wish to choose a storage rental. This is best if you need to rent a space month to month. However, if you need to have a location long-term, you may wish instead to lease a storage location. This is best if you have something you need to store long-term like a vehicle or other large item. You would not wish to choose this option if you need to withdraw your items halfway through the term you have paid for as the storage center will often not refund you for the time you did not use, as they expected you would continue leasing for the rest of the term.

Long-term storage is especially useful if you have need of vehicle storage or other items. You are able to store your car or truck for an indefinite amount of time so long as you pay for this duration. If you go abroad for a number of years, or do a contract job for a year, this is a great option for you as it offers a flat rate and usually has security to watch whatever you decide to place inside your storage space.

If you have a boat, boat storage may be the option that is best for you, especially if you do not have a large home or garage where you can safely store your boat. This is a great method if you rent an apartment and wish to retain a boat that you can use in the summertime. Boat storage can allow someone to live wherever they wish, and then visit the beach where their boat is waiting to be picked up nearby.

Even if you do not have a boat, you may need a larger storage center if you need RV storage. If you enjoy recreational vehicle traveling, you know how large some of these RVs can be. Often very few individuals have the space at their homes available to keep an RV. For instance, if you live in a homeowner’s association, often you are forbidden from keeping an RV in your driveway or on your lawn year round. For the individuals who like to travel with their families in an RV, this is the way to go if you do not have the space to store your RV on your land and you wish for it to be secure.

Although the different storage terms are easy to figure out depending on your needs, often there are special conditions you must keep in mind. For instance, if you wish to have a storage center keep an eye on your items, you must allow access to security guards. Even if you do wish for this to happen, a storage center will deny responsibility for anything that is taken, requesting you to sign a disclaimer while you use their services.

In addition, if you use climate-controlled self-storage, you are solely responsible for maintaining the temperature at an appropriate level. This is especially important, as often the reason you want this kind of storage is to preserve something.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Self Storage Units in Pennsylvania

Posted by on Wednesday, January 6, 2010. Leave a Comment

Self storage units in Pennsylvania can be found throughout the state, especially in the city regions. These storage units allow non-homeowners and homeowners the ability to store items that are too big for the areas they in. For instance, if the individual owns an apartment and a boat, he or she would be able to use boat storage or vehicle storage to store the boat until it was time to use it. This is also true if the individual or family owns an RV and needs the services of an RV storage unit.

However, you do not need to have a large recreational vehicle to need a storage location to store your items. Mini storage is available as a storage rental if you need a place to store small items while you are elsewhere. If you plan to be gone for some time, long term storage is available for you to store your items for weeks, months, even years. If your items are fragile, you can request climate control storage in order to protect your fragile items from the temperatures, which can be found in the summers and winters of Pennsylvania. When it comes to a storage unit, the possibilities abound for any need you might have.

Some individuals believe they will be unable to afford a storage unit for their items. However, a self storage unit is far cheaper than other storage possibilities as it will allow you to store your items yourself and to take it on yourself to care for those items. This means you are completely responsible unless something drastic happens to the location like an earthquake, fire, or flood. If you are storing food in a climate control unit, be sure you verify the temperature you need to store the food at in order to prevent you food from spoiling.

Many individuals also believe their items will not be safe at a self storage center due to there never being anyone there at night. However, the police often patrol areas where self storage units are located and there are always security systems. Despite this, it is important you verify all black and white print concerning what the storage center will claim responsibility on. For instance, many self storage centers will not state openly they are not responsible but it is clearly visible in their contracts, which makes it vitally important you read your contract thoroughly and understand what each part means.

If you believe you will need it, you might wish to look into rental insurance for the items you will be storing in the storage unit. Always use photographic evidence to back up your claim to your insurance company and be aware that some limitations may apply. Question the limit on how much your insurance will cover if anything is stolen or damaged, and consider a manned storage center if you believe you will need something more secure for your valuables.

For some people there is nothing more valuable to them and more important than a family car. You can pass them down thorough generations, fix them and have a great time. Or you may even get a great car and want to give it to your child but they are not yet old enough to drive. It this happens you are able to use vehicle storage. This way you will know the car is safe until they are old enough to be able to drive and that your child is safe a not able to use the vehicle ahead of the time when you feel it is right.

In addition, some of the time because of marriage or for other reasons a car collector may move to a place that does not have nearly enough garage room for their collection or perhaps even their favorites. That does not mean that you have to give up your collection but simply that you have to find another safe place for your cars. Vehicle storage is great for this.

You can keep your old antique car that has been passed down to you or you can keep you wonderful new convertible. The type of car does matter but not nearly as much as that the vehicle is safe and sound. No collector of an item wants to give up what took them so long to be able to collect and with the help of self storage they do not have to let their cars go, their wine or any other items hat they may not be able to take with them.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Self Storage Considerations

Posted by on Tuesday, January 5, 2010. Leave a Comment

Are you contemplating putting lots of stuff into self storage because of an impending move or because you are overrun with lots of “stuff”? Do you need to make more space available in your garage or basement? If this sounds like you, you may be wondering if making use of a local self storage facility is a good idea. Since you will be storing your items on a third party’s property, you want to be sure that your belongings will be secure and not accessible to anybody but you and may one or two other authorized family members or friends. This article will give you some pointers about self storage and will certainly give you some things to think about.

It is very important to understand that there are many different self storage providers that are available to choose from. Each self storage provider will offer different features at different costs. You should make a short list of what self storage features are important to you prior to scoping out the various self storage provider in your area. There are a few self storage features that are more important than others.

Some self storage facilities use padlocks on the doors of outside storage units instead of built-in locking mechanisms. Padlocks can be cut so these could theoretically be seen as very significant security vulnerabilities. Most people prefer that their outside personal storage unit be equipped with a built in locking mechanism. This generally provides greater security for items included in such a storage unit because they are difficult, if not impossible, to break or compromise.

Indoor self storage units are almost always preferred by consumers over self storage units that are located outside. These types of storage unit facilities are generally equipped with security guards and closed circuit television security systems. In some cases, both of these types of security offerings are available. Some of these indoor self storage facilities even make a staff member available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. However, other self storage providers will only allow access to storage units at certain times, such as 8am to 10pm. You need to ask about and understand these restrictions prior to signing any kind of storage unit contract.

As you can see, there are several types of self storage units and services available to consumers. Although security is a major factor to consider when deciding which self storage provider and which self storage options to choose, cost is always another factor that must be considered. Added security usually means added costs as well. My personal feeling is that the added cost, if no exorbitant, is almost always worth the peace of mind in knowing that your personal effects are safe and secure at all times and that nobody but you and your authorized parties have access to it.

Now that you’ve been introduced to the different types of self storage offerings and the types of security available, you need to determine if self storage is right for you. Although you may be nervous at first, simply doing your homework will allow you to determine if self storage is a viable option for you and your belongings. As you read earlier, many self storage providers will permit access to your belongings at any time you wish. However, since this is not always the case, you need to ask questions first and be sure that the provider you are working with does, in fact, provide unlimited access to your personal effects that you have put into self storage.

One of the things you need to consider when investigating self storage offerings is what particular size storage area you will require. Since self storage units vary greatly in size, you need to be sure that you don’t “over-purchase”. If you only need 100 cubic feet of storage area, you really don’t want to spend unnecessarily on 3000 cubic feet of space. It would just be overkill. On the flip side, you need to be sure you do not purchase a self storage unit that is smaller than what you require. Having a discussion with the storage facility staff will generally be very helpful to you, ensuring you purchase exactly what you need.

Most self storage providers are very helpful. They want to build and maintain sound business relationships and they want their clients to return any time they require additional self storage units. It is always helpful to talk with the staff as I find them to be very helpful when deciding on whether or not a particular self storage offering would be beneficial to me.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

New Self Storage Trend – Condominiums

Posted by on Tuesday, January 5, 2010. Leave a Comment

Storage condominiums are one of the latest trends in self storage facilities. With a self storage condo, the customer purchases their entire storage unit outright and then is free to do with it what they wish, including renting or reselling it. Similar to residential condominiums, the new owner is obligated to pay association dues to the storage facility. These dues are usually allocated to cover common expenses or kept in a fund to cover future capital improvements.

Storage condominiums have benefits for both the facility manager and the customer. The manager no longer has to worry about collecting monthly rent or providing liability insurance. Their ongoing maintenance duties are usually reduced as most association fees do not include any work inside of the storage unit. The new owner is responsible for his or her own pest control, water damage repair, and fire prevention to protect their own belongings. The customer is free to add their own security systems to their storage condo, but security at the overall location remains the responsibility of the facility owner or management company.

Most storage condos are 14 feet wide and 40 feet deep, with other sizes also available as desired by the customer. Many of them include a residental garage door, complete with opener, for easy access to the space. There is generally 15-amp electrical power already installed in the storage unit, with fluorescent lighting and several electrical outlets. Larger condominiums may be wired for 60-amp power, with the utility bill being sent directly to the space owner instead of the facility manager. Some storage condominium facilities include shared services for use on RVs, motorcycles, and boats. These include repair stations, vehicle washing equipment, and dumping areas for RV waste products.

The unique set up of a storage condominium arrangement can give it some flexibility with regard to city land use regulations and zoning laws. Because they are not rental units, a storage condo facility can often be placed in areas zoned for light industrial use, not just commercial zoning areas. This land is usually much cheaper for the facility owner than it would be to purchase commercially-zoned land. In cities where parking spaces and vehicle storage are hard to come by, purchasing a storage condominium may be more economical than paying parking fees by the day or month.

Despite their high prices, customers are purchasing these storage condominiums because of the flexibility and convenience they give. Since the customer now owns the storage unit outright, they are free to make any improvements they wish to the interior of the space. Exterior improvements must usually be approved by the facility manager since they affect the look of the entire area. Some common interior improvements include epoxy floors, new walls to separate the space, and adding windows or doors. Condo owners with a higher construction budget may even install climate-control equipment for the storage unit. This usually entails adding insulation in the walls and roof, along with either an air conditioner or swamp cooler to keep the temperature down inside the condominium.

Businesses are also taking note of these new storage condominiums, purchasing them for use as off-site file rooms or vehicle and equipment storage. Due to city zoning laws, most storage facilities have provisions in the sale contract prohibiting the operation of a business from inside the condominium itself. They are quite useful in shifting some of the storage space burden out of a company’s primary office, which is probably being rented at a premium rate.

Being able to actually own the storage space gives a business more financing options. It is far easier to obtain a loan to cover the purchase of real property than it is to persuade a lender to pay for the company’s storage rental for the year. The cost can generally be classified as a capital investment instead of a recurring monthly expense on the company’s balance sheet and income statements. Storage condominiums are a natural fit for businesses that use a lot of large equipment or vehicles, such as construction or delivery companies.

Financing the purchase of a storage condominium may be more difficult for a private individual. Many banks have no experience with the concept of buying a permanent storage unit as a real estate investment. As a result, these loans are usually treated as 10-year personal loans rather than traditional 30-year real estate mortgages. There is also generally a large down payment of 20 percent required upon the signing of the loan.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Self Storage Options in Alabama

Posted by on Tuesday, January 5, 2010. Leave a Comment

Self storage is a good option for you if any aspect of your life has seemed to overflow into your living space, and you just don’t know where to put it all. Self storage options in Alabama can be a good solution even for those who own homes with lots of storage space inside, and storage in outbuildings like sheds or garages. No matter how much space you have, it seems, it’s all too easy to find yourself trying to dig out from underneath a mountain of “stuff.”

Renters and those who lease might have an even harder time finding a place for everything, depending on how much space is available to them. Small apartments don’t leave much room for storage, and often even those buildings that do have a storage space for renters only has a small space available to be shared among all the tenants. Self storage is a way to get the things out of your way without giving them up, or worrying about too-small storage in your building or other people having access to the same area.

Self storage options in Alabama can help you get control of your “stuff,” get organized, and maybe even help you further by giving you some breathing room at your home or business, and figuring out what you can part with to make storing your stuff even easier.

You might want self storage for things like business paperwork archives, unused furniture that you want to keep or can’t decide what to do with, boxes of stuff you need to sort to figure out what you’ll do with each item you can use self storage for any of these items, and more. Many self storage options in Alabama can be used for a month or for years; that depends on your and your needs. And the size of your self storage space is individual, too.

Self storage options in Alabama let you rent storage space. But the difference between self storage and the traditional types of storage people used to have to use to store items away from their own property is that you control your storage. You’re responsible for bringing your own items to the storage facility, putting them in your personal storage area, and locking the storage behind you.

In fact, most self storage companies don’t even provide a lock for your unit. You purchase your own padlock. While this might seem like an added expenses or hassle, remember-if you provide your own lock, no one else has a key. It’s an added measure of security for you and your things.

Also, no one else gets in your things. You don’t have to go through anyone to retrieve items from storage or put items in. And you can go almost any time, as long as the facility itself is open. You may not be able to go at certain times because the entire property is gated, for instance. If you need to be able to access your things at hours when you think they might not be open, examine your self storage options in Alabama and find a company with more flexible hours.

Anytime they’re open, you can get into your storage unit at will. The company doesn’t need to know what you access, or whether you remove or add anything. It’s a very private way to store your things.

When you’re looking at your self storage options in Alabama, you’ll want to compare prices and hours, of course. But don’t forget to compare security. It might be worth a little longer drive to another town to store your important items in a self storage facility with better security than the cheaper, closer facility.

Even the best lock can be cut off, and that could happen even if the storage was in your own backyard. But if the self storage facility has good security, it’s probably not something you’ll ever need to worry about.

Go to several facilities and really investigate your storage options. Make sure they look secure, and ask about things like fire alarms and a smoking policy-smoking should be forbidden on the property to prevent everyone’s stored items from going up in smoke. Ask about general alarm systems and security. Look at some facilities at night to see if they’re lit well enough to discourage would-be thieves. Don’t settle for a questionable company. You probably have dozens of self storage options in Alabama, so make a careful choice to best protect your stored items.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Mobile Self Storage

Posted by on Monday, January 4, 2010. Leave a Comment

Are you running out of storage space in your home or office? Do you have more “stuff” than you know what to do with? If you are like most people in this country, you probably have a ton of junk lying around because you simply have no more room for it. The solution, is staring you in the face right now and that solution is called self storage. Read on to find out more about the ins and outs of self storage.

Self storage is available to residential and business customers. It is generally very cost effective also because it allows a person or business to store all kinds of items in a secure location while being permitted constant and unfettered access to such belongings twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.

Facilities that provide storage space rentals are known in the industry as self storage providers. These facilities rent out varying shapes and sizes of self storage space that folks then use to store thins such as personal belongings, furniture, business equipment, etc. The list of items that can be stored in a self storage unit is pretty much endless as long as the items are legal and not considered dangerous by the self storage facility management. The single most important advantage of using self storage facilities is the freedom of choice you, as a client, are offered. For example, you can rent a small five foot by five foot area if that is all you need. In contrast, you can also rent a self storage unit that is large enough to hold one or more vehicles! As I stated earlier, the flexibility offered by these types of self storage companies is just amazing.

One of the more important features of any self storage provider is the security that is provided for your prized possessions. The explosion of self storage companies that has occurred over the last few years has brought many good self storage providers into the marketplace and many poor storage providers as well. It is your job as a consumer to properly vet any self storage provider you intend to use. Be sure to ask for a full list of services that are provided and the associated costs. Compare this information with other local self storage facilities in your area and choose the company that provides the best security even if it does cost a bit more.

If you do not have the time to go back and forth from your location to the storage facilities in your area, there is another alternative that many of them now offer. This alternative type of self storage is known as mobile self storage and it is a very effective and cost effective self storage solution for those who simply do not have the time to travel to and from a local self storage facility.

Mobile self storage is certainly a flexible and effective storage solution for both residential and commercial clients. The way mobile self storage works is pretty straightforward. Basically, the self storage company will send staff to your location along with self storage containers. Such storage containers are strong and weatherproof and can vary in size. You are then free to fill these storage containers with your belongings at your leisure. Once you’ve added all of your belongings to your self storage containers, you can either leave the containers at your property or you can have the self storage facility remove the containers from your property and transport them to their own storage facility where you will be give exclusive access to them via a gate code and keys.

Utilizing mobile self storage, in effect, cuts your work in half and ultimately reduces your costs. Instead of spending money on gas and wasting time traveling back and forth from a local self storage provider, you can simply step outside your door and store everything right in your driveway. The option to have your local self storage staff come and pick it up and move it to your self storage unit is a huge perk and incredibly time saving. If you require any type of self storage, I strongly recommend that you check out the mobile self storage options available from your local providers.

As you can see, self storage in general can be an amazingly convenient and cost effective service if you choose the right company. Mobile self storage, in my own experience, is just a fantastic invention. Activities such a moving between houses and cleaning garages have become substantially less complicated with the advent of mobile self storage offerings.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.