Business

The Self-Storage Industry and the Fluctuation from Corona Virus

Published

1 year ago

December 26, 2022

In recent years, the self-storage industry in the United States has been largely dependent upon what insiders call the four D’s: death, divorce, displacement, and disaster. However, the Coronavirus pandemic, combined with reckless expansion and aggressive competition, resulted in what seems to be a few recession-proof elements of the commercial real estate industry.

The industry has been at its peak of expansion since the last downturn because of the lockdown and quarantine period when companies and people increased their need for storage space. Gradual increases in demand and price made rivals eager to bring innovation into the industry by expanding technology and customer-focused services. For example, The Storage Group, one of the companies that provide self-storage feasibility and reliable services, was founded by Brian Pelski and Larry Hanks in 2010. Steve Lucas currently holds the charge of the CEO and managing partner. The company remained focused on innovation and brought its idea and a progressive way for succession through ClickandStor® Online Rental Suite. It was the first company to welcome the latest technology to the industry and created the first fully-integrated, online move-in platform available to the self-storage industry. As a result, The Storage Group collaborated and integrated with several companies, including Self Storage Manager, Storage Commander, Doorswap, Web Self-Storage, SiteLink, and Storage.

ClickandStor provides the most cost-effective and easiest way for the end user to rent storage and manage their online storage account. It enables the user to browse several facilities listed on its directory website clickandstor.com allowing customer access, storage rentals, reservations, payments, and more. ClickandStor is also provided on individual storage websites to make the rental process simple to navigate online. Whether customers visit the facility website or come through the online directory, ClickandStor allows them to register, digitally sign in and make all required payments without human interaction.

ClickandStor is transforming the way of self-storage businesses and their applications. With its new features and technology, users only need a cell phone or a computer to access the entire unit from the storage website, gateway access code, and payment schedules.

Value-added features of ClickandStor include a 3D value pricing map, 3D calculator, multi-lingual marketplace, enhanced security features, and more. The online rental tool provides daily 24/7 updates of inventory, units, and pricing in real time for tenants regarding reservations and rentals through integrating with the self-storage property management software systems.

Pandemic and Rents

Rents went to their heights during the pandemic. However, according to a research site, Yardi Matrix, the rates began to fall in June for new customers before one-time discounts for a 10×10 unit excluded heat and air-conditioning. To be sure, around 4.3 percent declined nationwide on an annual basis. Moreover, a fall of about 6.7 percent for climate control units was seen. Interestingly, this was the case in the pandemic only. Whereas coronavirus cases are halted around the country, the leaders are putting fewer restrictions on schools and businesses. Thereby, the industry of self-storage industry is under progress revival.

The self-storage industry started in the 1960s when consumers led businesses in America to buy more stuff than they had the capacity for. Ever since then, the industry has been in progress and steadily growing.

The rates of climate control units and without touched their height nationwide in the previous years after the demand ballooned. Americans with available income bought more stuff and realized the need for more storage places to store them.

According to IBIS World research, the number of self-storage facilities boomed nationwide and grew to more than 60,000 in 2020 from 47,000 in 2008. At the same time, the revenue increased 2.6 percent annually to $38.6 billion in 2019 from 2014.

The industry also faced numerous challenges during the pandemic, like any other business similar to the ones meant to protect residential tenants. Especially in Los Angeles, where in June, an ordinance was passed that deferring rent or late fees for self-storage will expel and ban the tenants.

Self-storage suppliers struggled with problems similar to other industries, like keeping surfaces cleaner. This varied from state to state. However, the lockdown orders were essential to follow for every business.

Revenue took a halt when rents stagnated. By the end of May, the average rent for the self-storage companies was about the same as the previous year, according to Green Street Advisors. But this did not stop self-storage companies from developing or taking a break. With the immense need, the valuation is expected to grow to $115.62 billion in 2025. According to this prediction, the compound annual growth rate would be 134.79% over the forecast period of 2020-2025, increasing the need for supportive self-storage businesses like The Storage Group.

Business

From Contracts to Counsel: Your Essential Guide to Hiring a Probate Attorney in Chicago

Published

2 weeks ago

March 31, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Like many people, you’ll come across the term probate after a loved one, such as a parent or spouse, passes away. So, what is probate, and why do you need an attorney for it? As defined in Forbes, probate is a legal process that occurs after death. It entails transferring the assets of the decedent (the person who passed) to beneficiaries named in their last will.

With that in mind, having a probate lawyer by your side is essential. The last thing you want to do is deal with the legal complexities of settling a loved one’s estate while grieving. A probate lawyer oversees the validation of the deceased’s will and the fair distribution of assets among family members. One challenge lies in finding a top-quality probate lawyer.

In this guide to hiring a probate attorney in Chicago, we’ll discuss the tips to identify the right legal professional for probate proceedings.

Understand the Responsibilities of a Probate Lawyer

It’s difficult to hire a talented probate lawyer when you don’t know what they do: Start by understanding the roles they play.

When you work with a Chicago probate lawyer, some tasks they might do include:

Act as an estate executor or administrator
Collect proceeds from the life insurance policies of the deceased
Identify and secure the decedent’s assets
Get an appraisal for the deceased’s estate
Pay debts and resolve estate tax issues
Prepare and file documents required in probate court
Transfer assets to rightful heirs
Represent you in litigation proceedings if someone challenges or contests the will

A probate lawyer could also help you and your family navigate state inheritance laws if a loved one dies without a valid will. That way, you can avoid unnecessary taxes or other ramifications of not creating a will, such as losing ownership rights of the deceased’s business or financial support.

Search for Lawyers Online and Offline

You’re probably thinking, where do I find the best lawyer to hire? You could seek referrals from friends or colleagues. Friends who worked with probate attorneys before might provide important details, such as how the lawyers communicate and handle the probate process.

Alternatively, do a simple online search using the terms “probate lawyer near me” or “probate attorney in Chicago.” Go through various websites or online directories and write names of lawyers with positive ratings and customer testimonials. Then, contact the potential lawyers to set up free consultations. Note that not all legal professionals offer free consultations, so make sure to ask before setting a time in your calendar.

Ask the Right Questions

A free consultation provides opportunities to ask questions to better understand if the lawyers in question have the qualifications to handle your probate case.

Four questions you might ask attorneys during the initial meeting may include:

Do You Have Experience in Probate Law?

When evaluating lawyers, prioritize experience. An experienced probate lawyer is aware of common pitfalls that can result in the probate petition being postponed or dropped by a judge. To feel more comfortable about an attorney’s expertise, ask them if they’ve handled probate cases similar to yours before.

For example, let’s say the deceased owned a substantial estate or had complicated assets like royalties and mineral stocks. Working with an attorney with a track record of successfully handling cases like that could save you time and money in the long run.

What Do Other Clients Say About You?

Experience alone doesn’t make a probate lawyer perfect for your case. Look for someone with an outstanding reputation. These reviews likely live on Google next to their business profile or are featured on their website. If you can’t find any endorsements, ask for testimonials written by past clients.

One point to focus on is what reviewers say about the lawyer’s efficiency and speed. Beyond that, does the lawyer offer expert guidance, conflict mitigation, and proper asset management during probate?

A probate attorney in Chicago, IL, should be an efficient expert in asset preservation. This can be crucial to helping avoid hefty taxes and excessive debt claims. Additionally, if the lawyer receives positive feedback on conflict mitigation, it suggests they have experience in resolving or mitigating family conflicts that tend to stall the probate process.

How Long Does Probate Last?

One way to test a probate lawyer’s knowledge is by asking them, “How long does probate last?” While the numbers vary, probate can last for a few months to over a year in many states, including Chicago. When highlighting factors that affect the duration of probate, your counsel might mention things like estate size, family disputes, debt and taxes, absence of a will, and state laws.

A knowledgeable lawyer can explain clearly why your probate case could last a few months or even years. A lawyer that makes too brazen or hard-set of promises might not be the most honest.

How Do You Want Us To Communicate?

There’s no hard rule on how you and your probate attorney communicate. You can talk via text messages, email, video calls, or phone calls. More importantly, check that the attorney communicates in simple language to help you understand your case.

In fact, one essential of a lawyer’s dos and don’ts to gaining clients’ trust is to avoid making clients feel clueless. If a potential lawyer uses complex legal terms or avoids communicating directly, search for probate services elsewhere.

Conclusion: Finding a Probate Attorney in Chicago

Reviewing the will of a loved one after their death and ensuring fair distribution of their assets often involves complex legal issues. For this reason, consider hiring an attorney who specializes in probate law.

To maximize your chances of finding the right probate lawyer, familiarize yourself with their responsibilities. Next, search online for lawyers within your state or ask for recommendations from people you trust. Then, interview prospects to help ensure they possess experience, a remarkable reputation, communication skills, and knowledge of probate law.

Settling the affairs of a loved one who has passed on can be an overwhelming time. A probate attorney can help lift some of the pressure off your shoulders as you focus on grieving and healing.