Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Want to know how Extra Space Storage grew from 60 to 4,300+ storage locations in 24 years? In episode 10 of the Inside Extra Space Storage podcast, McKall Morris and Zach Dickens, Chief Investment Officer at Extra Space Storage, dig into the acquisition strategies that built one of America's largest self storage companies.
Zach shares insights on the evolution of self storage and how data analytics drives modern acquisition decisions. Learn about his negotiation tactics that create win-win partnerships, the role of AI and technology in property evaluation, and why intellectual curiosity matters more than credentials in real estate investing. Also learn about the Extra Space Storage culture of empowerment and his prediction for how autonomous logistics will reshape commercial lending in the self storage industry.
Follow the podcast:
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-extra-space-storage
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6EWXGUBUXbfkF4KiEVm67B
Explore more:
Read the full episode: extraspace.com/inside-exr/podcast/s1-e10-zach-dickens-acquisitions
Investor Relations: ir.extraspace.com/overview/default.aspx
Apply to Extra Space Storage: careers.extraspace.com
Find storage facilities near you: extraspace.com/storage/facilities
00:00 About Inside Extra Space Storage Podcast
00:34 Meet Zach Dickens, CIO at Extra Space Storage
01:02 How Extra Space’s Growth Strategy Evolved
02:38 Acquisition Process from Deal Sourcing to Operations
04:16 Building Great Partnerships by Understanding the Need
05:51 What Dickens Looks for When Hiring for Extra Space Storage
07:43 The Data Advantage of 4,300+ Self Storage Facilities
09:05 How Self Storage Became a Mainstream Asset Class
12:28 Extra Space Storage Culture & the Empowerment Philosophy
16:33 Principled Negotiation & Why Reputation Is Everything
19:27 24 Years of Industry Transformation & What’s Next
23:01 Dickens’ Career Path From Russian Literature to Real Estate
About Extra Space Storage
Extra Space Storage owns and/or operates more than 4,300 self storage properties in 42 states and Washington, D.C. The company offers secure, conveniently located storage solutions for personal, business, boat, and RV needs, with more than 2.9 million units nationwide.
#InsideEXR #ExtraSpaceStorage #RealEstateInvesting
Want to know how Extra Space Storage grew from 60 to 4,300+ storage locations in 24 years? In episode 10 of the Inside Extra Space Storage podcast, McKall Morris and Zach Dickens, Chief Investment Officer at Extra Space Storage, dig into the acquisition strategies that built one of America's largest self storage companies.
Zach shares insights on the evolution of self storage and how data analytics drives modern acquisition decisions. Learn about his negotiation tactics that create win-win partnerships, the role of AI and technology in property evaluation, and why intellectual curiosity matters more than credentials in real estate investing. Also learn about the Extra Space Storage culture of empowerment and his prediction for how autonomous logistics will reshape commercial lending in the self storage industry.
Follow the podcast:
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-extra-space-storage
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6EWXGUBUXbfkF4KiEVm67B
Explore more:
Read the full episode: extraspace.com/inside-exr/podcast/s1-e10-zach-dickens-acquisitions
Investor Relations: ir.extraspace.com/overview/default.aspx
Apply to Extra Space Storage: careers.extraspace.com
Find storage facilities near you: extraspace.com/storage/facilities
00:00 About Inside Extra Space Storage Podcast
00:34 Meet Zach Dickens, CIO at Extra Space Storage
01:02 How Extra Space’s Growth Strategy Evolved
02:38 Acquisition Process from Deal Sourcing to Operations
04:16 Building Great Partnerships by Understanding the Need
05:51 What Dickens Looks for When Hiring for Extra Space Storage
07:43 The Data Advantage of 4,300+ Self Storage Facilities
09:05 How Self Storage Became a Mainstream Asset Class
12:28 Extra Space Storage Culture & the Empowerment Philosophy
16:33 Principled Negotiation & Why Reputation Is Everything
19:27 24 Years of Industry Transformation & What’s Next
23:01 Dickens’ Career Path From Russian Literature to Real Estate
About Extra Space Storage
Extra Space Storage owns and/or operates more than 4,300 self storage properties in 42 states and Washington, D.C. The company offers secure, conveniently located storage solutions for personal, business, boat, and RV needs, with more than 2.9 million units nationwide.
#InsideEXR #ExtraSpaceStorage #RealEstateInvesting
