Columbia, South Carolina · Sold
7216 Middle Street
A 10,000 sq ft multi-tenant warehouse that came with structural problems and empty space. We worked through the repairs with the seller and filled the building with tenants.
We buy self storage, and we close.
We're Paul and Nat, old friends and business partners. If you're thinking about selling, you'll work directly with us from the first call to the closing table.
We're Paul and Nat, old friends and business partners. We use our own money, with no outside investors. If you're thinking about selling, you'll deal with the two of us from the first call to the closing table.
Where we operate.
182,682square feet of storage
1,237storage units
6states
Six states and counting. We buy nationwide.
Backed with financing from
Banks and programs we've closed acquisitions with
Bank Five Nine
First National Bankof Oxford
Gulf Coast Bank
Century Next Bank
Community Trust Bank
FNB Stanton
Live Oak Bank
Seller financing
“They were always prompt with necessary documents or requests. I am very impressed with their knowledge of the business and their resourcefulness.”
“You don't know how much I appreciate working with a person who is upbeat!”
One of our on-site managers“My family had a unit with the old owner for years. They helped us transition things over after that owner sold the business.”
Randy Glover, tenantWho you'll work with.
Nat Redfern
Partner
Call (469) 620-7918 and you'll hear Nat's voice. His family has been building businesses since the 1800s. He grew up on 11 construction sites and knows how to use a hammer.
Call and you'll hear his voice. He grew up on 11 construction sites and knows how to use a hammer.
Paul Kaster
Partner
Paul is a 6th-generation Kansan who started his first business at 12, milling logs into lumber. He started and sold two businesses since, and was Kansas Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017.
A 6th-generation Kansan who started his first business at 12, milling logs into lumber.
Mía MendezAsset Manager
Marlene CamachoCustomer Support and Property Lead
Hope PiggeeFinancial Officer and CPA, Charlotte
Love letters from our customers.
What tenants have written about us on Google.
★★★★★
I talked to Mia on the phone when I rented our storage unit. She was very patient, friendly and professional. When I didn't show up when I was supposed to, she texted me. I spoke with her on the phone this morning with my explanation of our future plans and again I was treated like a good friend.
Kathy G.★★★★★
It's nice when a small business shows interest and resolves any concerns from the client. You treat your customers like family!
Liz R.★★★★★
Mia was extremely helpful when we encountered a small issue, and she worked hard to try to fix it as quickly as possible. Really Great Customer Service!!
Zach J.★★★★★
Looks like a lot of new security cameras installed recently and a sturdy gate. I like how I can access my unit 24/7. Will continue to rent space here.
Aris V.★★★★★
Very personable and accommodating. I'd recommend them.
Sheryl R.★★★★★
My family had a unit with the old owner for years. Mia helped us transition things over after that owner sold the business. We manage the family unit from a distance and she has made the transition easy.
Randy G.★★★★★
I needed a unit asap and it was 30 minutes till closing and she was so fast and so kind and professional, a 10 out of 10! Also replies back super fast!
Stephanie G.★★★★★
Mia was great! She was helpful, informative, professional and accommodating. She was even available after hours to help resolve a problem. Great people, great service!
Guy E.★★★★★
Paul was so helpful with everything. Kind and caring, calmly walked me through the whole process, which was nice because I'm a first time renter.
First-time renterDeals we've taken full circle.
We mostly buy, operate and hold for the long term. These are the few we've sold.
Topeka, Kansas · Sold
Topeka Self Storage
Our first deal: a storage facility and a warehouse building. Closed on time with no seller concessions, and the seller still sends us holiday cards.
A note from the founders.
Who we are, and why we buy the way we do.
Dear owner,
In November 2021, we bought our first storage facility. It was in Kansas, we paid for it with our own money, and we closed on time. We had no track record to show the seller, so our word was all we could offer. He still sends us holiday cards.
We're old friends. Paul started his first business at 12, milling logs into lumber, and was later named Kansas Young Entrepreneur of the Year. He's a sixth-generation Kansan who has started and sold two businesses, and he still likes getting his hands dirty. Nat's family has been building businesses since the 1800s. He lived on 11 construction sites growing up, went on to help build technology products for millions of people, and still knows how to use a hammer.
The name throws people off. The Hearth Fund sounds like a private equity firm, but it's just the two of us. We don't take money from outside investors, so there's no one above us who can change the deal after we've shaken hands.
We've learned a few things since then. A storage facility is usually a big piece of someone's life. Some owners built theirs over three decades. Others inherited one from their parents and never asked for it. Either way, selling it shouldn't be the hardest part.
We've also learned that you find out who a buyer is after the contract is signed, because something always goes wrong. In Louisiana, another buyer had just fallen through, and we stepped in and closed before the new year. In Tennessee, rents fell after we went under contract, and we closed anyway.
“You don't know how much I appreciate working with a person who is upbeat!”
A text from a facility manager who stayed on after we bought
We buy self storage and we look after it. Today that's 1,237 units across six states. When a plain sale doesn't fit, we look for something that does. One owner inherited a facility and wanted to get back to his own business. We bought it with seller financing, and he now earns nearly what it paid him when he ran it, with none of the work.
Another seller retired and now spends more time with his grandkids. That's the ending we hope for on every deal.
If you're thinking about selling, even if it's a year or two off, call Nat at (469) 620-7918. You'll hear his voice on the other end. There's nothing to sign, and it costs you nothing.
Sincerely,
Paul KasterPartner
Nat RedfernPartner
Know an owner?
Most of our deals start with an introduction.
If you know someone who's owned a storage facility for a long time and is thinking about what comes next, put us in touch.