All Forum Posts by: Wendy Carpenter

Oh my, all this remote desktop and Windows 10 stuff is so over my head! Hahahah 

I should maybe just call ESS and say “JUST TELL ME WHAT TO BUY FOR MY TECHNOLOGICAL ABILITIES!” Hahah

Sheesh! Sorry for being MIA, I have been running around doing the inspection, getting bids, and doing the dreaded taxes. 

So I actually read one of the other threads about software where people were talking about Easy Storage Solutions, @Brandon Yuan! We called them and I think that's who we are going to go with. @Mark Byrge, I can't remember, were you also singing the praises of Easy Storage Solutions?

I'll have to look into that new hardware, Brandon! One thing I wonder about though--will that only work with ESS? As in, if for some reason in the future I decided to do something else, would it not work? I think with something like Alltec, it would obviously work on it's own. 

One more thing about that, is your actual physical gate opener the same brand or does that not matter? (technology is obviously not my bag! hah)

So I've gotten a few more quotes back and I'm liking them more! Storage First has been the best one so far, thanks, Michael, for the suggestion!

Now, my dilemma is how do I make sure all policies are created equal??  There's a lot of insurance gobbly gook language in policies. 

How do I know whether or not it is good comprehensive coverage and they are equal to each other?   There's obviously always the potential for hidden loopholes or areas of coverage that could be left out that I don't catch. 

@Michael Wagner? @Mark Byrge? @Yonah Weiss?

@Michael Wagner, total sq ft including apartment is 11,852.  One of the quotes had a replacement cost of $675k. The property is here in my area (south of Seattle), and we have no big market specific costs (it’s not even in a flood zone!). 

It is an older building (1993), roof was replaced 4 years ago. 

Do you mean a local broker or a local insurance company?

@Mark Byrge, you’re one of my favorite people today! Thanks for responding to my questions!

So I guess you just assume you’ll never run out of numbers?! Haha 

Do you have a favorite brand of keypad, Mark?

Here’s my second of what will likely be quite a few mini storage questions! 

The property I’m purchasing currently has a fence on 3 sides, but no gate(s). The drive is a horseshoe shape around the back of the building (only one building on the property). We plan to put in an entrance gate on one side and then an exit only gate on the other. 

What do you all use for access? Key fob? Key code? Key card? I would appreciate advice on any systems and brands you are currently using for a gate opener and for tenant access. There seems to be a million out there! 

My partner is skeptical of using key cards (which I think would be the easiest/best route) as he thinks they have too much potential to be demagnetized and cause us a lot of work. 

It’s only an 82 unit facility, so not a huge one. I’m trying to be smart economically, but also get something that won’t cause us problems with low quality. 

Thanks, @Yonah Weiss, I’ll message you!

@Mark Byrge, Liberty Mutual is one I have a quote for at the moment, and although it was less than the first one, it’s still more than I thought it would be by a lot! How long did you stay with Liberty and how did you go about finding a better quote? 

@Michael Wagner

@Michael Wagner , the most recent quote I received was about $3500. The place is only currently valued at about $600k. One thing I’m wondering about is whether it’s up in the range of yours because it has a manager’s apartment on the front? Do yours have any kind of residence on the property?

All of you who own mini storage properties, who do you use for your insurance? 

I’m under contract on my first storage property, so I’m trying to get everything lined up. I just had my first quote at about quadruple what it should be. Argh. 

I love the idea of using a company for automation, but I’m a little unclear as to who would then show the units to prospective renters?

Thank you, @Andrew A., I really appreciate it!!