Do you need Tenant Insurance?

Just in case you weren't aware, storage facilities do not cover the items that you store in their buildings or on their premises. This is usually spelled out clearly in self storage leases but it's easy to miss if you are distracted or rushed during the move-in process.

Our storage facilities offer a tenant insurance policy that is set up to cover only the items that you put in storage. The company that we go through is Storsmart Insurance and you can learn about them specifically at their web-site. The basic policy is $9 per month and covers up to $2,000 in stored property but larger limits are available. It's easy to enroll and the premium is billed every month with your storage rent.

If you are wondering whether storage insurance is a good idea in your situation, following are a few things to consider.

1.  Do you have homeowners insurance? If not, you have no coverage on your stored items. You should definitely consider purchasing tenant insurance.

2. If you do have homeowners insurance, you may still want to consider purchasing tenant insurance.  Many homeowner policies cover items stored in a self storage unit. Check to make sure that yours is one of them. Even if you are covered, a tenant insurance policy gives you coverage without affecting your homeowners policy.

3. Do you have a high deductible on your homeowner's policy? With Storsmart tenant insurance, you have no deductible if a claim is filed as long as you have used a disc lock on the space. If you choose not to use a disc lock, the deductible is still only $100.

If your things are worth keeping in storage, they are probably worth insuring. Call your facility manager and ask about the policies available.

Great Self Storage Tips

Follow this link for some really good self storage tips.  Whether you are moving into a new unit or just want to organize what you already have in storage, you'll learn something here.

http://blog.sparefoot.com/1679-5-self-storage-tips-make-the-most-of-your-unit/

Recycle your Christmas Cards

Did you receive a nice stack of beautiful Christmas cards this year?

Rather than throw them away, recycle them as gift decorations and tags next Christmas!  Cut the front (picture) off the card and place it on brown paper bags or plainly wrapped gift boxes.

You can also use the picture card to cover up store logos on the bags and boxes so that you can recycle paper products you might otherwise throw away.  Write the recipient's name on the card so that the decoration doubles as a gift tag.

Add tissue paper and ribbon to match the cards.

Choose cards that fit the size of your package or cut the cards to fit.

Use several cards as a collage to cover up a large imprint on a bag or box.

Keep your eyes open throughout the year for boxes and bags to use with this recycling project.  Designate a box or tub in your storage unit to hold all the supplies until the Christmas season arrives!

Winter Motorcycle Storage

You can protect your bike for the winter by renting a small storage unit that is just the right size for a motorcycle.  A unit just for your bike will ensure that people and pets aren't passing by it frequently.  Boxes and other equipment won't be in danger of scratching your motorcycle either.

You put your own lock on the unit and no one else has access to it.  A month to month lease will leave you with no long term obligation.

At Beaver Storage in Avoca, AR we have several sizes available for motorcycle storage.  You can find more details at BeaverStorage.com or you can call our on-site manager, Ray at 479-636-9498.  Be sure to ask him about park and ride options.  You can drive to Beaver Storage and leave your car parked inside our security gate while you take a ride!  Afterwards, your bike will be safe and sound inside it's own storage unit.

You can follow Beaver Storage on Facebook and Twitter too!  Ride safe!

Rent a Storage Unit to Help Sell Your House

Beaver Storage can help sell your house!

Real Estate professionals will tell you that you need to clear out clutter from your home to make it appealing to potential buyers.  If your house looks less cluttered, buyers will be more enticed.  So how can our storage facility help?

• We have a wide variety of sizes so renting the smallest size that you possibly need will save you money.
• Our facilities are conveniently located so you can access them easily.  This means you can store items to which you need occasional access.
• You have 24/7 access to your unit when you rent from one of our facilities.
• Our leases are on a month to month basis, so you don't have a long term commitment to storage.  

If you need ideas for clearing out the clutter, we have a few listed here:

Closets will appear roomier if you clear out your seasonal clothing.  Buy a wardrobe box so that your hanging items can be easily swapped out when the weather changes.

If your 2 car garage only holds one car, pack up the extra lawn and garden tools, sporting equipment and seasonal decorations and put them in the unit.

Are your kitchen cupboards overflowing?  Pack up all the extra pots and appliances that you don't regularly use and put those in storage.  If there is space in the cupboards, the potential buyer will be able to imagine their own items in the house.  (It may be obvious, but you shouldn't store food items in a self storage unit.)

Do you have a lot of framed photographs or children's art in your house?  Wrap your more personal items with bubble wrap and store in boxes.  Keep them all together and you'll be ready to make your new house feel like your home when you move in!

If you have a boat or RV in the yard (or driveway) considering renting an outside parking space at the storage facility.  Our outside parking spaces are a great value and they are all inside our security gate.

By de-cluttering your house while it is on the market, you'll be one step ahead when it's time to move!  For more house selling tips, check out the following link:  http://blog.sparefoot.com/2909-5-home-staging-tips-to-win-buyers-votes/

List Your Boat or RV On the Beaver Storage Website!

Summer is winding down and boating and camping days are coming to a close for the season.  If you are a current customer of Beaver Storage in Avoca, AR or of Beaver Lake Storage in Eureka Springs, AR and are thinking about selling your boat or RV, you can list it for free at www.BeaverStorage.com!

All you need to do is email a picture of your rig to the facility manager along with a short description, your asking price and your contact information.  We'll post it on the Classifieds page of our website at no cost to you.

Potential buyers who view the ad will contact you directly either via telephone or email, whatever you prefer.  The facility cannot be responsible for taking calls or showing the boat or RV but you are welcome to meet your potential buyers at the facility.

If you have more questions, just call Ray in Avoca at 479-636-9498 or Mark or Faiza in Eureka Springs at 479-253-2020.  And if you are ready to post, just email your information to beaverstorage@earthlink.net or beaverlakestorage@earthlink.net.

Fruit Fly Trap

This fruit fly trap doesn't have much to do with self storage, but it works so well, I had to share it!

Fruit fly season is in full swing at my house.  If you eat and cook with fresh fruits and vegetables in Northwest Arkansas, you are doing battle with them as well!  This simple to make trap will solve your problem!

1. Form a sheet of white paper into a cone shape.  Leave the small end open no larger than the size of your pinky finger.  Tape in place.
2. Pour a small amount of wine in a quart jar (1/4 inch deep is more than adequate.)
3. Place the paper cone in the jar.  Be sure the bottom of the cone does not touch the wine and become saturated.
4. Place your trap in the location where you have the most fruit flies.  Flies will be attracted to the bright white paper and the smell of the wine.  When they make their way down through the cone they won't be able to find their way back out and will eventually drown in the liquid.

I think that apple cider vinegar might work as well, but I haven't tried that yet.  Let me know how this tip works for you!