SSSE’s core values are Fun, Integrity, Drive, and Others-First. As part of our commitment to Others-First, we strive to educate our investors, partners, and the general public about self storage. The Roman philosopher Seneca once said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”. This Frequently Asked Questions page is to serve as preparation for anyone interested in learning more about self storage and SSSE. The opportunities come when you sign up for SSSE’s investors list or buyers list by clicking the links in our menu bar. We hope to be lucky enough to work together.
If there are any questions that you have that are not answered below, please contact info@ssse.com
Where are self storage cap rates in 2026?
The 2026 valuation environment is more rational than the pandemic peak.
The 2026 Self Storage Almanac says Class-A institutional-quality assets in major markets are typically trading in the 5.0 percent to 5.75 percent cap-rate range. Secondary markets generally add a 75- to 100-basis-point premium, and tertiary markets add another 100 to 150 basis points. For owners, that means location, quality, rent growth, occupancy, and supply risk all influence exit value. For investors, it means a higher cap rate is not automatically a better deal. Sometimes it is compensation for weaker location, weaker management, or supply pressure. In our experience, we have found 7% cap rates to be the middle of the road in 2026. Buyers are interested in existing financials and less on pro forma. Banks are relying more on debt service coverage ratios or yield. There are still instances where significant value add allows buyers and banks to come in at lower cap rates, but conservative purchasing is still prevalent.
Is new RV and boat storage supply slowing?
The RV and boat storage supply pipeline is cooling after a busy development cycle.
After record levels of new development from 2022 to 2024, dedicated RV and boat storage supply delivered in the trailing 12 months fell to 3.8 percent of inventory in September 2025, down from 5.3 percent a year earlier. That matters because slower new supply may support rent growth in markets where demand remains strong. But the opportunity is still local. If a submarket already added too much parking inventory, rent growth can remain weak even if national construction is slowing.