Ok well not really but that title caught your didn't it?
I need some advice and know you will give me candid feedback:
- I am curently renting a storage unit for almost $1000.00 per month. It has no lights and no heat (or a/c)
- It is 20 minutes from home
- I have considered building a storage space onto my home and doing a basic project will cost between $20-25 k. Even though this will add equity to my home I do not want to invest this kind of money given the state of the economy right now.
I think I am going to purchase a used truck trailer- THE BACK OF A MOVING TRUCK-and park it in the parking space next to my garage!
The trailer/container will lie flat on the asphalt and will be painted white. It has a garage door, a transparent day light roof, wooden floors, and lighting!
My husband thinks I am nuts and is not thrilled with the idea of a trailer parked next to the house but this is a family biz after all!
Of course I will not keep there if I ever sell my house but I think it could be cute. I could add topiary trees and a door mat and some plantings around it!
Please share your ideas with me and tell me if you think I am nutzo!
The best part? It will cost me $1600!
kh
I'd do it! Turn $1000 per month of overhead into $133 dollars a month?
I don't care WHO didn't like it. Business is business. It isn't a permanent impact on your equity. It's totally moveable. It will save you TONS of time, gas, and cashola.
In two years you can build the Taj Mahal of Storage Builidings, and take the equity of that investment with you when you move..
Renting the way you are, you might as well go fire up the BBQ and toss $1000 bills in it!
Remember, they way you live in a house and the well you sell your house are two different things. You live there. Do what you have to do!
Best of Luck, ~Michelle
Kate, I think its a wonderful idea. Your husband has no faith! Of course, it will be adorable. We live on a hill with no flat land or I would have built/put a warehouse on it long ago. I hate paying rent! Do you mean those containers that they use to ship items by boat back and forth from overseas? Similar? I was looking at them a while back. Kym
Kate: Check zoning laws in your area to make sure it is OK. I would have thought storage prices in your area would have been less expensive. That is about what I pay here in LA with lights, heat, AC and a bathroom for 1500 sq. ft. which is no big bargain. I loved having everything stored in the guest house on my property just for the convenience, but it made more sense financially to rent the guest house and get a warehouse for me.
If you can have the storage on your property just for the cost of the shipping container, I think you should go for it. You can even put siding on it or a screen around it to make it more palatable for your husband and the neighbors. Let us know how it works out.
Kate that sounds like a wise financial decision to me. I have always thought about containers, but since they're metal I would worry about the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter, but then my storage unit is hot and cold too. I must look into this. My current storage unit is leased but when that is up I need to reconsider this option.
Where did you find yours with all of the extras? Online I hope.
Kate,
I was at a Joel Osteen convention this week in Chicago, (Joel is a young preacher but speaks more like a motivational speaker think Tony Robbins)
Anyway he spoke of how his father once thought like you.. His father wanted to expand the ministry back in the 80's in Texas but at that time there was a recession like we are going through now.
His father asked (more of argued with god) about making such a big investment at such a bad time. God told Joe Osteen Sr. to plant that seed ask for favor and you will be rewarded.
So the moral of the story is Joe Sr. did make the investment because his gut or God told him that he is a great preacher (and for you a Great Stager) and if you believe this is the right move for you to make then make it. The investment Joe Sr. made turned into Joel Osteen buying a 40,000 seat stadium that sells out each week.
Hope all the best comes to you.
BB
hey all thanks for your comments.
I think that it is worth it since I can always resell it to the man I am buying it from. I also think it would be a great staging challenge!
I am concerned about the zoning but I think since we are putting it on the existing parking space no one will see it.
I looked at the shipping containers and they are a bit more money and do not have electrical. This is the back of a penske truck- yes a big yellow truck body but mine will be white!
I am going to look at it in person tomorrow. Two other people have already looked into to it so I have to act fast. If all else fails I can get a racecar and tow it behind my truck and go on the nascar circuit! kh
I actually thought of this short term at one time while storage was still in my garage but with a POD or other short term container while I was in transition but because of city ordinances it wasn't time or cost effective. As long as your neighbors are cool with it and you can live with it I can't see why not! If you do I'd love to see what you do to it - sounds like an interesting challenge.
Kate, just make sure you check out the roof for leaks. I have used non-road worthy trailers in the past for short term storage and on occasion I have gotten leakers.
Is the trailor heated/cooled? I have heard horror stories of melted masses of candles that were kept in an non-temperature controlled storage garage. The cost of your venture, however, sounds amazing!
I think you are a smart business woman for doing it...and your husband will come on board once he actually experiences the monthly savings. BTW, that's what my husband felt about my Toyota Prius until he saw the huge monthly saving on gas.
Kate,
Great idea. I have a rental house with a big unused side yard and this sounds like it could work there. Let us know how it works out.
I had my business props in a trailer on our front lawn while our house was being renovated. Everyone was up in arms about it; said I was recreating the Apalachians. I shrugged and said simply, "restraint of trade". I got away with it until the project was done about 6-8 months. I did take down the string that I hung the pool towels on to dry, though!!!!!!
Now, I have everything in our basement, much to the annoyance of my family, the cleaning lady and ANYone who comes to help move stuff in and out. It's a very large basement, dry (now) and cold. I like it. It's close. But when we move next year... I'll be warehousing with the best of y'all!
I want to see topiaries, fairy lights, a seasonal greeting, etc all over this thing, Kate - send photos post haste!!
Jj
aha! THAT IS A GREAT IDEA! Now I can finally get that santa-flying-his reindeer-blow-up-snow-globe-thingy for the roof of the trailer that my kids have been begging for. I knew there was a silver lining her somewhere!
and in the summer- plastic flamingos! kh
As storage and warehouse space gets more and more expensive I've heard of more and more stagers going this direction. It is not allowed next to the house in some subdivisions though, which is a problem. However, to each his own. Good idea and if it works for you, it'll give others the impetus to move forward on their storage issues, too.
Kate - If only you were still able to transport it. You could pull up to homes and have all your inventory on hand. No more running back for that last piece of art you forgot! You would eliminate the whole process of selection and loading your vehicle. You are brilliant! (If ONLY) Best of luck in your decision!
Are you in a neighorhood or an area where neighbors would complain if you placed the trailor on your premises?
It sounds like a useable idea, but I have to agree with your husband about placing it next to your garage, is it possible to have access behind the garage, etc. out of site?
Also, please be careful adding on to your home, it may add value to you, but not to another Buyer who doesn't have a need for the space.
I'm sorry that I don't have a solution, but have also been a realtor for many years and just wanted to share my thoughts.
Joyce
I say "go for it." I couldn't imagine having access to my inventory in my own back yard (so to speak).
Kathy
My math says that you do it for 2 years and 4 months. Save the extra money that you would be paying for rent and you will be able to add the addition to your home.
The big thing is putting aside the extra money each month.
Excellent idea. Thanks for sharing. I have been looking into storage in my area and this makes a whole lot more sense to me. I like the planting ideas as well. You might even get an art student to paint a mural of a house on the front so it fits into your property better. Plus you would get bonus points witht the neighbours for making it look less like a truck.