Choosing a Self-Storage Unit: Don’t Be in the Dark!

January 22, 2015

Toronto Home Staging

Clutter is your enemy when selling your home, whether it be excess furniture or decor, children’s toys or old clothing, or papers and documents, all of these MUST be taken cared off before listing your home. Clutter can make any room look smaller, and it screams problems to your buyers.  If you have too much “stuff” in your home like most homeowners do, a temporary self-storage unit might be a great solution to free up some space!

Here are some guidelines when choosing your  temporary self-storage units:

1. Select an appropriately-sized storage rental unit to meet your needs

Many storage rental companies will outline how much will fit into their various-sized units on their websites. To maximize storage space and for easy access:

  • Purge, donate or sell items that you don’t need and toss appliances that don’t work.
  • Arrange the items according to importance for ease should you need to get it.
  • Pack items in boxes and stack it to maximize vertical space of the unit.
  • Allow room for awkwardly–sized items that cannot be boxed.
  • Don’t forget to label boxes to save you time and prevent confusion when its time take it out.

2. Gather information on the different storage rental companies in your area

Read online reviews and check out rates before visiting any of the companies. Here are some questions that can help you decide:

  • Does the company offer a military or senior discount?
  • Do they have a month to month term?
  • Are you comfortable with a monthly term or 4-week term rental (every 30 days vs every 28 days)?
  • Is it less expensive if you pay a few months’ rent in advance?
  • Does the facility have an elevator for convenience and security monitoring systems to safeguard any valuables you are storing?
  • Is the storage facility climate-controlled so your items are not damaged from extremes in temperature?
  • If your homeowner’s insurance does not cover damages or theft, does the facility provide insurance that you can purchase?
  • Is a truck for rent provided for transporting your possessions or will you need to rent one elsewhere?

3. Lastly, make sure the location and storage hours work for you

Generally, storage units outside of the city are less expensive compared to the ones downtown. Don’t forget to consider the travel time and gas expenses if you will be frequently visiting your storage unit.

  • What are the hours of operation of the office and the storage facility?
  • Will you have easy access to your unit when needed?
  • Will a drive-in storage facility work better for you?

If you follow the steps for choosing a storage rental unit outlined here, you will make the right decision. Once your excess possessions are stored, you won’t believe how much more energized you will feel in your own home with less around you.

Every square footage counts when selling your home, take advantage of temporary storage units to show off more space in your home, not to mention that having some of your items packed and stored before your home is sold will make it much easier when you have to move!

Click here for storage units around the city listed by BlogTo that might work for you!

Red Barrinuevo | Your Toronto Home Stager

is a Canadian Certified Staging Professional. His professional affiliations include the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) and the CSP. He is the recipient of numerous home staging awards and was picked as RESA’s Top Professional Stager of Canada for 2016. He has worked with hundreds of Real Estate Brokers, Investors, Real Estate Agents, and has helped homeowners showcase their homes at its best when it is time to sell.

As President and Principal Stager of REDESIGN4MORE, Red provides home staging and interior redecorating services for both small and large-scale residential projects throughout Toronto and the GTA. Click here to learn more about Red and REDESIGN4MORE.

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