Six questions to ask your self storage manager before moving in

Are you contemplating renting a storage unit?  If you are after something a wee bit more secure than this old mattress storage unit seen this morning in the news you will probably first think about three key items, location, cost and security.  

Even if you have rented self storage before, it is always a good idea when renting to look around, try something new and ask a few questions of the self storage manager.  

Is a lease required, or is my rent month-to-month?

All self-storage facilities will require you to sign a month to month lease, however, some facilities will offer a discount if you pay up front for leases in six or twelve monthly periods.

Does your self storage facility provide 24hr access?

Most storage facilities will have regular access hours, very few will have 24hr access, however for businesses and people needing 24hr access you may be able to pay an extra fee to allow you freedom in your movements.

Does your storage facility have individually alarmed units?

A properly secure self storage facility will have individually alarmed units, this means your unit is always alarmed unless you have used your pin code or swipe card on entry, immediately alerting staff of any irregular movement if you are not on the premises.  This along with CCTV and good lighting is one of my priorities when renting a storage unit as it provides me with peace of mind that everything is properly protected.

How good is the lighting?

We all know that feeling of rummaging around in the dark looking for things, always check for good lighting in your storage facility for well lit corridors and units to make moving items in and out (and being able to find them when needed) easy.

Can I move in online?

Modern storage facilities will have the ability for you to move in and pay online.  Be wary of those facilities who don't have this ability or aren't displaying prices it usually means they are wanting you to pick up that phone to sell you a unit in a sub-standard facility at a higher market price.

What additional facilities and services do you have available?

When you rent a house you want to feel at home, it should be the same at a self storage facility.  Ask about access to wifi, whether there is space to sit down and do some work and have a coffee (and access to a clean bathroom) in between sales appointments and what else your potential facility may offer.

In housing limbo? Six Tips to help you cope.

With the property market at an all time high, more and more of us are finding ourselves in a temporary state of homelessness. 

And while sharing a friends place is great for a short time, what happens when your friendship is being slightly stretched by your over enthusiastic children not having enough space to play, or your dog who loves napping on you couch at home but isn't welcome on your friends designer furniture?  

The problem has already been identified, Auckland rentals are hard to get, people are lining up for overpriced inner city rentals (the reality of renting in Auckland) buyers are paying high prices in an over-inflated market and demanding immediate move in's and everyone who can't get a rental is left with their stuff in jam-packed storage units looking desperately for somewhere to lay their heads.

So what is the solution when you and your family are left with  nowhere to go?

Social Media

This is where Social Media becomes your best friend.  Post endlessly on Facebook and ask your friends to share the post, tweet, post on LinkedIn (good property managers use it as a top tool.  Post photos on instagram of where you would love to be.  Chances are someone will know someone and you will find something soon.

If you’re still stuck, try AirBnb, Holiday Houses, book-a-bach, they may be expensive short term solutions but they will still be infinitely cheaper than a hotel.   

Where do you put your stuff?

If you’ve always admired the minimalist look, now’s the time to embrace it! It is time to de-clutter.  Sell, give away or bin anything you do not need and rent a clean, dry, secure storage unit for the rest.  

What do you actually need?

Remember that you are now a temporary transient resident and you only have room for what you can carry and the necessities you need to ensure you don't overstep a hosts welcome.  Keep a supply of bedding, towels and toiletries with you.  This will mean you are self-sufficient and you still have a bit of your own home with you.  When it comes to your wardrobe only keep the bare essentials and learn how to layer for effect.  

Do you offer to pay friends when you are staying?

Tackle this subject before moving in with a friend or family.  Offer to pay rent or a portion of the bills, its gives everyone peace of mind that you aren't there just for a free ride, especially if your stay turns out to be longer than you anticipated. 

You may instead be asked to contribute in other ways such as child-care, cooking meals or cleaning to play your part.

How should you cope with the everyday routines?

This is a great opportunity to discover new restaurants and galleries in the city you may not know, save some money and be a tourist in your own city.

But be considerate and respect your hosts routines, fit in with their life, be very self aware and if you are not sure of something be sure to ask, don't assume anything.  

When do we move on?

Hopefully that perfect rental or new house will come around as fast as you are hoping, but if not always keep in mind that although your host will always be telling you to make yourself at home if the stay turns out to be longer than anticipated give them a break and pop away for the weekend or check into a hotel for a couple of nights to give them some space in their home.  

And as for the rest ... the perfect home will come along when you least expect!

Self Storage for Real Estate Agents

Never has a market been more competitive for real estate agents.  Houses are selling in Auckland like hot cakes at record prices but it would seem to win the right to sell, commissions are being dropped, incentives are being offered and you need a convincing package for your vendor to sign an exclusive.

Presentation, how can you present your offices at their best?

The whole deal is what it is all about, well kept presentation files, slick signage and access to home stagers or re-usable home decor to makeover a house at short notice for showings and open homes.  All of this can take up large amounts of space which unfortunately the majority of Auckland real estate offices don't have the space for.

Keeping your files safe and secure

Most real estate offices have boxes and boxes of files requiring safe, secure storage.   So with a lack of space where do real estate agents store? Usually in a reputable self storage facility. The costs are minimal, files are safe and you can still achieve a well organised space with easily accessible filing cabinets and alphabetised document boxes giving you the ability to keep your office clean and professional.  

Protect your investment, get rid of the clutter

Clutter is often the number one first impression guaranteed to turn potential clients off.  Keep all your signs, banners, brochures and promotional goodies in another part of your storage unit.  Signage takes up a huge amount of space and is easily damaged.  When you think of the cost involved in every open home with around 20-30 directional signs, lock boxes, brochures, banners and associated hardware it pays to keep as much as you can re-usable, clean and tidy.  

The extra edge

Often clients are looking for options to give them that extra edge.  Real Estate agents who can offer extra support to their clients by providing a safe secure storage unit to hold extra clutter while open homes are on can often mean the difference between a standard agent and one who is known for going the extra mile.  The additional commission when an uncluttered house sells for an inflated price more than pays for the space!

A real estate agent using self storage can also offer support to their clients looking to purchase a new home as well.  For many clients, during the transition period they will need to store their stuff and in this situation a real estate agent can refer a storage unit to the seller during that period, taking your estate service to the next level.  Having a great relationship with a self storage facility who offer cash back to realtors who bring business to them, can take the hassle out of real-estate work.  

Five tips for your next road trip

Just when it was seeming like the never ending winter, I peered out the window this morning and saw the first bloom of my spring bulbs out.  That means summer is on the way and it will soon be the perfect opportunity for a road trip.

Some of the most precious memories I have are of new sights, discovering hidden gems and endless laughs in the car while on trips taken on whim.  To make your road trip even better than you thought possible use these tips to help you on you way.

Make a plan ... but keep it flexible

Plan where you are going to end up at the end of each day but be ready to stop along the way, poke into places that aren't on the tourist map and spend longer in places that take your fancy.  A plan can be great, but a rigid one doesn't allow for any freedoms.

Pack to a minimum, it gives you room to collect

We always take so much more than what we need anyway, so this time, try something different, only take half of what you think you will need and you will have more room to bring back the discoveries in tiny antique shops and crafts from the local markets that you otherwise may not have had room for.  You may need to hire a storage unit when you get back, but those are the breaks!

Do pack the 'just in case' bottle of wine

For that unexpected sunset on the little beach you stayed too long at or the mountain range that would be perfect if only you had remembered the picnic, be good scout and be prepared.

Take loads of pictures

One of my favourite road trip albums is not from where we stopped but a long trip in the car on the back roads of Sri Lanka where to alleviate the boredom I began taking photos to amuse myself and the kids (the driver thought I was mad) of the oncoming trucks and cars of Sri Lanka that always swerved at the last minute.  Not only did it keep the kids and I amused but the album created lasting memories.

On-board Entertainment

If you have packed really light, you may need to let your inner child loose in the car and make some games up.  If not have pre-loaded music playlists ready, books, magnetic board games and create trip trivia games with kids in the car.

Above all, have fun, explore new places and try new things.

Downsizing the home, lessons learned to help you move on

Practicalities and emotions don't always go happily hand in hand.  You know you have to downsize and move to a smaller space and take less possessions with you, but where do you start with what to keep, what to sell and what to throw or give away?

Often it is not your possessions your are downsizing but those of a loved one - an ageing parent or dealing with a deceased estate.  

Two women in the US, Janet Hulstrand and Linda Hetzer have gone so far as to write one of the most comprehensive and practical guides,on this after helping their fathers move out of the houses they had lived in for several decades to apartments.  The blog has been so successful and the task was so overwhelming they have gone on to write a book, Moving On: A Practical Guide to Downsizing the Family Home.

Questions to ask when considering a move

• Do we need this space anymore?
• Are we really using all of these things?
• Has the joy gone from having such a large space?
• Are we ready to let go?

Lessons learned by Janet and Linda

• Throwing things away (other than obvious trash, such as spoiled food in the refrigerator and burned-out light bulbs) should not be your first step. The first step is to sort, and as you’re sorting, consult with each other about what to do with it all.
• If you will be holding an estate sale or auction at your house, ask a couple of professionals to come in and evaluate the estate before you start throwing items out or hauling them away. Part of their professional expertise is in knowing what kinds of “worthless” items can actually be worth a little, or a lot. It is surprising, to say the least, to learn what kinds of items can actually be big sellers at estate sales.
• Money, important papers, and other treasures are often found hidden within stacks of papers, inside seemingly “empty” envelopes, in the pages of books, in the pockets of clothing, and in other unlikely spots.
• Many things tossed willy-nilly into the Dumpster—from old Christmas cards and maps to sewing machine manuals and sales receipts—could be of interest to your local historical society.

If you are really not sure if you are ready to let go, a good option can be to rent a storage unit while you make decisions, remove yourself emotionally and don't have regrets.  

Airbnb, bookabach, Holiday Houses, getting your place ready to rent

With thousands of bach owners caught up in a property investor crackdown (Stuff.co.nz), it is a great time to think about how best to make more money out of your bach, crib or holiday home to cover those additional taxes so you don't lose out.  Great places to start advertising if you are new to the game are Airbnb, bookabach and holiday houses.

Staging Your Living Space for Holiday Rentals

To make the most out of your rental, stage it just like your would for an open home and create a space that is attractive to renters, easy to clean and a space that they would be likely to recommend to other holiday goers.  

Photographing the space

• First do a huge spring clean and schedule a big clean on a six monthly basis, be aware that everything shows up on photos, especially when taking shots on a sunny day.
• De-clutter, remove all personal items and anything that that may clutter the shot such as paperwork and excess items in kitchens and bathrooms.
• Then stage your furniture to make the best possible use of the space and to make the rooms look as large and inviting as possible.  If you are unsure, enlist the help of a professional or a friend or family member whose house you admire.
• When taking the shots, be very aware of lighting,the time of day and the position of the shot.  Avoid photos with direct sunlight behind images and play around with camera angles to properly show off the dimensions of the room.
• Take outside shots and just like the inside, clean and tidy first and make the areas look attractive to potential renters.  Include photographs of key amenities such as pools, BBQ areas and outside showers.
• Remember, the more photos the better, renters want to see the space they are going to be paying you top dollar for and the more photos you have the more they will trust you as a landlord.

Your first holiday guest is about to turn up - now what?

• Staging - do your photographs reflect your property.  You staged for your photos, now stage for your guest.
• Make sure the areas are spotlessly clean, the majority of guests will leave online reviews and you want to ensure your rental is as clean as promised.
• Does the space feel like it is theirs for the time they are there, or did you go and put everything back after staging for the photos and they are walking into someones space?  If the latter is the case, hire a STORAGE UNIT or have a locked garage set aside to store all personal and unnecessary items while your property is up for rental. Doing this also minimises damage.
• Remember the basics - clean sheets, properly made beds, fresh towels, kitchen basics and a manual of how things work, recommended eateries and cool things to do in the area.

Follow these basics and the money will flow, leaving you more time to holiday yourself!

Six things you should know before renting a self storage unit

Renting space for your property, whether it be personal or business can be a big decision. When looking for and renting extra space to store, here a a few tips to get the best out of a storage experience.

Not all storage facilities are the same

Just like children, no two facilities are the same, even within the same company.  Check for security measures (including pin-access, individual unit alarm control, gates, CCTV and lighting), customer service, cleanliness, help to move and packing materials.  Having a checklist of what your top priorities in a storage facility can really help you to make your final decision.

Theft - what will your storage facilities do to avoid this?

Security gates, padlocks and gate access don't always stop an opportune burglar.    To avoid this always rent off facilities that have ;

• individually alarmed storage units - to deactivate the alarm, the customer must have the pin code, if un-authorised access occurs the alarm with sound with an immediate identification of which unit has been accessed
• CCTV - there will be security cameras covering the whole facility inside and out
• for your own piece of mind use a disc lock which have no ability to be cut by bolt cutters

Lastly ask a lot of questions about how the facility maintains their commitment to security.  If they can't or don't want to answer, go elsewhere.

Beware of "MOVE-IN DISCOUNTS"

Many storage companies offer sporadic and well timed move-in discounts or 'a months rent free', to get you to move in at a low rate only to raise the rent very soon afterwards (which will be in the fine print of your contract).  Before you rent, ask the manager how often your rent will be raised and how long they can guarantee your rent will not change.  If you are happy with their answers, ask for the guarantees in writing.  If they are not willing to do this, go elsewhere.

Plan Carefully

We see it time and time again in the industry, people rent far more space than they actually need.  Use the planning calculators on websites when moving, ask for advice from the store manager and if you find yourself moved in with excess space, don't be afraid to request a smaller unit at a smaller price!  

• Packing the unit properly  will also save you valuable space, again follow a checklist to save you money and space

Moving Day

If you do not have easy access to a large trailer or truck you will probably have to rent one. Some storage facilities will offer a free trailer to their customers (for a limited time period), some will offer a trailer or truck at a cost - do try and negotiate the fee, or the best storage facilities will offer a free truck and driver.  The cost of moving can often be more than the first few months rent on your unit, so it is worth checking out which facilities offer these services.

Insurance

Insurance is the responsibility of the customer.  Storage facilities are not insured for the contents of customers units, because it is a rented space, much like a house rental, you will need to insure the goods you intend to store.  Your house and contents cover will generally not cover you for goods in storage and it is often cheaper to purchase insurance direct from your storage facility.  Your store manager will have full details on this.

And then, enjoy the freedom of all your space you have created!