When selling your home and moving into another, you may find yourself needing temporary storage solutions, especially if that new home you bought cross-country in Annapolis, MD, doesn’t close for a few more weeks — or if the sale fell through at the last moment and you’re back to square one. Here are some temporary storage options that sellers — and renters — can consider when their new living quarters aren’t quite ready.
Portable storage units
These arguably have become the most popular option for temporary storage. While you’re organizing your move and decluttering, just load up your belongings in a portable unit, also known as a pod, that has already been delivered to your driveway. Take up to several days to pack the unit, then call the storage company to get it hauled away to whatever destination you want. That destination could be your new home — or, if you’re in temporary quarters until you find a new home, the storage or moving company will store the pod for you. Then, once you are finally settled in at your new place, give the company another call and ask it to deliver your stuff.
Estimated cost: It varies, of course, but pod rental generally runs about $230 monthly for an 8-by-8-by-12-foot unit.
Self-storage units
You could say self-storage units have risen to fame in recent years: Quite a few reality shows feature bidding wars for abandoned units (seems like we all have stuff we hold on to longer than we should). Also known as drive-up storage units, they remain a chief source for temporary storage. An estimated 49,000 businesses in the U.S. rent self-storage units, according to the Self Storage Association, and they offer an estimated 2 billion square feet of storage space. Sizes range from about equal to a walk-in closet (10 by 5 feet) to the size of a two-car garage (20 by 20 feet). Often windowless with a roll-up opening door, they are popular for such items as furniture, sports equipment, seasonal items, and boxes of miscellaneous items that aren’t temperature-sensitive.
Estimated cost: $95 to $155 per month for a 10-by-20-foot unit.
Indoor storage units
Temperature-controlled, indoor storage units are ideal for those who collect art, antiques, or photographs, or those who want to store large appliances, which might be susceptible to dust, humidity, or pests, in a more controlled environment. They’re sometimes located in a multilevel building, with camera-monitored hallways for extra security, so you may need to use an elevator and have an extra set of keys to get to your rented space and belongings.
Estimated cost: $170 to $180 per month for a 10-by-20-foot unit.
Outdoor storage
Need to keep storing your boat somewhere while you’re on the move? This is a more affordable option to consider, not only for boats but also for cars, RVs, motorcycles, trailers, or trucks. It’s essentially a reserved parking spot in a secure area for your rides and toys.
Estimated cost: Varies, depending on location and features, such as RV accommodations, but generally runs from $35 to $80 per month.
