By: Victoria Kennedy
Few figures stand out as prominently as AJ Osborne, CEO of Cedar Creek Capital, which has launched its second opportunistic fund, valued at $30 million, to support its current clients and attract new and seasoned investors to the self storage space. This strategic move by the firm aims to stay proactive in acquiring fundamentally sound assets within the industry. Since its inception in 2004, Cedar Creek has observed and capitalized on the self-storage sector’s performance across various economic cycles, amassing a significant portfolio that spans eight states with over 2.5 million net rentable square feet.
With a vision grounded in innovation and a track record of success, Osborne has steered Cedar Creek Capital towards new heights, shaping the future of self storage investment.
In a recent conversation, Osborne shared insights into Cedar Creek Capital’s Fund 2 and the broader trajectory of the company. His strategic vision, coupled with a deep understanding of market dynamics, underscores Cedar Creek Capital’s commitment to excellence in self storage investment.
Universal Integration
As a leader in the industry, Osborne’s guidance has been instrumental in navigating the complexities of real estate investment, ensuring that Cedar Creek Capital remains at the forefront of innovation and success. With Fund 2 poised to redefine self-storage investment, Osborne’s leadership continues to drive the company towards unparalleled growth and prosperity.
The company’s approach, described as “universally-integrated” by Osborne, extends beyond traditional vertical integration. Cedar Creek has established itself as a comprehensive hub for investment and property support services tailored to self-storage property owners and investors. This includes the development of advanced technologies, property management software, and educational initiatives such as co-ops, real estate mastermind communities, and a self-storage podcast to support and educate the broader industry.
With a keen eye for emerging opportunities and a dedication to maximizing returns, Osborne’s strategic approach has set the stage for Cedar Creek Capital’s continued success. As Fund 2 unfolds, Osborne’s enthusiasm underscores the potential for value-added facilities to drive growth and profitability. With assets already showing signs of turnaround and expansions on the horizon, Cedar Creek Capital stands poised to capitalize on its strategic investments under Osborne’s astute leadership.
“Our big initiative is our Fund 2, which involves value-add facilities,” Osborne told us. “The huge thing to note about this is the assets have already been turning around. The fund is complete and there are two expansions available — expansions are my favorite kind of investments because it is already essentially succeeding.”
Strategic Approach
Indeed, Cedar Creek Capital’s strategic approach to investment involves identifying opportunities with inherent potential for growth.
The success of Cedar Creek Capital’s Fund 2 is emblematic of the company’s broader achievements in recent years.
Osborne reflected on the significance of recent developments, stating, “It’s been a big couple of years. Our other build project, Statesman, is just irreplaceable — on the exit of the highway — and so is Surprise. Higher interest rates have done wonders to slow down development, which has been huge for us.”
A Real Pro
Navigating the intricacies of the real estate market requires keen insight and strategic foresight.
Osborne emphasized Cedar Creek Capital’s commitment to long-term, fundamental investments, stating, “Fundamental investors love us because we’re not just cruising through, we do not flip. We put long term fundamental economics behind every decision.”
Plans for 2024
As Cedar Creek Capital looks ahead to the remainder of the year, Osborne expressed optimism tempered with a pragmatic approach. “The acquisition environment is much higher today,” he noted. “So we will be slower on acquisition this year than usual, because we want higher quality investments. We expect to have a new development ready to go soon, with 500K-million more sq ft to acquire this year.”
In summary, Cedar Creek Capital’s Fund 2 represents Osborne’s vision and the company’s dedication to excellence in real estate investment. With a focus on value-add properties and strategic expansions, Cedar Creek Capital continues to chart a course towards success in an ever-evolving market landscape.
Osborne’s shared insights provide us with a glimpse into the intricate workings of Cedar Creek Capital and the ethos driving its continued growth and success. As the company navigates the complexities of the self storage market, Osborne’s leadership remains a guiding force, ensuring Cedar Creek Capital remains at the forefront of innovation and excellence in self-storage investment, as it always seems to be.
Interested investors can apply for access to Cedar Creek Capital’s private investment portal here: https://cedar.cc/invest
About AJ Osborne
AJ Osborne is the CEO of Cedar Creek Capital and has an impressive 20 years of experience as a self-storage owner, operator, and developer. He is a founder and board member of the largest self-storage co-op, Storelocal, as well as Tenant Inc — a SaaS company supporting self-storage facility management. AJ has also written the No. 1 bestselling book on self-storage investing and hosts the top rated and listened to self-storage podcast, Self Storage Income. Accredited investors can find more information here: cedar.cc
Published By: Aize Perez
