It turns out that storage is at an all-time premium. What we mean by this, is that more and more people are looking for external storage units to help them manage the contents of their homes. There are several reasons to secure exterior space and here are just a few.
Moving
Many people are moving from one state to another and do not yet have the space in the homes to store all their items. Maybe their homes are a bit smaller, or they are in a temporary space until their current home is available. Maybe they are not sure of their new location and want to rent prior to buying a home in a preferred neighborhood and then once in a new home they will move all their belongings into the new home. Thus, requiring a temporary storage unit.
Some homeowners are between jobs and do not yet know where their final move will be and need storage units to house their items before heading to their final destination. This is common among military families or executives who need to move for their jobs.
Downsizing
Downsizing is a form of moving but it involves disposing of items or storing items for future generations. Older generations are keeping special furniture for their children or grandchildren that has been passed down for heritage’s sake. Some items like photos or antique pieces do not fit the current downsized style of the house and storing these items in an outside facility makes it easy to access these items when you need them but to keep them out of the way when they are not regularly used.
Minimal Storage in Current Home
Many homes today may not have enough storage space for items that are seasonal like clothes and holiday decorations. These items are not used often and accessing them needs to be easy when the time comes. Using external storage facilities make it easy to store items not in use regularly and especially for homes that do not have enough storage.
Many homes today may only have space for immediate needs of the family like in season clothes, toys for kids, kitchen housewares and the like. Versus seasonal sporting equipment or clothes, valuables that are not worth getting rid of but are not in use right now, and old school projects or report cards that every parent keeps.
Divorces
Divorces are another reason many people are also using external storage units. Many people in the process of divorce may not have the funds available immediately to buy another home because generally one home needs to be sold in order for two people to buy two smaller homes. Therefore, some partners need to rent an apartment or small home prior to getting into their final location. Because of small apartments, there may not be space for larger items that can eventually fit in the final home.
Storage units are temporary but a great way to start the separation process including the separation of assets. We do encourage families to track the details of their assets to have a fair division.
Decluttering
Some homeowners are realizing that they want to keep some of their items, but they are now working from home and need space to create a home office or multiple home offices for multiple working people within the house.
Using storage spaces to manage these items or pieces of furniture until an investment into a larger home or until they are working in an office space again.
Business Storage
Some entrepreneurs or small business owners are using storage locations to manage their business details. Keeping packaging materials or files that cannot reside at home because there is not space for these items. Many entrepreneurs are working out of their homes which is affordable but extra inventory or files can reek havoc on relationships if a home becomes cluttered with files.
Keeping a storage unit is a great way to get organized prior to gaining a larger home or temporary storage that is not often used. Storage units also come in handy for generational storage item.
Know What You Own
We do recommend that you take a home inventory of the contents in your storage unit in order to recall what you do have in the unit. Our memories can play tricks on us, so using documentation can make it easy to recall the details.
For more information on storage units and where there is an abundance of units and who is using them more for specific reasons, we recommend you read this article and study conducted by Storage Cafe.
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