Security Self Storage Ltd. Blog

Self Storage for College Students: Solutions for Subletting

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:53:47 -0400

As we enter warmer months, college students begin to wrap up another school year and prepare for the summer off. Many students living off-campus will stay at their residence throughout the summer to enroll in classes or participate in other academic programs; others may be heading home for a job or internship, or studying abroad.

If you plan to head home, out of state or across seas, you’ll likely try to find someone to sublet your room to help manage costs. It can be both costly and time-consuming to move all of your belongings back home, just to move them back you return. Simplify the subletting process, and feel at ease that your belongings are safe by storing your items at a local self-storage facility.

Protect Your Valuables

Finding someone to sublease your room can be a challenge in itself. Avoid the worry of leaving valuable items at your house or apartment, and transfer them to a storage facility. Items to consider storing include:

Televisions
Computers
Gaming systems
Sports equipment
Furniture
Bikes
Vehicles

In addition, choose a facility that offers climate-controlled units, which will help to protect your furniture, clothing and expensive electronics from damage due to humidity and temperature changes.

Amenities to Ease the Process

When you’re a college student, time- and money-saving solutions are key in any situation. Many storage facilities will offer specific features and services that help to simplify the moving and storing processes, and save you valuable time and money.

Inquire about the following important amenities:

Access to a moving truck
Convenient hours
Space evaluations and storage consulting
Varying unit sizes
On-site packing supplies
Nearby location to residence/school

In addition, many facilities will offer student discounts, making self storage an extremely affordable solution for college students.

Self Storage for Long-Term Storage

It’s not uncommon for college housing to have limited storage space. When you return to school, consider making self storage part of the year-round routine for your house or apartment.

Storage units are extremely useful for reducing clutter and saving space in often cramped apartments or houses. Keep extra furniture, seasonal clothing and other items used infrequently to free up space. Depending on what you have to store, facilities usually have a range of unit sizes, so you only pay for what you need.

Related posts:

Are you a Cleveland-area college student? Contact Security Self Storage for information on how to you can utilize self storage units year-round at any of our five locations.

Don’t miss a post! Subscribe to the Security Self Storage blog by email or RSS.

Become a fan of Security Self Storage on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Photo credit: GabeB

Self Storage for Cleveland Real Estate Agents

Fri, 18 May 2012 00:10:00 -0400

As the temperature in Northeast Ohio warms up and the landscape begins to bloom, many homeowners will consider the spring and summer months the ideal time to put their homes on the market. In fact, according to The Plain Dealer, sales of existing homes in Northeast Ohio were up close to 6 percent in March, and are expected to stay strong throughout 2012.

For real estate agents capitalizing on the home buying season, it’s important to always be prepared for showings and open houses. By incorporating self storage into the staging process, and as part of your overall business plan, you can stay organized and offer clients the tools they need to properly position their homes for sale.

Reducing Clutter With Storage

As an agent, you want the properties you represent to sell quickly and at the highest price possible. In most cases, the condition of the existing home, including organization, positioning of furniture and cleanliness, is a top contributor to a buyer’s perception.

Encourage your customers to eliminate clutter and remove bulky items to help rooms appear larger and more inviting to potential buyers. Store these items in a self storage unit while not in use, which will give sellers an alternative to throwing valuable items away, with the convenience of anytime access to their belongings.

In addition, the variety of storage unit sizes, from a closet-sized unit to a large, garage-sized unit, will give your clients the flexibility to select a unit that meets their needs and budget.

Adding Personality With Staging

A few finishing touches can sometimes make all the difference in closing a sale. Have staging supplies handy for when a home needs spruced up. These items might include:

Bright throw pillows
Candles
Artificial flower arrangements
Vases
Frames and pictures
Lawn and garden decorations

Keep staging supplies safe and organized offsite in a self storage unit in lieu of taking up space in your home or office between listings. Self storage will provide the space and flexibility you need, and your clients will appreciate the added value you bring.

“Housekeeping” Details

Signs, flyers, marketing supplies and client paperwork can pile up fast depending on your current number of listings. Like staging supplies, these materials can quickly take up unnecessary space in your home or office.

Organize these materials in your self storage unit using a system that works for you. By storing marketing materials and paperwork along with your staging supplies, you’ll have easy access to everything you need for your next listing, open house or sale. The added benefit of climate-control will give you piece of mind that your materials will not yellow or break down from moisture or temperature fluctuations.

Convenience for Busy Schedules

Since real estate agents tend to have busy schedules and travel between homes and around the city or state, self storage provides the ability to store frequently used items in a central location. By choosing a storage facility close to your home or office, with convenient access hours, you will have optimum flexibility for those last-minute showings, open houses and meetings.

Take advantage of the convenience, flexibility and value-added features of self storage to help make your real estate business successful, and the selling process positive for your customers.

Image source: Diana Parkhouse

Are you a Cleveland-area real estate agent? Contact Security Self Storage for information on how to make self storage part of your selling strategy.

Don’t miss a post! Subscribe to the Security Self Storage blog by email or RSS.

Become a fan of Security Self Storage on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Moving? How to Avoid Common Packing Mistakes

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:33:33 -0400

Spring is just around the corner, which means that peak moving season is also on its way in. Many people take advantage of the warmer seasons to list and buy properties because of the nice weather and extended daylight hours to pack up and move to their new locations.

If you’re planning a move in the future, you want the whole process to go as smoothly as possible. Take note of these common packing mistakes to avoid any mishaps, and set the tone for a less stressful experience.

Heavy Boxes

When moving, people often have the mentality that less overall boxes means less to move. Rarely, though, do they consider the total weight of the box after packing its contents. Keep yourself and others safe by limiting the weight of each box to ensure it is manageable; 40-50 pounds is a good target weight.

Make it a habit to check the weight of boxes with a simple lift test before taping it up. If you have difficulty picking it up or moving it around, remove some of the items to balance it out.

Packing Materials

Not all packing materials will work for every box. You’ll want to choose a few different packing materials depending on the contents of your boxes. For example, use bubble wrap to protect larger, breakable items, and newspaper or packing paper to wrap fragile, smaller pieces. In addition, each item should be wrapped separately to prevent scratches.

Proper Labeling

It is common for those moving to label boxes for easy identification later. But, one mistake to avoid is labeling your boxes with just the name of the room. While this is helpful to group boxes together when unloading, it doesn’t tell you what’s in the box. Since you likely will not unpack everything right away, it is helpful to know the contents of the box in the event you need to retrieve an item when you first move in.

Make sure to label your boxes with the name of the room they go in, as well as some of the major items contained in each box. This way, you’ll avoid having to open up all of your packed, organized boxes just to find your favorite coffee mug.

Store Excess Items

While it may seem easier to just pack up everything in your current residence, sometimes it can be helpful to discard of some items, and keep others in storage. Start planning for your move. Start planning for your move a couple months before, and think about making a list of items you plan on moving, items you wish to keep in a self-storage unit, and items you want to get rid of. For example, seasonal items and decorations, sporting equipment, additional vehicles, and other things that are not regularly used may be better kept offsite from the start.

Using a storage unit will free up space at your home, and keep your new items organized. Also, some storage facilities will offer free use of moving trucks to make the process that much easier.

Pack and Prepare

Don’t fall victim to packing mistakes that can be a waste of time and energy. By packing boxes properly and using a storage unit for excess items, you’ll stay organized from the very start at your new home.

Photo credit: Jo Bourne

Visit our Moving Tips section on the blog for more advice on moving storage.

Think you need a storage unit? Check out our storage unit sizes, or contact Security Self Storage for a complimentary space evaluation.

Don’t miss a post! Subscribe to the Security Self Storage blog by email or RSS.

Become a fan of Security Self Storage on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

How to Select a Storage Unit Size

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:45:00 -0400

It can be difficult to determine what size storage unit you will need by just looking at some boxes or furniture. Whether you’re storing boxes of documents or a large vehicle, it’s important to select a storage unit that provides enough space to organize your belongings to your liking, as well as additional room to move around and add items in the future.

While everyone packs differently, use the following unit size examples as a guide:

1. Small Walk-in Closet

Typically measuring at or around 5x5 (all unit measurements in feet), this storage unit is perfect for small furniture items, seasonal clothing, several boxes and other miscellaneous items. This unit size would also be appropriate for a small- to medium-sized trailer.

2. Large Walk-in Closet

Ranging in sizes from 5x10 to 7.5x10, a storage unit similar to a large walk-in closet can accommodate furniture, such as a bed frame, mattress set and chest of drawers, as well as boxes and miscellaneous items from a large room or one-bedroom apartment.

If you need slightly more space, consider a 10x10 or 10x15 storage unit, which is comparable to about half the size of a standard one-car garage. These units can fit items from a two-bedroom apartment, or up to an 18-foot truck.

3. One-Car Garage

If you’re moving out of a two-bedroom house, you might choose either a 10x20 or 10x25 unit to store your items. Comparable to a one-car garage, a unit this size can fit furniture, appliances and other miscellaneous items from all rooms. A 22-foot truck would also fit in this class of storage units.

If you’re moving out of a three-bedroom house with additional furniture and belongings, consider a slightly larger unit, such as a 10x30 or 12x30. These units can also accommodate larger vehicles, such as boats and RVs.

4. Two-Car Garage

Furniture and items from larger homes with three to five bedrooms, plus living rooms, a kitchen and basement, would be best suited in a 20x20 unit, equivalent to a standard two-car garage.

Ceiling Height

While length and width of your unit are important, you should also consider the height, which can add significant storage space to your unit. Cubic feet (length x width x height) is the most accurate representation of available space, as cartons, boxes and other sturdy items can be stacked on top of each other to maximize space.

Your Storage Strategy

Storage capacity is directly affected by how tightly each box, appliance, furniture item or vehicle is placed within your unit. Be sure to select a unit that is representative of the types of items you plan to store, and the method in which you prefer to store them. Regardless of your packing style, be sure to catalog your items as you place them in the unit so you can easily retrieve them later.

And, don’t forget to select a climate-controlled storage unit if you plan to store any electronics, paper, fabric or wood items to prevent discoloration, odors and warping.

Self Storage for Winter Items

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:05:00 -0400

The arrival of warmer weather calls for a number of changes around your house, including setting up patio furniture, getting out the grill and reorganizing your wardrobe. If you don’t have ample space in your garage, basement or closets, you can benefit from using a self storage facility to store seasonal items such as snow equipment, holiday decorations and winter clothing.

When you begin the packing and storage process this season, consider these tips to properly store your seasonal items:

Snow Equipment

After the snow’s officially out of sight, you’ll want to clear out some garage space for your spring and summer essentials like grills, pool and patio necessities, garden equipment and bikes. Think about winter items that may be taking up valuable space in your garage that you’ll most likely never need to use in the warmer months. Ski or snowboard equipment, sleds and inner tubes, snow shovels and snow blowers are all great candidates for self storage. And, with proper storage preparation and a climate-controlled unit, your items will stay rust-free and ready for the next snow.

Winter Wardrobes

It’s time to pack up the bulky sweaters, corduroys and long sleeve shirts to make room for your spring and summer apparel. We’ve all experienced taking out a sweater from storage only to find that moths have eaten it up, or that it smells of mildew. The best solution to keep your clothes safe from damage is to store clothing in a climate-controlled area like a storage unit. By doing so, you’ll prevent issues related to mold or mildew, and keep your items ready for the upcoming winter. For added freshness, consider placing a dryer sheet in between individual items, or stacks of items.

Holiday Décor

In a previous post, we gave some tips to properly pack away and organize holiday decorations. Similarly to packing clothes, use plastic bins or tubs to ensure that your items remain undamaged. Cardboard boxes can be crushed in the process, and are susceptible to breaking down in damp conditions like basements.

Once you have everything packed up, consider freeing up some additional space at your home, and stash away holiday décor in a storage unit. Since these items are usually only brought out for a few weeks each year, you’ll keep unneeded boxes out of sight for a more organized home, and have easy access to items when needed.

Start the Season Off Right

Since you’re only using winter items for a few months each year, you’ll benefit from more organized and roomy spaces in your home during the warmer months. It’s important to take preventative steps to properly pack and organize items you’ve invested in. And, by utilizing a storage facility with climate-controlled units, you’ll help ensure your winter items are protected for the following season.

Related Posts:

How do you store your winter items safely?

Don’t miss a post! Subscribe to the Security Self Storage blog by email or RSS.

Become a fan of Security Self Storage on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Photo credit: Anja Jonsson

Wine Storage: Pros and Cons of Alternative Bottle Closures

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 09:55:00 -0400

In our first post on wine storage, we touched on the importance of proper storage conditions. Humidity is especially important to ensure that wine corks stay moist and maintain the airtight seal and prevent oxygen from damaging the wine.

Wine drinkers are typically most familiar with traditional, natural corks; however, modern wine making has introduced alternative wine closure systems, including synthetic corks and even twist-off caps without using a cork.

So, how can different types of bottle closures affect the storage of your wine? Here is a rundown of common wine bottle seals, and what to keep in mind when storing your wine collection:

Natural Corks

Natural corks are the most common way to seal wine bottles, accounting for 60 percent of wine bottle closures every year. Derived from the Quercus suber, or Cork Oak tree, the material is impenetrable, and expands once inside the wine bottle, regardless of the shape of the neck of the bottle, to create an airtight seal. The cork also expands and contracts with changes in any environmental fluctuations.

In addition, many wine aficionados correlate natural corks with sophistication and high-end wines.

A common flaw of traditional wine corks is the cracking that occurs naturally in the bark. This can result in oxidation due to excessive oxygen exposure. Natural corks can also become brittle when too dry, resulting in the cork breaking while opening, or causing pieces of cork to break off and float in the wine.

Another top concern is cork taint, caused by the presence of trichloroanisole (TCA). TCA is most commonly produced from naturally occurring fungi in the cork. Cork taint can cause wine to have a moldy smell and “corky” taste. According to Vintage Cellars, cork taint affects 3 to 15 percent of wine bottles, and can occur regardless of the type or price point of the wine.

Synthetic Corks

To protect against cork taint and achieve greater quality control, many wine makers have started using synthetic (or plastic) corks in lieu of natural corks. Synthetic corks function just like a natural cork, but are resistant to the fungal contamination found frequently in natural corks.

Synthetic corks also have their downfalls. Unlike natural corks, synthetic corks do not adapt to their environment, which can result in an imperfect fit for the bottle. A cork that is too loose can let in too much air and damage the wine; a cork that is too tight can block out the small amount of air needed to help wine age and evolve as intended. Further, when a synthetic cork is too tight, it can be difficult to remove from the bottle after about 18 months.

Screw Caps

Twist-off caps are becoming increasingly popular among wine makers looking for alternatives to natural corks for both mainstream and high-end wines. Like synthetic corks, screw caps maintain a tight seal and do not deteriorate, thus preventing oxidation caused by too much air entering the wine bottle. This can aid in the long-term aging of wine. Screw caps are also immune to cork taint.

Wine enthusiasts argue that the airtight seal established with screw tops can hinder wine over time, trapping in unpleasant flavors and blocking out the limited amount of air needed for flavors to develop. But, perhaps the greatest concern with the use of screw caps is the perception that twist-off tops are only for “cheap” wine.

Smart Wine Storage

Whether a wine is sealed with a natural cork, synthetic cork or screw cap, it is still important to maintain consistent conditions to promote the best possible development of flavors. By being cognizant of the pros and cons associated with each type of closure, you can make an educated decision on how long to store wine before enjoying. When in doubt, talk to the wine maker to determine the appropriate storage time for your special bottle of wine.

Have you noticed a difference between the wine bottle closures discussed above? Share your tips and experiences with our community.

Related Blog Posts:

---

Don’t miss a post! Subscribe to the Security Self Storage blog by email or RSS.

Become a fan of Security Self Storage on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Photo Credit: biggertree

Value-Added Perks of Self Storage

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:15:00 -0400

There are a variety of benefits to using self-storage for your home or business, such as freeing up onsite space, improving organization and maintaining the quality of sensitive items with climate control. While these are all transparent reasons to use a storage unit, some facilities often offer additional perks that make using self storage even more beneficial.

If you’re considering a storage unit for extras either at a house or office, ask about special features or services that facilities offer for a less stressful move:

Complimentary Consultations

Cleaning, organizing and packing can be overwhelming tasks, and a deterrent for beginning the initial storage process. Many times, you’re not sure what needs to go and what you should keep, or what size storage unit you need to fit your things. Check with the manager of the facility you’re considering to see if they offer pre-moving consultation and space evaluations. This will give you the tools needed to help streamline the process and select the appropriate storage solutions.

Pick-up Service

If you don’t want to incur the hassle and added expense of renting a moving truck, find the facilities that offer a complimentary moving truck or pick-up service. Choosing a a facility that offers this bonus will minimize stress and save you valuable time and money.

Payment Options & Discounts

While some people prefer to make manual payments each month, it’s also nice to have the option of having your payments automatically charged to a credit card. With auto-pay, you won’t have to worry about late payments or sending in your payment each month. Ask your facility their payment options, and see what works best for you.

Also, be sure to inquire about storage discounts and incentives, such as active military, public safety or prepayment discount. This way, you can take advantage of great storage options at a great price.

Ask Your Storage Manager

It’s important to find a storage facility that meets your home or business needs, and the value-added services mentioned above can make the decision easy. To assist in this process, make a list of the different questions that you’d like to ask the facility manger before making a decision. Many times, you’ll likely find perks that will help simplify your move, and enhance you storage experience.

What perks or value-added services do you find helpful?

---

Don’t miss a post! Subscribe to the Security Self Storage blog by email or RSS.

Become a fan of Security Self Storage on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Three S’s to Spring Cleaning and Storage

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:30:00 -0500

As we near the end of these frigid winter months, Ohioans long for the warmer weather of spring, and begin to prepare for the freshness of the outdoors. The first day of spring, March 20, is in sight on our calendars, encouraging us to get motivated and organized.

If you’re planning to start the spring-cleaning restoration process in your home within the next few weeks, or just want to work towards a cleaner home, here are three important cleaning and organization steps that are applicable to any room in your home, and will keep your head clear in the process:

1. Start High, End Low

When tackling a large room, it can be a daunting task just trying to figure out where to start. There’s actually a lot to be cleaned on your ceiling like ceiling fans, light fixtures, curtains, etc., so begin at the highest point. Then, work your way down.

For example, if you’re beginning in the kitchen, move to the walls, windows, countertops, cabinets, and finish with the floors. This way, any dust or dirt you stir up in the process can eventually be cleaned up off the floor, resulting in a complete clean.

Tip: If possible, open windows during this phase, especially if you plan to utilize chemical cleaning products. Or, think about using or making your own non-toxic cleaners.

2. Sort Your Stuff

You’ve probably heard the saying, “If you haven’t worn it in a year, get rid of it.” While this refers to purging your wardrobe, you can use this same mentality when cleaning any of any room.

Start with one room, and sift through its contents. If you’re beginning with the attic, for example, it’s helpful to create three piles, such as “Use Often,” “Use Sparingly,” and “Never Use.” You’ll be surprised at how many items end up in the last two piles.

Tip: For things you want to get rid of, consider contacting a donation center, or coordinate a yard sale, in lieu of throwing items away.

3. Store It

Consider a self storage unit for items you labeled as “Use Sparingly” and “Never Use," especially if they’re things you don’t necessarily want to part with. This could include heirlooms or antiques in the attic, unused electronics or athletic equipment from the basement, or even cars or boats wasting valuable space in the garage. Storage units are affordable and easily accessible, allowing you to retrieve your belongings whenever you need them.

Note: Climate-controlled storage units regulate temperature and humidity, which helps to avoid warped wood, yellowed artwork, rusted metals, musty clothing or corroded electronics.

Add Some Spring to Your Step

It doesn’t necessarily matter when you begin the spring cleaning process. It does, however, help to approach the task with a plan and a goal. Decide what your main priority is—whether it’s ridding a room of junk, freeing up space in the basement or giving yourself peace of mind in a clean house—to maintain motivation, and start off the warmer months on the right foot.

Photo credit: clogwog

Related posts:

When do you start the spring-cleaning process? Share your tips!

---

Don’t miss a post! Subscribe to the Security Self Storage blog by email or RSS.

Become a fan of Security Self Storage on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Security Self Storage Ltd. Blog

Self Storage for College Students: Solutions for Subletting

Protect Your Valuables

Amenities to Ease the Process

Self Storage for Long-Term Storage

Self Storage for Cleveland Real Estate Agents

Reducing Clutter With Storage

Adding Personality With Staging

“Housekeeping” Details

Convenience for Busy Schedules

Related posts:

Moving? How to Avoid Common Packing Mistakes

Heavy Boxes

Packing Materials

Proper Labeling

Store Excess Items

Pack and Prepare

How to Select a Storage Unit Size

1. Small Walk-in Closet

2. Large Walk-in Closet

3. One-Car Garage

4. Two-Car Garage

Ceiling Height

Your Storage Strategy

Related Blog Posts:

Self Storage for Winter Items

Snow Equipment

Winter Wardrobes

Holiday Décor

Start the Season Off Right

Wine Storage: Pros and Cons of Alternative Bottle Closures

Natural Corks

Synthetic Corks

Screw Caps

Smart Wine Storage

Value-Added Perks of Self Storage

Complimentary Consultations

Pick-up Service

Payment Options & Discounts

Ask Your Storage Manager

Three S’s to Spring Cleaning and Storage

1. Start High, End Low

2. Sort Your Stuff

3. Store It

Add Some Spring to Your Step