Hey {{first_name}},

Back in January, storage operator and coach AJ Osborne made a bold prediction:

2025 would be the year everything changes for storage investors.

He went on record pointing out that the industry was experiencing a transitionary period- 

And that this was the real window of opportunity where fortunes get made,

Not during the boom times when everyone's fighting over deals.

Nine months later, he turned out to be absolutely right, and the investors who listened are crushing it.

I'm going to show you exactly what he predicted, what actually happened, and what this means for your investment strategy heading into 2026…

Here are the predictions back in January that felt too optimistic at the time:

Prediction #1: "2024 was the floor. 2025 is the transition year."

After two brutal years of occupancy drops and rate cuts, 2024 created the bottom.

By spring 2025, we saw the busy season actually return – something that hadn't happened in years. Rates stabilized. Occupancy held. The floor was in.

Prediction #2: "The 3-year development lag is about to hit hard."

Interest rates spiked in 2022-23, and tons of projects got gutted.

The pipeline contracted significantly, and we're entering a period where demand is recovering but new supply is limited.

And that's the perfect recipe for rent growth.

Prediction #3: "This transitionary period is where you make all your money – not during the boom."

The investors who bought in early 2025 are already seeing the fruits of this one.

Deals that were trading at 7-9 caps in smaller markets are now stabilizing with improving fundamentals.

Meanwhile, those who waited for "interest rates to drop" or "the market to recover" missed the entry point, and are instead facing a rapidly closing window of opportunity.

Prediction #4: "Small market operators will dominate this cycle."

Institutional capital is still chasing trophy assets at 4-5 caps, but smaller operators who understood market dynamics found incredible opportunities in third and fourth tier markets.

Today, seller financing has become common, competition decreased, and the playing field tilted toward the operators who were willing to do the work.

My favorite takeaway is Prediction #3:

The best time to invest isn't when the market is booming – it's during the transition FROM the downturn TO the boom.

The investors winning right now bought when things were still uncertain.

When interest rates were high, when headlines were negative, when banks were cautious.

When buyers were scarce, so sellers were willing to negotiate.

So what does this mean for you heading into 2026?

The window is still open, but it's closing. As more investors recognize the transition is happening, competition increases and cap rates compress.

AJ breaks down his complete market outlook and investment strategy on his YouTube channel. If you want to understand where this market is heading and how to position yourself for the next 12-24 months, you should go check it out.

Here's to being early,

Cody