Articles by

Maria Gatea

Maria Gatea is a real estate and lifestyle editor for Yardi with a background in Journalism and Communication. After covering business and finance-related topics as a freelance writer for 15 years, she is now focusing on researching and writing about the real estate industry. You may contact Maria via email.

Don't Miss Out On The Latest Renting Tips And Tricks!

Straight in your inbox, twice a month.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.
Self storage facility

Self Storage in Texas Continues to Thrive: New Construction and Growing Demand

Key Takeaways: Texas accounted for 12% of all U.S. self storage construction in both 2023 and 2024 San Antonio led the state in 2024 deliveries…

self storage facility

Self Storage Rates Continue to Dip Year-Over-Year This February

National self storage street rates declined 1.5% year-over-year in February 2025, reflecting an acceleration from January’s milder decrease Southern and Southwestern cities, including Spring Valley,…

Corridor of self storage unit with red doors.

2025 Kicks Off With Cautious Optimism In The Self Storage Sector

The national average self storage street rate stands at $133 in January 2025, slightly dropping year-over-year but rebounding month-over-month Among the country’s largest 150 cities,…

Self storage facility

2024 Year in Focus: Key Trends that Defined the Self Storage Sector

From declining street rates to robust construction in emerging markets, 2024 showcased the self-storage sector’s remarkable adaptability. As street rates dropped throughout the year, operators…

Woman in front of self storage unit

How To Organize Your Self Storage Unit For Frequent Use

For many of us, especially those living in compact apartments or sharing space with a roommate, self storage is not just for storing rarely used…

Mountain range in Colorado

Colorado Self Storage: How It Can Help You Enjoy The Great Outdoors

From stunning mountain ranges and expansive national parks to rivers and lakes, Colorado is a veritable paradise for year-round adventures. Sports and outdoor activities are…

Street in North Fort Myers Florida

How Self Storage Can Help Locals In North Fort Myers, Florida

Situated on Florida’s gorgeous Golf Coast and famous for its laid-back, beach-centric lifestyle, it’s no wonder that North Fort Myers attracts newcomers from far and…

self storage facility

The Self Storage Sector Grapples with Over Two Years of Street Rate Declines

Self storage street rates continue to drop at a national level, with the decrease rate slowing down under 3% for the second month in a…

Room decorated for Halloween

How Self Storage Can Help You Manage Post-Halloween Cleanup

As the spooky season comes to an end, we’re left with plenty of nice memories but also with cluttered homes filled with decorations, costumes and…

Spokane WA aerial view

From Holding Hobby Gear to Business Files, Self Storage Can Help Spokane Residents Streamline Their Lives

As Spokane, WA, changes and evolves, residents increasingly turn to self-storage for flexible and practical solutions to their storage needs. The city has been experiencing…

skyline of Tulsa Oklahoma

Here’s How Self Storage Can Benefit People Living In Tulsa, OK

Community-oriented and culturally rich, Tulsa makes a great place to live for families and young people alike. With the cost of living about 23% lower…

self storage facility

The Self Storage Sector Continues to See Significant Price Cuts

The national self storage street rate registers the 22nd month of consecutive price drops by 3.5% year-over-year, to $136 in July 2024 Prices have decreased…

Couple moving in a new home

8 Fun and Smart Ways to Reuse Your Moving Boxes

You finally moved into your new, lovely home or apartment, and everything is great – except the huge pile of moving boxes you used to…

The interior of a self storage facility

Self Storage Street Rates Continue Their Decline In Most Major Cities

National self storage street rates dropped by 3.5% year-over-year in June 2024, with an average unit renting for $141 85% of the country’s 150 largest…

The interior of a self storage facility

Emerging Self Storage Hot Spots: New England Joins the West and Midwest in Offering the Greatest Growth Opportunities

New England, western and midwestern metro areas can most benefit from the addition of new self storage space due to a combination of low inventories…

self storage unit organization

Self Storage Faces Widespread Rate Drops in Major Cities, Yet Construction Activity Remains Steady

This April marked the nineteenth straight month of price adjustments, with national self storage street rates falling by 3.6% compared to last year. Among the…

Self storage facility

Nearly a Fifth of Americans Rent Self Storage, with Millennials in the Lead

Self-storage continues to raise a lot of interest, with new demand sources complementing the traditional needs associated with the four Ds. Amid working from home…

Interior of a small apartment

How Self Storage Can Help Renters Maximize Apartment Space

Living in an apartment offers numerous advantages, from convenient urban locations to hassle-free maintenance. However, one common challenge that apartment renters face is limited storage…

View of San Francisco

Top Items Worth Keeping In Self Storage In San Francisco

In San Francisco’s dynamic lifestyle, where space is precious and hobbies flourish, storage units have become more than just practical solutions—they’re essential for maximizing living…

Self storage monthly report December 2023

Self Storage Rates Continue Negative Growth Trend, with Arizona’s Chandler and Tempe Seeing Double-Digit Drops

National self storage rates experienced a 4.3% decrease this past February Chandler and Tempe, in Arizona, saw double-digit drops in self storage street rates Brownsville,…

self storage unit organization

How To Organize Your Self Storage Unit For Optimal Use

Renting self storage is a smart way of optimizing your space at home — but your storage unit also needs optimizing. Most people usually pay…

A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Self Storage in Seattle

Living in Seattle comes with some great perks, including access to one of the country’s most dynamic job markets, diverse communities, fantastic coffee culture, great…

self storage facility

Self Storage Rates Dip in 90% of the Nation’s Biggest Cities

National self storage street rates dropped by 3% year-over-year in January 2024 About 90% of the country’s top 150 cities experienced self storage street rate…

Salt Lake city skyline

Five Ways That Self Storage Can Help Parents Living in Salt Lake City

Parenting has many joys, but the messes children often create in our homes are not one of them. The myriad of big and small items…

self storage facility

Self Storage Market Experiences Continued Cool Down, with Double-Digit Drops in 6% of the Nation’s Largest Cities

National self storage rates dropped by 3.2% year-over-year in December Self storage street rates decreased in 79% of the country’s largest 150 cities Hialeah, FL,…

Here’s How to Store Your Christmas Decorations so That You Can Enjoy Them Year After Year

The holiday season brings joy and cheer, but once the festivities wind down, it’s time to take everything down — and learning how to store…

Home organizing mesh containers on bed

Five Great Home Organizers to Follow for Genius Storage Tips

In a world filled with possessions and clutter, the art of efficient storage is nothing short of a superpower. We all have experienced the all-too-common…

Here’s Where, and How, Newlyweds Can Thrive Financially

Couples have a financial advantage over their single counterparts. Dual incomes and shared expenses are, indeed, great extra perks of getting married. Where the couples…

self storage facility interior

The Dos and Don’ts of Storing Your Belongings in Self Storage

Self storage offers a versatile, practical solution for individuals and businesses seeking extra space or a temporary home for their belongings. Whether you are moving,…

The Midwest and South Are Home to Clusters of Minimalism-Oriented Cities but Salt Lake City Is the Nation’s Minimalist Heaven

Salt Lake City is the best US city for minimalists, followed by Arlington, VA, and St. Paul, MN. Most cities that provide the right mix…