The construction industry is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of the curve is essential to success. When it comes to finding land to build a self-storage building in 2023, there is no exception.

The good news is that there are efficient and effective ways to find land for your self-storage building in 2023, and they are easily accessible.

Taking The Right Steps

Start With Your Local Council:

One of the first steps you can take in finding a building site for your self-storage facility should be to contact your local city council and arrange a meeting with the planning officer or department.

This is important so that you can ensure that there are no zoning regulations, environmental restrictions, or other issues that may affect the project.

Your local city council will be able to provide guidance regarding any applicable fees and costs associated with acquiring the land.

Zoning Requirements

When searching for land to build a self-storage facility, it’s important to be aware of local zoning requirements. Different regions have very specific regulations that must be adhered to in order for a construction project to go forward.

Make sure you research and understand the rules regarding location, setbacks, height restrictions, parking requirements, and other applicable laws before proceeding with your purchase or lease of any land.

It’s also wise to consult with an experienced real estate attorney who can provide legal advice and help ensure that all zoning regulations are met prior to finalizing any contracts.

Hire a Professional Land Agent

If you’re looking to find the ideal piece of land, then you should consider hiring a professional land agent. These professionals have a wealth of knowledge and the required expertise to help you locate the perfect piece of land specifically for self-storage development.

A professional land agent will take the time to understand your requirements, budget, and other essential factors that will aid in your search for the perfect self-storage construction site. These agents also have access to land listings that may not be available to the public, providing you with more options.

A land agent can be valuable when it comes to negotiating with the seller's agent. They are familiar with local market conditions and can provide advice on how best to structure a deal that is suitable for both parties.

While helping with negotiation, they can also help you understand the legal implications of any agreement, as well as provide guidance on the most beneficial tax relief options available.

Utilize Online Land Listing Services

Thanks to the advancement of technology, finding land for your self-storage project site in 2023 is easier than ever before. There are many online land listing services available that can significantly expedite your search.

You can easily filter your search to include specific criteria such as location, price range, land size, and that it is zoned for self-storage. There are countless websites dedicated entirely to helping you find properties that fit your needs and land cost requirements.

Sites like Zillow and Trulia are great resources that can help you find the perfect property. These sites utilize software that can provide detailed information about each listing, such as photos, prices, and insight into past sales in that area.

Researching and Strategizing Off Online Maps

Using online maps is a great way to find land for your self-storage facility in 2023. You can easily research and strategize off of satellite imagery, aerial photography, topographical maps, and other mapping services that are available on the web.

This can be immensely helpful in locating potential sites as well as identifying potential zoning restrictions or environmental issues that could affect the project, and making sure that the property will accommodate your site layout. Using local maps, you can measure the changes in land over recent years, and create a comprehensive view of the area in the future.

By doing this, a well-developed plan for the success of your self-storage site can be developed.

Network with Relevant Industry Professionals

One of the most effective ways to find a building site for your self-storage business is to reach out to industry professionals in your area.

Contractors, architects, real estate agents, and other local professionals are often well-informed on the local real estate market and can provide valuable insight into potential land opportunities for new self-storage facility sites.

You can network through face-to-face meetings at construction sites or offices, attend conferences and seminars, join local trade unions or industry associations, or find prospective contacts through online forums. Also, you can reach out to your personal network of friends and family who may have connections in the construction industry.

Building relationships with these individuals and staying in touch with them is an effective way to stay up to date on any new listings or potential self-storage project sites that may be available. Networking with these individuals can be beneficial as they may provide you with insider information on potential pieces of land and other related services that can save you time and money.

Working With a Civil Engineer

When searching for land to build on, it is important to consider working with a civil engineer. They are experienced professionals who can provide valuable insight into the construction process and help identify areas suitable for building a self-storage facility.

Civil engineers are knowledgeable in many aspects of land development, such as site surveying, geotechnical engineering, soil analysis, environmental impact assessments, and more.

Working with a civil engineer can help ensure that you have the necessary information to make the best possible decision when selecting the perfect site for your storage building.

Attend Self-Storage Trade Shows

Self-storage trade shows are ideal for meeting industry experts, checking out the latest tools and equipment, and networking with fellow construction professionals. They’re also a great way to meet investors who may own potential plots of land for your self-storage building site.

Certain self-storage trade shows feature exhibitors who specifically deal with land and real estate. Attending these events will give you access to real estate developers, landowners, and brokers, providing you with a wide range of land options.

Trade shows are a great opportunity to meet owners and developers of existing facilities, as well as network with fellow industry professionals such as those who can provide a self-storage feasibility study.

Two of our favorite self-storage trade shows are the Self-Storage Association (SSA) and Inside Self-Storage (ISS).

Market Insights

It’s essential to keep up-to-date on the self-storage industry trends when looking for land to build on for self-storage construction sites. Analyzing the market will give you a better understanding of how changes in population, employment, and infrastructure can affect land prices and availability.

Being aware of any potential economic downturns or upturns in the area can help you make more informed decisions when it comes to making your purchase.

Always stay abreast of local news related to housing developments in order to gain insight into which areas are seeing a surge in interest or activity which will ultimately affect demand for your self-storage facility.

This type of research can help guide your decision-making process when looking for land for your self-storage building site in 2023.

Visit Other Self Storage Facilities

Another great way to find a building site for your storage business is by visiting existing self-storage facilities in your area. You can ask the management team to provide insight into their experience in finding and acquiring land for their facility.

This will provide you with valuable information regarding the application process, building regulations, zoning laws, land costs, operating expenses, and other important details that may be specific to your region.

You can get a feel for the local market by observing parking spaces, how many units facilities have, and how much land you need. Understanding these aspects and comparing them to your project budget will inform how much rentable space you will have which will affect cash flow and the value of your self-storage business.

Not only will this give you an idea of the competition but it may also provide you with valuable insight into where the business is headed in the future. This can be helpful when it comes to determining the best location for your self-storage facility.

Check for Tax Foreclosures

You should also consider researching tax foreclosures in your area as they can provide access to land at an affordable price.

It’s important to keep in mind that, while tax foreclosures come with a lower price tag than other forms of land, they may also come with additional complications.

In most cases, banks or government entities are selling the land and can require more stringent inspections as well as more complicated paperwork. You will need to research every aspect of the tax foreclosure process before making a purchase.

This is a great option for those with a limited budget who still want to invest in a storage building property. Just make sure to do your due diligence on possible locations and research the area before making any commitments.

Partner with Other Builders

One great way to find land for your self-storage units in 2023 is to partner up with other builders. By partnering up with a contractor, developer, or real estate agent, you can gain access to resources that would be otherwise difficult to find.

Working together can provide an opportunity to tap into their relationships, resources, and contacts in order to help you find the right plot of land.

Together, you can work on determining which pieces of land fit your needs and budget requirements while also getting access to potential off-market listings.

Research Land Banks

Another option for finding land for your self-storage unit business is to research local land banks. These organizations purchase foreclosed properties from lenders in order to make them available for sale or lease.

They often make these properties available at a bargain price, making it easier to secure land for your project without breaking the bank.

On top of getting better deals, some of these organizations will also provide grants and other forms of financial assistance that can be used towards acquiring these plots of land.

It’s important to do your research and contact them directly to find out more information regarding what they’re offering.

Research Government Auctions

Government auctions can be a great way to find land for your self-storage facility. These auctions are often held by state and local governments when they need to get rid of surplus land or property.

By attending these auctions, you’ll have access to a wide range of land and be able to secure a great deal. You may be able to find a piece of land that is perfect for your project at an excellent price.

It’s important to note, however, that some government auctions require registration prior to bidding so make sure you read the terms and conditions before attending an auction.

Utilize Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have become invaluable tools for finding potential pieces of land for your self-storage projects.

Many landowners post their available land listings on these platforms, giving you the opportunity to take advantage of potential deals.

Following real estate agencies and developers on social media you may get early access to new listings before they appear on listing sites.

By participating in industry-specific groups or pages you can network with other construction professionals who may have valuable information regarding available land in your area.

Utilizing social media gives you the chance to connect with fellow construction professionals who may have information regarding hidden gems in terms of land availability.

Consider Exploring Undeveloped Properties

Exploring areas that are still undeveloped and have yet to be listed is another effective way to find potential land for self-storage units. The tricky part is identifying these types of properties before they’re listed anywhere.

This is where your networking skills come into play. Get in touch with zoning officials, local real estate brokers, and contractors who work on land clearing. These individuals will most likely know of land that’s being put up for sale or lease, even before it hits the market.

Advertise Your Search

Putting the word out that you’re in search of land for your self-storage buildings is another effective way to discover potential offers. Place an ad in your local newspaper, social media sites, or trade publications.

This approach could offer significant exposure to sellers and landowners potentially looking to sell their plots of land.

It’s important to make sure you market yourself effectively by describing the property that you need, the land use, and the type of building project you plan on developing.

This will help attract the right types of offers for your needs.

Now Go Out There and Build Your Self-Storage Facility

Finding the right piece of land for your self-storage facility in 2023 is not a walk in the park, but it doesn’t have to be a herculean task. The key is to be proactive, patient, and strategic.

Take advantage of the resources available to you and use inventive methods to find the ideal land for your self-storage facility.

With the right strategy, you can bring your idea to fruition and have your dream storage building ready for use in no time.

When you have your site selected, contact our team to help you start putting together the construction plans and make sure you have everything covered for your new self-storage facility.