I'M ON THE ROAD, BUT WHERE DO I PARK THE DARN THING?

Implications: 1. Boomers are hitting the highways in luxuriously appointed motor homes and coaches that tip the scales at $400k; meanwhile smaller RVs, boats of all sizes, and classic cars are in great demand.  But  these vehicles can't stay on the road nonstop.

2. Frequently, they're pulled onto gravel-covered  rental storage lots that are surrounded by chain-link fencing. Beautiful finishes are exposed to weather, varmints, and vandals. The rental rates often increase annually.

3. Communities are increasingly tough on RV owners; no one wants driveways, lawns, and streets cluttered with big, beautiful toys. So, where do we turn?

4. Focus groups and consumer satisfaction surveys clearly tell us rental storage--a $19 billion industry in 2005--is generally unsatisfactory.

Analysis: The new news is personally owned storage. Storage condominiums are selling like hot cakes in Colorado, Arizona, California, Florida, and in other markets on the east and west coasts.

A storage condominium generally ranges in size from 300 to 1200 square feet, versus traditional rental storage "lockers" which are rarely larger than 300 square feet. To accommodate RVs and boats, garage doors are 15 feet high with ceilings as high as 20 plus feet. Amenities in these climate-controlled units include open- floor plans, telephone and cable hook-ups, dump stations, restrooms, heat, water, 24/7 access, and state-of-the-art security.

Sounds great--how much? Milestone storage condos, the first offered in St. Louis, MO, are priced at approximately $100 a square foot. Units sell from $30K-$120K. Over time, the cost of owning is significantly less than renting.

Owned storage is a significant new development about which we'll keep readers informed.