The AAA Storage Podcast

In this episode, Paul Bennett sits down with Shawn Beichler, Director of Land Development and Construction at AAA Storage, to reveal what truly goes into building a top-performing self-storage facility. Together, they break down the development process from pre-construction due diligence through value engineering, unique construction methods, and final delivery. Listeners gain practical insight in...

Join us for a candid conversation with Van Isley of Isley Family Ventures as he shares his journey from humble beginnings to launching a successful family office and investing across multiple asset classes. Hosted by Paul Bennett, this episode delivers firsthand insights into how family offices approach diversification, due diligence, and active versus passive investment strategies. Van reveals th...

Join us for an in-depth look at the art and science of deal underwriting with Logan Broyles, Senior Market Analyst at AAA Storage. In this episode, Logan pulls back the curtain on the nuanced process of evaluating self storage investments, from defining markets to weighing critical data points like supply, demand, and growth dynamics. Discover how the AAA team balances rigorous analysis with pract...

Join us for this we sit down with Paul Bennett to break down the landmark HR1 “Big Beautiful Bill” and its impact on commercial real estate investing. Together, they clarify what the new legislation means for investors, including enhancements to bonus depreciation, changes to qualified business income deductions, and the elimination of green energy tax credits. Paul shares practical examples and a...

In this episode of The AAA Storage Podcast, host Paul Bennett to break down the mechanics of how AAA’s self-storage investment fund is structured. Paul offers a clear, step-by-step explanation—from initial investor contributions and property risk protection to the timing of returns and the careful alignment of interests between investors and sponsor. If you’ve ever wondered how real estate funds a...

Paul Bennett takes on the breaking news of Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and the resulting escalation—laying out what this could mean for U.S. real estate. Paul draws on 40 years of investment experience to address what matters: heightened market volatility, possible shifts in oil and inflation, and the sector-by-sector fundamentals that investors need to understand as the global crisi...

Welcome to our data-driven mid-year 2025 real estate investing review, cutting through speculation to focus on the facts behind each major real estate sector’s position in the current cycle. COVID-induced shockwaves are still shaping fundamentals, with some asset classes finding their footing and others facing ongoing pressure. We outline where new opportunities are appearing, which sectors have s...

In this episode of the AAA Storage Podcast, Paul Bennett focuses on the essential lessons that come from nearly four decades of investing in real estate. Paul shares practical, candid insights about what shapes long-term success—discipline, planning, selecting the right sponsor, and the realities of market cycles. The discussion speaks directly to high-net-worth investors looking for reliable retu...

In this episode of The AAA Storage Podcast, Paul Bennett unravels the current dynamics of the multifamily and self-storage markets. Fresh from the PassivePockets conference, Paul shares insights from thought leader Brian Burke on the real estate sector's trajectory through 2025. Explore the influence of the 2008 financial crisis patterns on today's market and discover why patience and strategic op...

Join Paul Bennett to discuss the dynamics of Growth Fund 2, a promising investment venture emerging from the success of Growth Fund 1. This episode dives into the strategic approach of moving from single property syndications to a well-structured fund model, providing a synthesis of expertise in self-storage and office industrial flex investments. Dive into the tactical deployment of capital, mark...

In Episode 11 of the AAA Storage Podcast, host Paul Bennett discusses the current market turmoil and its implications for self-storage investing. Amidst recent fluctuations in the markets, they dive into how these changes impact alternative investments, particularly focusing on self-storage facilities. Paul brings his extensive experience to explore the risks and opportunities that arise in such u...

In this enlightening episode of the AAA Storage podcast, Paul Bennett explores the nuanced world of self-storage investment with a focus on hyper-local market dynamics. We discuss the intricacies of supply and demand, emphasizing the importance of geographic specificity in self-storage performance. Tune in to discover essential strategies for evaluating local markets and the critical role of commu...

In this episode of the AAA Storage podcast, we explore how to navigate economic cycles within the self-storage industry, featuring insights from Paul Bennett. With expertise spanning several decades and economic downturns, Paul shares his experiences weathering financial storms from the 2008 crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dive into the strategies that make self-storage a resilient asset class, e...

In episode 8 of the AAA Storage Podcast, we explore the 2025 market outlook and dive into the world of passive real estate investing with special guest, Paul Shannon. Shannon, an accomplished real estate expert and co-host of the Passive Pockets podcast, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of passive investments and commercial real estate. Join hosts Brandon Giella and Paul Bennett as th...

In this episode of the AAA Storage podcast, Paul Bennett discusses the intricacies of the capital stack in real estate investing. He breaks down the components of senior debt, mezzanine debt, preferred equity, and common equity—discussing their risk profiles, returns, and why certain tranches might appeal to different investors. With decades of real estate experience, Paul provides actionable insi...

In this episode of the AAA Storage Podcast, we discuss the intricate details of real estate investing, focusing on crucial financial metrics like Cap Rates, Yield on Cost, Development Spread, and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). With expert insights from Paul Bennett, we explore how these metrics help investors evaluate properties and predict potential returns. Whether you're a seasoned investor or...

In this episode of the AAA Storage Podcast, Paul Bennett and David Luce, the VP of Operations at AAA Storage, explore the intricate details of leasing and managing self-storage facilities—topics rarely uncovered in the industry. David explains the evolution of management practices over the past decade, the role of technology in operations, and provides a comparative look at leasing up new faciliti...

In this episode of the AAA Storage Podcast, Paul Bennett takes us through the significant value to be found in investing in office and industrial-flex real estate. Paul elaborates on the synergy between self-storage facilities and office industrial flex properties, highlighting the advantages these investments bring to a diversified portfolio. This episode offers a clear insight into the diversifi...

In this episode of the AAA Storage Podcast, we discuss the future of self-storage investments with expert Paul Bennett. Explore trends shaping the industry, such as the rise of institutional influence and the impact of economic factors like interest rates and home sales activity. Listeners will gain valuable insights into why self-storage remains a resilient asset class and what to consider for fu...

In episode 2 of the AAA Storage podcast, Paul Bennett outlines the essentials of getting started with self-storage investing. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Paul Bennett shares his expertise on how high-net-worth individuals can transition from residential to commercial real estate investments. The episode provides valuable insights into the benefits of partnering with a sponsor...

In the inaugural episode of the AAA Storage Podcast, we sit down with Paul Bennett, the president of AAA Storage and managing director of Growth Fund One. We discuss the compelling reasons to invest in self-storage—a sector marked by its resilience and efficiency. Paul's extensive experience in real estate syndication offers a look into the strategic advantages and unique approaches that set AAA S...