One of the safer, cash-flow producers in tough economic times is ownership of self-storage facilities for small-scale investors. There are more than 52,000 nationwide. But the industry racks up $20 billion a year in sales, according to Self Storage Association, the major trade group in the field, and people always need a place to keep their extra “stuff.”

Better yet, many centers generate positive cash flows even with unit vacancy rates above 30 percent, so small-scale local investors who have a knack for management and marketing can often do well – even in a down economy. One strategy with self-storage is to buy existing facilities in the $2 million and up range that have significant potential for growth in value by boosting rental revenues and occupancy rates through intensive management oversight and modest fix-ups.

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