What type of strategies and paths forward if you were in my shoes as a professional handyman and home remodeler?  

Hi everyone,I’m brand new to self-storage investing but currently learning and spending a lot of time studying the asset class, underwriting, and operations.

Hey there, I’m a new investor in the storage industry and I’m looking at a self storage facility in central PA.

Additionally, any area which can be rented such as additional storage space, parking, garages, vending, could be value-adds.

What would be the first steps if you were in my shoes?

I’m licensed in over 25 states and have spent the last few months studying multifamily and creative finance strategies with the goal of building a portfolio that generates long-term cash flow and stability.I’m extremely motivated to start closing deals now — ideally multifamily or self-storage, though I’m also open to triple net opportunities down the line.

I am eager to start but can't get around the glaring issue of not having initial capital so I was wondering if there are any methods you guys would use to raise capital if you were in my shoes or is it just time to put my head down and put in long hours? 

I’m cautious about underwriting income that relies on behavior I don’t plan to replicate.Items like RUBS, parking, storage, or adding new fees are much more business-plan driven for me.

.🏭 Industrial Asset Examples:Heavy & General Industrial FacilitiesManufacturing plants with production lines, cranes, and heavy power requirementsDistribution hubs serving regional or national supply chainsCold storage or food-grade industrial facilitiesIndustrial campuses with multiple buildings and shared infrastructureRail-served or port-adjacent industrial propertiesValue Creation Examples:Reconfiguring floor layouts for production efficiencyPower upgrades (3-phase, heavy amperage)Dock door additions or conversionsYard expansion and truck circulation improvements🏗 Flex Property Examples:Hybrid Office / Industrial AssetsFlex parks with front-office showroom and rear warehouse spaceTech-enabled flex buildings for R&D or engineering firmsContractor flex spaces (plumbing, HVAC, electrical firms)Medical or lab-adjacent flex facilities:Business parks with divisible flex suitesValue Creation Examples:Converting excess office to warehouse or vice versaImproving curb appeal for higher-quality tenantsRepositioning flex from owner-user to investment productUpgrading loading access or clear heights⚙️ Light Manufacturing Examples:Low-Impact Manufacturing & AssemblyAssembly plants (electronics, medical devices, packaging)Food processing or bottling facilitiesPrinting, plastics, or fabrication shopsApparel or product assembly centersSmall-batch production facilitiesValue Creation Examples:Layout optimization for workflow efficiencyUtility coordination (gas, water, compressed air)Compliance upgrades (ADA, OSHA, food-grade finishes)Expansion planning for future growth🚚 Warehouse & Distribution Examples:Storage & Logistics FacilitiesLast-mile delivery warehousesRegional distribution centersE-commerce fulfillment facilitiesBulk storage and racked warehousesMulti-tenant warehouse parksValue Creation Examples:Dock-high vs grade-level conversionsClear height increases or racking optimizationTruck court and trailer storage improvementsLighting, flooring, and fire suppression upgrades🏢 Business Center / Multi-Tenant Industrial Examples:Small-bay industrial parksContractor and service-oriented industrial centersMixed flex-industrial business campusesOwner-user industrial condo developmentsValue Creation Examples:Tenant mix optimizationOperating expense reduction through vendor renegotiationCapital improvement planning tied to lease renewalsRepositioning older assets to modern industrial standards

Not saying its not out there, but very elusive for sure.  75% is rare, but available if the shoe fits.