Argus Properties Third Party Management

Serving the self storage industry since 1978

About Our Management Company

Argus Properties Inc. is a trusted management company that has been serving the self-storage industry since 1978. Argus has built a strong reputation over the decades for its commitment to providing high-quality, reliable management solutions. Over the years, Argus has managed over 1 million square feet of self storage properties.

With years of experience in the industries, Argus has developed a deep understanding of the unique needs of its clients and offers tailored self-storage management options that suit all our clients' needs.

Argus takes pride in meeting these unique needs by offering a personalized approach to customer service, ensuring that each client receives the attention they deserve. The company’s longevity in the industry is a testament to its dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction.

Each and every facility is professionally managed with the utmost efficiency in order to create the maximum return for our clients. See the entire list of services that Argus provides. Then call us to set up your free initial consultation!

Manager Training & Development

Argus Properties Third Party Management

  1. Place advertising for personnel, conduct interviews, select candidate(s) 

  2. Conduct a minimum of twenty-four hours of in-person training with manager(s) in the following areas:

  • Sales - Self-storage knowledge, telephone etiquette, sales presentation, technique & follow up procedures, routine weekly competitor research & analysis including pricing, specials and availability, customer service complaint resolution via phone or in person, insurance sales, retail sales, and sales goals established for the successful operation of the business including manager bonus incentives 

  • Collections Efforts - Routinely and persistently making appropriate “Collection/reminder” calls, texts & late letters, storage unit over locking procedures, gate access denial implementation and review, lien procedures including certified mailing, auction preparation & procedure

  • Administration - Self-storage management software operations, including lease execution, all types of payment processing, contact management data updating, gate software, and security camera operations, establishing ongoing facility lock checks  

  • Facility Maintenance & Cleaning - Effective cleaning methods for the office, property and storage units to maintain the property in presentable condition, including light janitorial and maintenance items

Management Services

Revenue Management

  1. Real time pricing through Web edition software

  2. Automatic rent increases setup through management software

  3. Discounts and promotions based on occupancy levels

  4. Weekly competition rate surveys 

Marketing

  1. Survey and review market competition 

  2. Implementation of a website, SEO provider, other related providers

  3. Review and assist clients in the design and ordering of all signage for the entire property

Day to Day Operations

  • Review managers’ weekly competitor research & analysis, including pricing, specials, and availability in order to implement the facility accordingly if needed.

  • Communicate with manager via phone, email and/or text to discuss & supervise all of the 4 training items above as needed (typically no less than once weekly).

  • Conduct regular facility visits to include scheduled and unscheduled visits to inspect the facility and review sales performance and operations with the manager.

  • Review managers’ sales performance to include review of overall leads vs closing performance based on sales results and ongoing training & monitoring to ensure sales opportunities are optimized.

  • Implement tenant rate increases - review customer rates vs. street rates and implement increases accordingly.

  • Conduct regular compliance audits - Quarterly audits to ensure policies and procedures are followed.

  • Provides customer service/complaint resolution and follows up with the manager.

  • Facilitate a quarterly sales call evaluation program – listen to and review recorded sales calls with managers.

  • Review ongoing facility lock checks.

Bookkeeping

AR and AP

  • Maintain, balance, and reconcile monthly client bank account(s)

  • Maintain and facilitate all payable and receivable transactions

Client Success Story - From RJ Self Storage

R&J Self Storage contracted with Argus Properties, Inc. to manage our self storage project in Rio Grande, New Jersey on November, 1 2012.  The property was running at 83% occupancy and had an average rental rate of $95.39. Immediately Argus implemented several new policies to better handle new and existing customers. Some of the policy changes included more frequent collections calls, addition of a sales script, tracking for leads and rentals, analysis of competitor pricing, changes to the website and monthly audits.

Argus made a consistent effort to improve our managers’ sales effectiveness. They implemented a new script for our managers and had monthly phone evaluations to confirm the script was adhered to. They set specific follow ups and tracking for all new leads as well as tracked the source of the lead. Each month these improvements helped the managers work towards improving their closing percentage each month.

Argus was constantly checking the competition and reviewing R&J Self Storage’s current pricing. Our manager had periodic discussions with the Argus team to determine the best price for the units.  As the property’s occupancy went up prices changed more frequently.

Monthly audits were conducted. Inventory and open units were checked.  Face to face training was done with the managers to continue to improve sales calls. Leases and auction paperwork were reviewed to make sure everything followed the NJ Self Storage law.

Argus Properties, Inc.’s professional staff did an excellent job in the short time they managed R&J Self Storage. The property consistently grew over the course of the 6 months until I was able to sell the property on May 15, 2013.  When the project was sold and the contract with Argus ended, revenue was running 16.8% over 2012. Occupancy had increased to 94% from 83% and the average rate increased to $98.61 from $95.39. I would recommend Argus to anyone looking to take their self storage project to the next level. 

The Experienced Argus Team

Lou Gilmore - Founder & CEO of Argus Properties

  • Developed and managed 26 self storage, small bay industrial, and other Argus real estate properties

  • Board member of Self Storage Association East Coast Region

  • Former Owner and President of Miller Buildings that provides metal buildings to the self storage industry (1988 - 2025)

  • Provided consulting advice to dozens of new entries into the self storage industry

Louis Gilmore - Partner of Mr. Storage Self Storage, Former Owner and President of Miller Buildings

  • Consultant to hundreds of self storage startups

  • Board member of the National Self Storage Association (2005 - 2011)

  • Founder and President of Pennsylvania Self Storage Association (1998 - 2008)

  • Speaker at self storage conferences and trade shows

Mike Doyle - Partner of Mr. Storage Self Storage projects, VP of Operations for Argus (1995 - present)

  • Over 30 years managing multiple self storage facilities

  • Responsible for project budgeting, maintenance, and sales performance

Dan White - Operations Manager for Argus (2006 - present)

  • Board member of Pennsylvania Self Storage Association (2016 - present)

  • Oversees day to day activities of self storage projects

  • Responsible for leasing, marketing and training

Jane - Argus Controller (2011 - present)


  • Responsible for all accounting functions for Argus