Storage units are incredibly popular. Thousands of people use them to store belongings and keep them safe. But at the same time, countless storage units every year become abandoned, which is when they become available for the highest bidder. And gaining access to the contents of the storage unit can be incredibly lucrative if you can find the abandoned storage units for sale near your area.

But finding storage auctions can be a hassle. If you don’t know where to look, it can seem that there are no good opportunities to buy storage units nearby. But in reality, people who ask, “where are the storage unit auctions near me” almost always have options they can go to.

To help you answer the question of “how to find live storage auctions near me,” let’s go over how they work, how to find online and live auctions, how to buy storage units, what happens if you win storage unit auctions, and tips on picking up your unit.

Before we can dive into helping you find “storage auctions near me,” which is what you’re probably looking for, let’s go over the main principles of how these types of auctions of abandoned storage units work.

To figure out how to buy storage units in default, you first need to look up the most popular auction sites that you know to operate in your area. You may discover that one or another has more options for you, but you can register to multiple auction sites to get a better view of the selection that’s available.

When choosing auction sites, look into their policies and the winner fees for each auction. When you are considering a bid on a defaulted unit, you will need to calculate how much you would need to pay on top and decide if it is worth it.

Finally, when you do get a unit, carefully read the policies and rules regarding the storage location and how you should handle the storage unit. In general, try to show up on time, don’t leave stuff behind in the unit, and make sure to handle the trash in a way that is compliant with storage facility rules and regulations.

Most storage auction sites make searching for “storage auctions near me” incredibly easy. All you have to do to get started is type in a local zip code or a nearby city, and the search results should show you how many (if any) auctions are available nearby.

You can even set up notifications through email to inform you of any new listings, allowing you to always stay on top of “storage locker auctions near me” and start bidding early. You can also sort by various factors, including whether the auction is being held online or if you have to visit the site in person to bid for the storage unit.

To succeed with buying storage units, you need to know the steps and the thought process behind each phase. The first part of the process was discussed in the previous section — you can easily find auctions near you online, or call storage facilities directly and ask them if there are any storage unit auctions scheduled in the near future.

When bidding on specific units, try to get as much information as possible and analyze it closely. When bidding online, you will only have the photos to work with. For this reason, try to make out and identify as many potentially valuable items such as antiques to more accurately assess how much you could spend.

Once the auction is finished and you are the winning bidder, perform a thorough inventory of the unit and categorize them by potential value. While the most valuable items can be sold on online auctions, you can also sell cheaper items in a yard sale to make some more of the money back.

The way you approach the unit after you win an auction can play a deciding role in whether you can make storage auctions a regular stream of income. There are a few general rules that you will need to follow if you don’t want to get blacklisted by storage facilities and have more options to bid on in the future.

Here are a few of the key things to consider:

- When you win the auction, carefully read through the requirements for getting to the facility and emptying out the storage unit. You may only have as little as 24 hours to empty it, so make sure you figure out the deadline immediately.

- Remember that you will also need to clean the storage unit if you don’t want to anger the facility owners.

- You will usually need to have cash at hand at live auctions, so keep that in mind when bidding.

- Bring a padlock and a flashlight so that you can see what’s inside and lock it with your own lock.

- Think of how you’ll transport the things from the auction. A bigger car or truck is a good choice.

At this point, you should have a pretty good idea on how to figure out where to find “storage auctions near me.” So here are a few additional tips that will help you make the process more efficient and profitable:

-Start Slow. If you want to feel more comfortable with the entire process, consider going to a live auction as a spectator. It will show you that things are quite different than you might see on TV and help you prepare for when you are actually participating.

-Stick to Your Strategy. An auction can be a hectic place, so it can be easy to lose focus and get caught up in the excitement. But if you want to become successful, you need to keep your cool and stick to the plan for each auction.

-Be Extra Thorough. After you win an auction, take your flashlight and go through every box, inspecting all the items there. You don’t want to miss a box of valuables just because you were too eager to clean up the unit quickly.

Finding a storage auction in your area may seem like an overwhelming task. But, when you’re familiar with the process, it can be made much easier. If you’re willing to take a gamble on a unit, you might hit the jackpot.

Choose Boombox Storage for all your San Francisco storage needs. Our affordable, full-service storage options make the storage experience easy.

Learn more about Bay Area storage and book your storage unit now.