Francis Chantree
Francis Chantree is a writer and editor for Yardi, focusing on real estate and lifestyle content. He is a former programmer and researcher who exchanged computer language for his greatest passion, human language! When not writing and proofreading text, he can be found gardening and reading.
Mountain View of Da Nang Vietnam

Da Nang, Cancún & Mérida Best Cities for Digital Nomads, Even in Aftermath of COVID-19

The digital nomad lifestyle has become even more attractive in the aftermath of COVID-19 as working online has become more popular and doable even in industries otherwise regarded as office dependent. We’re seeing an increase in medics practicing telemedicine, lawyers offering advice online, and realtors taking buyers on virtual tours, and much of this work can be done anywhere there’s a good internet connection.

Man is business suit holding SEO evaluation

4 Tips On How To Grow SEO For Your Self Storage Website

You may well have wondered what exactly SEO is and why is it important for a self-storage website. Search engine optimization is the digital marketing practice focused on making your company more visible to users who search for self storage units near them. There are many different ways to improve or optimize parts of your website that will improve how it ranks in search engine results, therefore making it more likely to be seen by potential customers in your area.

Valet Self Storage a Good Option in the Time of the Coronavirus

Valet self storage is a relatively new trend in the self storage industry which is proving its worth right now. Instead of you having to take your belongings to a storage facility, a company collects them from your home and delivers them back when you want them — they can even pack them for you. This can be very convenient and, importantly these days, staying at home means that social distancing and avoiding contaminated surfaces won’t be a problem.

Businessman with back to camera facing the future

MA, CA & WA Best-Placed to Combat COVID-19 With Their Digital Economies

Key findings:

Stacks of plastic storage containers

Best Containers for Self Storage

Putting things in self storage is often done hurriedly, perhaps when a person is moving home or suddenly needs to free up some space where they live. But if the items are worth storing, it’s worth making sure they remain in good condition there. One of the most important ways to ensure this is to keep them in appropriate containers in the storage unit.

Packing boxes used in the process of moving home

How to Pack for Cross-Country Move: 5 Steps for An Easy Move

The thought of moving into a new home can be overwhelming, and even more so if you have to plan lugging your belongings all the way across the country. Given the already stressful frame of mind that moving brings, being able to pack your belongings as easily as possible can help you make the most of your move.

Inside a warehouse with shelves

Why You Should Rent a Warehouse for Your Online Store

As e-commerce businesses continue to seek ways to push for speedier deliveries, the demand for warehousing increases. According to the consulting firm CBRE Group, warehouse rents went up by 33.7 percent to an average of $6.67 per square foot in the 5 years from 2014 to 2019. Demand for storage space is high and there’s a reason for that.

Insurance policy with pen and glasses

Should You Insure Your Stored Belongings?

The self-storage industry has grown a lot in recent years, benefiting people with stuff they don’t have space for. Whatever the value of the items being stored, insuring them is a good idea, as unexpected things can happen. Using an existing insurance policy may be possible, but specialized self-storage insurance can offer added benefits.

A pile of ordinary batteries

How to Store Batteries in a Self-Storage Unit

Batteries are everywhere as more and more electronic devices are manufactured, and then there are the heavyweight versions used in cars and so on. You may have come to appreciate the benefits of self-storage, but can you simply throw anything that uses a battery into your storage unit? As with many aspects of self-storage, there are some rules and words of advice you should be aware of.

Fairway America: Retail-to-Storage Repurposing Is a Great Investment

The lowering of street rates in many parts of the country might indicate that there are enough self-storage facilities already, and yet they are still being built. To find out more, we talked to a leading investment company with a special interest in this sector. As it turns out, investment in self-storage is still a great idea and it can be done most successfully if you keep your business ahead of the game, according to Fairway America.

A cozy corner with suspended chair and natural light

Achieving Hygge: Adding Comfort to Your Home

Hygge (pronounced HYOO-guh) has been defined in so many different ways, but all of them point to one commonality: finding cozy joy in the simple things. Hyggelig (pronounced HYOO-guh-lee) is the adjective that describes things which create the feeling of hygge. This philosophy which lends itself to feelings of comfort and well-being began in Scandinavia, but now it is known internationally. So, how can you put this into practice in the home?

New York Subway Train

Where’s Public Transportation Going Today? Major Cities Move in the Right Direction

Driving a car is still America’s favorite way to get to work, but public transit use has been increasing across the nation at almost twice the rate. Congestion and commute times for car riders have increased, making public transport more appealing, while also providing an environmentally and economically-friendly solution.