Starting a self storage business does take a considerable amount of initial investment. Financing is available from some national lenders. Many in the business suggest contacting St Petersburg, FL Self-Storage Division. St Petersburg offers programs for self-storage businesses. One program is called the mini-perm which offers two years of interest-only as you're getting started with the project and then three years of amortization that progresses as you meet certain debt coverage goals. Really this is one of the best loans available. Using a mini-perm loan is advisable because it may take you less than a year to finish construction on your project, but it could take several years to fill the units and finding a loan after your construction period would become extremely challenging. Self-storage facilities offer individual storage units for rent. They offer a secure, often climate-controlled, environment that ensures your belongings are kept in optimum conditions. Since this environment is often better than that in people's attics or garages, items that are stored run the gamut from personal keepsakes to prized vintage automobiles. St Petersburg Self storage businesses are unlike every other business in the fact that once they are set up and running they can be hands-off except for a few monthly visits for the owner himself. This does not mean that it should become a slum lord type of situation but this means that if one good person is hired to run and live on the property that is really all the hands on that is needed for the startup business of a self storage entity. There is a great argument about this and some say that a business owner should be hands on and always on the property in case anything breaks or something needs addressing, yet this is what the onsite manager is paid to do and paid well. Self storage is an extremely flexible alternative to traditional storage methods. You choose what items to store, and how much to store, what size unit to rent, and when to retrieve your items. Based on the volume of items you are going to store, you can choose to rent a closet-sized unit (mini self storage unit), or a unit that will accommodate an automobile, boat or just lots of 'stuff'. Also unlike traditional storage methods, self storage facilities allow you access to your storage space at any time during business hours. And, you'll find many self storage companies offer month-to-month rental agreements so you aren't "locked in" with a long contract. In most cases, you can just drive up to your self storage units St Petersburg, remove some or all of your items, add items, or just check on your progress in filling up the space. You can also upgrade or downgrade the size of your unit as needed, making overpaying for wasteful, unused space a thing of the past. The self-storage industry is strong and still growing. Although there is a considerable amount of competition within the industry it is possible to get your foot in the door and make a healthy return on your investments.