Self-Storage Property Loans

Q: Do you offer ground-up construction for self-storage?

No—AVANA does not provide ground-up construction financing for self-storage developments at this time.

Acquire, Expand, or Refinance Your Self-Storage Facility

Finance self-storage acquisitions, expansions, refinances, and repositionings with SBA 504, bridge, and conventional loans from ~$1M to $30M. Get a soft quote in 1–2 business days.

Apply for a Loan →Schedule a Call

Row of storage units with bright red roll-up doors and gray metal and concrete exterior.

Since 2002 · $6.5B+ Funded · $1B AUM

Financing a Resilient, Cash-Flowing Asset Class

Self-storage has matured into an institutional-quality asset class — driven by household mobility, small-business storage needs, and shifting consumer behavior that spreads diversified income across many small, flexible-term tenants. AVANA structures self-storage loans for both core-plus and value-add strategies, aligned with each facility's performance and planned capital improvements.

Facility-Level Underwriting

We underwrite facility performance — supply-demand, unit mix, management, and occupancy — not just the address

Right Structure for the Strategy

SBA 504, conventional, or bridge — matched to owner-users, stabilized holds, or lease-up, from one team

Straight, Fast Answers

A soft quote in 1–2 business days from a team that actually underwrites storage deals

Three Ways to Finance a Self-Storage Deal

SBA 504 Loans

For eligible owner-users with integrated operations, SBA 504 provides high-leverage, fixed-rate financing for acquisitions, expansions, and certain refinances.

Explore SBA 504 Program →

Man working a forklift in a storage warehouse

Conventional Term Loans

Medium- to long-term loans for stabilized properties with strong occupancy and predictable cash flow, suitable for long-term holds and recapitalizations.

Explore Conventional Program →

Interior photo of a storage unit with boxes stacked on one side

Bridge Loans

Short-term loans designed for lease-up, expansions, and repositioning, including conversions of underutilized buildings into modern self-storage facilities.

Explore Bridge Program →

Key Terms & Structures

Rates and structures vary depending on loan type and borrower qualifications

Loan Sizes

Generally $1MM to $30MM, depending on facility scale, market, and program.

Terms

Bridge loans up to 3 years, potentially with extensions subject to performance.
SBA 504 and conventional loans with amortizations up to 25 years.

Leverage

Up to 75% LTV on many self-storage financings.
Up to 90% total project costs for qualifying SBA 504 structures.

Pricing

Typically indexed to CMT benchmarks with program-specific spreadsTypically indexed to SOFR, CMT, or Treasury benchmarks, plus loan-specific spreads.

What You Can Finance

Proceeds for self-storage loans may be used for

Acquire stabilized or lease-up facilities

Fund expansions (additional buildings, floors, or units) on existing sites

Refinance existing debt, including potential cash-out for qualifying purposes

Convert older facilities to modern, climate-controlled configurations

Upgrade operations through security systems, access control, software, and amenity improvements

Institutional Capital Behind Your Deal

Through the AVANA–Oaktree Private Credit Partnership, we bring institutional-grade bridge capital to experienced self-storage operators — pairing AVANA's sector underwriting with Oaktree's private-credit platform to sharpen pricing and accelerate funding on lease-up, conversion, and repositioning deals

Hotel entrance with large pillars, palm trees, and evening lighting under blue sky.

A Streamlined Process

We make financing simple, transparent, and fast from application to funding

Submit Application

Submit your application with pre-qualification documents. We’ll review and issue a soft quote within 1-2 business days

Review

We review initial documents and confirm loan structure and key terms. If the deal meets criteria, we issue a Letter of Intent with proposed terms

Approval & Terms

We complete underwriting and order third-party reports as needed. Credit team issues final approval when complete (timing can vary)

Closing & Funding

We prepare final loan documents, open escrow, and coordinate closing. Funds are released once closing requirements are met

Proven Success Stories

We’ve helped businesses across industries

Featured

$3.5M Commercial Industrial Refinance – Scottsdale, AZ

Loan Purpose:

Refinance

Asset Class:

Industrial

Loan Amount:

$3,500,000

Featured

219-Room DoubleTree Suites by Hilton — Tukwila, WA & La Mirada, CA

Loan Purpose:

Refinance

Asset Class:

Hotel

Loan Amount:

$20,400,000

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to common questions

Do you finance self-storage acquisitions or refinances?

Yes—bridge and conventional term loans are available for stabilized and value-add self-storage, including single-facility and multi-facility portfolios.

Can bridge financing support lease-up or expansion plans?

Yes—bridge loans can work well for lease-up scenarios or phased expansions, giving operators time to stabilize occupancy before moving into permanent financing.

Do you finance climate-controlled facilities, drive-up, or both?

We finance a wide mix of self-storage formats—including climate-controlled, traditional drive-up, and mixed-use—when they meet market and underwriting criteria.

How much can I borrow, and what are the terms?

Generally $1M to $30M, with bridge up to 3 years and SBA 504/conventional amortized up to 25 years; leverage up to 75% LTV, or up to 90% of project costs on qualifying SBA 504.

How fast will I hear back?

A soft quote in 1–2 business days after we review your pre-qualification documents.

Do you offer ground-up construction for self-storage?

Not at this time — this program focuses on acquisition, expansion, refinance, and repositioning of existing facilities (including conversions). If you're building from the ground up, we'll tell you straight so you're not left waiting.

Ready to Scale Your Storage Portfolio?

Ready to move your project forward? Complete a short online form to share your property details, capital needs, timing, and get a soft quote in 1–2 business days from a lender that's funded $6.5B+ since 2002.

Apply for a Loan →Schedule a Call ↗

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Our Team

About Sanat Patel

As Chief Lending Officer at AVANA Companies and Chair of the Board at AVANA Bank, Sanat Patel brings more than three decades of experience in financial services, private credit and commercial banking, with a proven track record in loan structuring, risk management, and balance sheet growth. Sanat has led strategic initiatives that connect institutional capital with entrepreneurial ambition, supporting the growth of businesses, and owners engaged in commercial real estate across the U.S. He has built and scaled lending platforms in partnership with banks and credit unions, developing tailored financial solutions that drive job creation and foster inclusive economic development.

Sanat Patel

Chief Lending Officer