Data Secrets for Winning Storage Deals with Armand Aghadjanians

I sit down with Armand Aghadjanians, Director of Acquisitions at Store Here Self Storage, for his first-ever podcast appearance. Known across LinkedIn for his deep-dive research and data transparency, Armand brings an unfiltered, analytical perspective to modern real estate acquisitions. Armand shares his journey from an art history background and a role in commercial brokerage at Colliers to joining a seasoned acquisition team with decades of combined experience. We discuss the mechanics of underwriting discipline, exploring why Store Here cut their acquisition volume to a fifth of their historical average during the peak buying craze rather than stretching projections to win deals. Armand outlines his macro framework for tracking capital cycles, explains why he openly shares his investment thesis online, and breaks down the core due diligence checkpoints outlined in his new book, Self Storage Due Diligence: A Checklist for Investors. Key Takeaways From This Episode: Underwriting with Restraint: The courage required to push back capital and decline deals when market pricing disconnects from realistic operational forecasts. Macro Cycle Awareness: Why long-term investment success comes from waiting for clear opportunity windows rather than chasing every market run. The Power of Open Playbooks: How providing transparent education elevates market standards and prevents destructive pricing mistakes across the industry. Escrow Execution: The critical 75-item checklist buyers need to audit operational records, vendor contracts, and physical assets during due diligence. Family-Driven Purpose: How 4 AM mornings and a dedicated family life fuel a relentless commitment to professional excellence. Whether you are evaluating your first storage acquisition or managing an active investment pipeline, Armand's research-heavy frameworks offer an indispensable guide for navigating today's market. Connect with Thaddeus Campbell (S3 Partners): Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsthadcampbell/ Connect with Armand Aghadjanians (Store Here Self Storage) Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aghadjanians/ Get Armand's book here: https://a.co/d/0cSWxwOI Sponsor Shoutout: This episode is brought to you by Kiwi Steel. Wayne Woolsey and his team bring over 30 years of premier experience erecting structural steel for self-storage and small-bay flex developments. Visit kiwisteel.com early in your design phase to tap into three decades of construction expertise on your next ground-up build.