SVP of SafeGuard Storage talks the downside of a historically long economic climb.

I sit down with Stan Bonilla, Senior Vice President of Asset Management and Development at Safeguard Self Storage, for a deep dive into the institutional side of the business . Stan brings decades of experience to the table, and in this episode, he pulls back the curtain on how a privately held REIT managed by Morgan Stanley navigates a turbulent 2026 market . We discuss Safeguard's recent pivot from ground-up development to aggressive acquisitions and why their all-cash buying power allows them to close multi-million dollar deals in under three weeks . Stan also provides a sobering look at the legislative climate in New York and the SSA's vital role in protecting owners from rent control and over-regulation . Key Takeaways from this Episode: Economics 101: Why the current decline in rates is management-driven and necessary for absorbing oversupply . Institutional Flow: A case study on why merchant developers are selling portfolios to aggregators like Carlyle, who then flip to REITs . Predictable Rates: Why "stable" interest rates are more important than "low" rates for getting deals to pencil . The Merchant Risk: Why 3rd party management platforms can sometimes encourage risky developments just to capture fees . A Higher Calling: Stan's journey back to his faith and why the "Five Solas" form the foundation of his life and leadership . Whether you are a developer looking for a deal-closer or an operator trying to understand where the "green shoots" are appearing in 2026, Stan the Man's insights are essential . Connect with Stan Bonilla: Email: [email protected] Website: https://safeguardit.com Connect with Thaddeus Campbell: Website: https://s3.partners/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsthadcampbell/ This episode was brought to you by: https://kiwiconstruction.com/