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🎧Episode Summary:
In this episode, Wesley Deese sits down with Hannah Maruyama, co-founder of Degree Free, to explore how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are redefining higher education. The discussion centers on the growing number of young adults who are choosing alternative paths outside of traditional college—and what that means for student housing, property managers, and the broader industry. Hannah shares insights on the motivations and needs of “degree free” students, how off-campus housing can adapt to serve them, and why operators should rethink lease terms, amenities, and marketing. Together, they examine opportunities for housing providers to support this emerging demographic, from independence and community needs to career resources and flexible living models.
💡 Sponsor Spotlight: Whether you're developing a new community or acquiring an existing one, Campus Technologies delivers robust internet and IT services tailored for student housing. With nearly 25 years of experience, their high-speed wired/wireless internet, combined with managed IT services, ensures operational excellence and satisfied residents.
👉 Learn more at: https://www.campustechnologies.com
🕒 Timestamps & Topics:
00:02:59 - Details on the monthly Shop Talk webinar series, including pre-leasing data and registration
00:04:59 - Episode overview: Discussing higher ed challenges, enrollment cliff, and preparing student housing for changes
00:06:38 - Introduction to guest Hannah Maruyama and her work with Degree Free
00:09:43 - Start of Interview: Gen Z's perspective on college value, financial awareness, and lifestyle-driven decisions
00:15:06 - Hannah's Introduction, background, Degree Free's mission, and statistics on jobs requiring degrees
00:18:00 - Factors driving enrollment decline: Demographics, tuition costs, wage stagnation, and employer surveys (e.g., intelligent.com)
00:20:22 - Reference to Business Insider article on Gen Z pivoting to blue-collar jobs 00:24:01 - Potential abolishment of the Higher Education Act and Peter Thiel's comments on student loans
00:27:03 - Rebranding student housing as "new adult housing" and opportunities for underserved markets
00:28:25 -Wesley's personal story: His daughter's journey through Degree Free to phlebotomy training
00:36:37 - Housing needs for degree-free students and misconceptions about off-campus eligibility
00:43:57 - Profile of degree-free students: Life stages, local vs. relocation preferences, and lease flexibility
00:48:56 - Marketing strategies: TikTok, messaging shifts, and targeting working young adults
00:51:50 - Collaborations: Resident programming for career placement, resumes, and interviews
00:56:00 - Business implications: Enrollment cliff, property conversions, and serving non-traditional residents
00:57:46 - Plug for Degree Free's Launch program and alignment with student housing
01:03:00 - Upcoming events: Scholarships for LeaseCon TurnCon, BisNow summit, NMHC conference, and Top Golf mixer
🔗 Resources & Mentions:
Student Housing Insight: https://studenthousinginsight.com
Upcoming Industry events: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events
Shoptalk webinars: https://shoptalk.info
Degree Free Website: https://degreefree.com/
Degree Free Launch Program: https://degreefree.com/launch/
Bisnow National Student Housing Digital Summit: https://www.bisnow.com/webinar/national/student-housing/national-student-housing-digital-summit-9451?utm_source=copromo&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=studenthousinginsights_calendarlis
Hi, How Are You Project (mental health advocacy):
NMHC Student Housing Conference:
https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2025-nmhc-student-housing-conference/
LeaseCon+TurnCon Scholarship Opportunity:
Thursday Sep 04, 2025
Thursday Sep 04, 2025
🎧Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Student Housing Insight podcast SHI Ambassador and CORE Spaces’ Sr. Mgr of Sales & Stabilization, Sarah Maxson sits down with CORE Spaces’ President, Dan Goldberg, for a discussion exploring the integration of hospitality principles into student housing. Emphasizing user experience (UX), resident engagement, and innovative branding, Sarah and Dan share insights on creating memorable moments, empowering teams, and differentiating properties through thoughtful design and service. The episode also covers Sarah's background in the industry, the SHI Ambassador program, and upcoming industry events.
💡 Sponsor Spotlight: This episode is brought to you by Social Pro from Opinion, the #1 social media management platform in property management. With Social Pro, you can: Create once, publish everywhere—across all major networks Stay on brand with Canva integration, premium stock photos, and custom watermarks. Manage all DMs, comments, and mentions from one inbox Gain insights into audience growth, engagement, and top-performing posts.
👉 Learn more at http://www.opiniion.com/shi
👉 Learn more at https://opiniion.com/blog/opiniion-debuts-socialpro-and-listingspro/
🕒 Timestamps & Topics:
00:02:12 - Wesley Deese's introduction to the Student Housing Insight podcast and platform overview
00:04:05 - Introduction to Sarah Maxson and her upcoming interview with Dan Goldberg
00:05:01 - Sarah's background in student housing and her role at Core Spaces
00:08:09 - Overview of the SHI Ambassador program and its benefits
00:15:23 - Start of Sarah's interview with Dan Goldberg: Defining user experience 00:18:14 - Inspiration from hospitality leaders like Will Guidara of 11 Madison Park 00:20:36 - Personal "aha" moments in hospitality at Core Spaces (UCF van story) 00:23:14 - Behind-the-scenes story from the Peyton Manning event at University of Tennessee 00:26:52 - Intentionality in leadership and user-first mindset at Core
00:36:53 - Brand recognition surveys and the success of the Hub brand
00:37:44 - Role of social media and viral content in building the Hub brand
00:43:52 - Example of handwritten notes to parents at Penn State property
00:50:47 - Repurposing competitor spaces for better activation (e.g., wellness areas) 00:56:19 - Vulnerability in leadership and embracing diverse perspectives
00:59:58 - Anecdote of staff going above and beyond for a resident
01:06:00 - Closing thanks and praise for Sarah's contributions
01:06:06 - Outro: Wes Deese's wrap-up and thanks to Sarah
01:08:24 - Small, low-cost resident engagement ideas (e.g., chilled water, lobby ambiance)
01:13:12 - Integrating hospitality into move-in day processes
01:20:50 - Wes Deese's overview of SHI website, events, and community
🔗 Resources & Mentions:
Student Housing Insight: https://studenthousinginsight.com Upcoming industry events: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events
Shoptalk webinars: https://shoptalk.info
Core Spaces: https://corespaces.com
2026 SHI Ambassador Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckqjgiEhFuo0bz3UCudEdQ9O1b8JB3Y-1gyGKgZKQPZPFZHw/viewform
Hi, How Are You Project (mental health advocacy): https://www.hihowareyou.org/
NMHC Student Housing Conference: https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2025-nmhc-student-housing-conference/
LeaseCon+TurnCon Scholarship Opportunity: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/shi2025scholarship
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025
🎧Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Student Housing Insight Podcast, host Wes Deese is joined by ambassador Alaina Jackson (PeakMade Real Estate) for an in-depth panel discussion on how student housing professionals can better connect with Gen Z renters. The conversation explores strategies for building authentic brands, leveraging micro-influencers, simplifying messaging, and staying agile in a fast-changing marketing landscape.
Panelists Dee Jackson (Apartment 11), Jaylynd Hill (PeakMade Real Estate), and Ross Laurence (Studio and Commerce) share practical insights on: Creating urgency without being “cringey” Building authenticity into brand voice and campaigns The role of AI in marketing (and where not to use it) Using social media trends and merch to influence influencers Best practices and pitfalls to avoid when engaging Gen Z If you’re looking to elevate your property’s marketing and leasing strategies, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways.
💡 Sponsor Spotlight:
This episode is brought to you by Social Pro from Opinion, the #1 social media management platform in property management. With Social Pro, you can: Create once, publish everywhere—across all major networks Stay on brand with Canva integration, premium stock photos, and custom watermarks Manage all DMs, comments, and mentions from one inbox Gain insights into audience growth, engagement, and top-performing post, elevate your brand and engage your residents with AI-powered simplicity.
👉 Learn more at http://www.opiniion.com/shi
🕒 Timestamps & Topics:
00:00:26 – Sponsor: Social Pro from Opinion
00:02:10 – Introduction by host Wes Deese
00:04:09 – Alaina Jackson joins as co-host and ambassador spotlight
00:07:02 – Why Alaina chose this topic and her panelists
00:12:02 – Panel begins: Introducing Dee Jackson, Jaylynd Hill, and Ross Laurence
00:16:10 – Building brands that resonate with students and parents
00:20:34 – Personalizing the resident journey & keeping messaging simple
00:22:50 – Balancing AI automation with human touchpoints
00:25:50 – Using merch and lifestyle branding to influence influencers
00:27:30 – Social media trends and authentic content creation
00:29:15 – Creating urgency without being pushy or “cringe”
00:33:08 – Panelists’ biggest do’s and don’ts for marketing to Gen Z
00:40:12 – Closing reflections from Wes & Alaina + industry updates
🔗 Resources & Mentions:
SHI Events Page: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events
Student Housing Insight Platform: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/
Shop Talk (Monthly Webinar): Shoptalk.info
Student Housing Insight YouTube Channel: YouTube – Student Housing Insight
Friday Aug 01, 2025
Friday Aug 01, 2025
🎧Episode Summary
In this episode of Student Housing Insight, host Wes Deese leads a panel discussion focusing on off-campus student housing trends. Joined by industry experts Jason Taylor, KrisAnn Kizer, and Mark Miller, the panel explores leasing velocity, rental rate increases, the impact of international student enrollment, and public-private partnerships (P3s). Key topics include market-specific challenges, affordability concerns, and strategies for universities to collaborate with off-campus providers. The episode also addresses master leases, listing services like College Pads, and ways to educate students about off-campus housing options.
🕒Timestamps
00:00:21 - Sponsor Spotlight: Wes Deese introduces Campus Technologies as a key internet provider for student housing.
00:01:32 - Session Overview: Peter Blutreich introduces the off-campus housing focus and Wes Deese’s role.
00:02:42 - Student Housing Insight Background: Wes Deese explains the platform’s origins and its role in industry networking.
00:06:21 - Panel Introductions: Jason Taylor, KrisAnn Kizer, and Mark Miller share their roles and expertise.
00:07:11 - Off-Campus Housing Performance: Wes Deese presents College House data on leasing trends and regional performance.
00:10:52 - International Student Trends: Mark Miller and panelists address visa challenges and enrollment shifts.
00:15:20 - P3 Development Strategies: Jason Taylor discusses phased projects to manage uncertainty.
00:21:21 - Rental Rate Increases: Wes Deese shares College House data on 4.6% national rent growth.
00:27:58 - Affordability Concerns: Wes Deese presents survey data highlighting affordability as a top student priority.
00:35:54 - P3 Deal Trends: Wes Deese and Jason Taylor analyze deal sizes and costs from 2014 to 2023.
00:39:54 - Master Leases: KrisAnn Kizer and Mark Miller share best practices for university partnerships.
00:43:49 - Listing Services: Wes Deese and KrisAnn Kizer discuss timing and collaboration with services like College Pads.
00:46:28 - Q&A: Rent-by-Bed Trends: KrisAnn Kizer explains the shift to rent-by-bed models and utility inclusions.
00:48:02 - Q&A: Educating Students: KrisAnn Kizer and Wes Deese suggest programs like move-out sessions.
00:50:41 - Q&A: P3 Operations Trends: Mark Miller and Jason Taylor discuss operational partnerships and maintenance.
💡 Sponsor Spotlight
Campus Technologies, with nearly 25 years of expertise, provides high-speed internet and managed IT services tailored for student housing communities. Their reliable infrastructure ensures seamless connectivity for residents and property teams.
👉 Discover best practices for upgrading your property’s internet infrastructure by downloading their latest white paper at campustechnologies.com.
🔗Resources Referenced
Student Housing Insight: Platform for off-campus housing professionals to network and access industry content. shoptalk.info
College House (House Analytics): Provides real-time data on student housing leasing trends. collegehouse.com
College Pads: Listing service for off-campus student housing. collegepads.com
Apartments.com: Source of survey data on student housing priorities. apartments.com
National Multi-Housing Council: Lobbyist group providing policy updates for the apartment industry. nmhc.org
Brasfield & Dunlevy: Source of P3 deal data. No website provided in transcript.
St. Louis Fed: Referenced for rental market data verification. stlouisfed.org
Friday Jul 18, 2025
Friday Jul 18, 2025
🎧 Episode Summary: In the final installment of the Tough Talks series, SHI Ambassador John Barr sits down with Jacob Kosior, a seasoned student housing operator turned VP at Elise AI. They explore the real-world challenges of implementing AI in property management, tackle the underestimated difficulties of change management, and dig into leadership development within the student housing space. With a candid discussion full of humor, insights, and hot takes, this episode is a masterclass in staying relevant and resilient in a fast-changing industry.
🕒 Timestamps & Topics:
00:00:16 – Sponsor message from Campus Technologies
00:03:32 – John Barr’s AI concierge pilot at Dinerstein
00:06:27 – Elise AI roll-out and company-wide tech stack adoption
00:06:59 – AI skepticism to believer: anecdote from Dinerstein’s president
00:10:42 – Reactions to Google's AI-generated video demos
00:12:07 – Introducing guest Jacob Kosior and his career shift to Elise AI
00:15:50 – Jacob’s role in bridging operations with AI strategy
0:19:54 – Industry's hot take: Tech ≠ the hard part, change management
00:23:32 – Acquisitions vs. New Developments: Which is harder?
00:28:21 – Career advice: Be the first to learn the new tools
00:30:40 – Delegation, growth, and the myth of the “easy corporate job”
00:32:53 – Jacob’s reflections on growing through varied roles
00:34:41 – Outro: the glue that keeps people in Student Housing
00:38:11 – SHI Ambassador Program: why to apply
00:40:52 – Upcoming events & opportunities
💡 Sponsor Spotlight: Campus Technologies Campus Technologies is your trusted partner for delivering enterprise-grade wired and wireless internet for student housing communities. With nearly 25 years of experience, they offer fast, reliable internet and top-tier managed IT services to enhance both resident satisfaction and operational efficiency.
👉 Download their latest white paper
👉 Learn more at CampusTechnologies.com
🔗 Resources & Mentions:
Elise AI – https://eliseai.com
Shop Talk (Monthly Webinar) – https://www.shoptalk.info
Bisnow Student Housing Summit - Atlanta – https://www.bisnow.com/events/atlanta/student-housing/atlanta-student-housing-higher-education-summit-8990
National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) Student Housing Conference – https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2025-nmhc-student-housing-conference/
Hi, How Are You Project (mental health nonprofit) – https://www.hihowareyou.org
Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
📄 Episode Summary
In this episode of the Student Housing Insight Podcast, host Wesley Deese welcomes John Barr for the fourth installment of the Tough Talks series. John interviews Willie Butler, principal at Empower Property Management Consulting, a seasoned expert in the student housing industry known for his book “Releasing” and his work as a "leasing assassin." The conversation dives into the importance of returning to fundamental leasing practices, the pitfalls of over-relying on technology, and the value of humility in addressing leasing challenges. Willie shares his spicy take on the industry, emphasizing the need to focus on grassroots marketing and training to solve occupancy issues. The episode also touches on memorable turn stories, the impact of pride in decision-making, and advice for young professionals starting in the industry. Additionally, Wes highlights upcoming industry events and strategies for operators facing leasing shortfalls, including leveraging short-term rentals.
🕒 Time Stamps
- 00:01:44 – Meet Willie Butler: Empower PMC & Leasing Assassin Origins
- 00:02:43 – Background and experience with Campus Crest, launching Empower
- 00:10:04 – Interview with Willie Butler Starts
- 00:13:03 – Willie’s “Spicy Take” on the Today’s Industry”
- 00:14:00 – The case for classics: Grassroots marketing and leasing fundamentals
- 00:16:01 – Willie's magic wish: eliminating pride in the industry
- 00:19:23 – Memorable turn story: Taking the team to Cabo
- 00:21:01 – Advice to younger self: Don’t romanticize the product over process
- 00:23:56 – Final reflections on Willie’s insights
- 00:25:31 – Vector Travel & STR options for fall
- 00:28:38 – Upcoming events: Shop Talk, BIZNOW Atlanta, NMHC Topgolf Fundraiser
- 00:32:38 – Preview of next episode with Jacob Koscher
💡 Sponsor Spotlight: Campus Technologies
Whether you're developing a new community or acquiring an existing one, Campus Technologies delivers robust internet and IT services tailored for student housing. With nearly 25 years of experience, their high-speed wired/wireless internet, combined with managed IT services, ensures operational excellence and satisfied residents.
👉 Learn more or download their white paper at: www.campustechnologies.com
🔗 Referenced Links & Resources:
- Student Housing Insight Events Page – https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events
- Bisnow Student Housing Event – Atlanta, July 30 – https://www.bisnow.com/events/atlanta/student-housing/atlanta-student-housing-summit-8990
- “Hi, How Are You” Project – https://www.hihowareyou.org
- NMHC Student Housing Conference – https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2025-nmhc-student-housing-conference/
- SHI's TopGolf Mixer 2025 - https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events/2025topgolfmixer
- SHI: Vector Travel Episode - https://youtu.be/0T_mY1pyu18?feature=shared
Friday Jun 27, 2025
Friday Jun 27, 2025
🔍 Summary
In this episode of the Student Housing Insight Podcast, hosts Wesley Deese and John Barr welcome Nick Hill, COO of Up Campus, for a candid and insightful conversation as part of the Tough Talks series. With a diverse background in student housing across both U.S. and international markets, Nick shares a unique perspective on development, acquisitions, leadership, and the grit it takes to navigate tough transitions and late deliveries.
Listeners will gain a behind-the-scenes look at Nick's career journey, his take on what’s harder—acquisitions or new developments—and how challenges in delivery timelines helped shape his leadership and operational approach. The discussion also emphasizes transparency in crisis situations, advice for young professionals entering the industry, and the value of long-term relationships in student housing.
⏱️ Time Stamps
• 00:01:30 – Welcome to the podcast & Tough Talks intro
• 00:11:30 – Interview starts: Meet Nick Hill
• 00:13:05 – Industry “spicy take”: Stop hoarding data
• 00:14:28 – Acquisition vs. Development revisited
• 00:15:49 – Turn stories: From chaos to core memories
• 00:18:03 – Advice for student housing professionals
• 00:20:39 – Outro: Upcoming events: SHI x Bisnow, Shop Talk
• 00:32:38 – Preview of next episode: Willie Butler
💡 Sponsor Spotlight: Campus Technologies Whether you're developing a new community or acquiring an existing one, Campus Technologies delivers robust internet and IT services tailored for student housing. With nearly 25 years of experience, their high-speed wired/wireless internet, combined with managed IT services, ensures operational excellence and satisfied residents.
👉 Learn more or download their white paper at: www.campustechnologies.com
🔗 Referenced Links & Resources
• Student Housing Insight Events Page – https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events
• Bisnow Student Housing Event – Atlanta, July 30 – https://www.bisnow.com/events/atlanta/student-housing/atlanta-student-housing-summit-8990
• “Hi, How Are You” Project – https://www.hihowareyou.org
• NMHC Student Housing Conference – https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2025-nmhc-student-housing-conference/
• SHI's TopGolf Mixer 2025 - https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events/2025topgolfmixer
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
📌 Episode Summary: In this episode of Student Housing Insight, we sit down with Aryne Bailey, EVP of Student Housing at The Dinerstein Companies, as part of the “Tough Talk” series hosted by John Barr. Aryne opens up about her dynamic role, her take on AI and centralization in property operations, and the evolving challenges of acquisitions versus new developments. The conversation blends candid insights, industry trends, and even a hilarious turn-time mishap that perfectly illustrates the learning curve many face in student housing management. If you're an operator, vendor, or aspiring industry leader, this episode is packed with invaluable insights and relatable stories that reflect both the complexity and the community within the student housing industry.
⏱️ Episode Time Stamps:
00:00:00 – Welcome & Aryne’s hilarious “refrigerator trailer” story
00:00:28 – Sponsor spotlight: Campus Technologies
00:01:55 – Recap of the Tough Talks series and Aryne’s industry presence
00:03:38 – Overview of Shop Talk and market updates
00:04:57 – Preleasing and rental rate trends post-pandemic
00:07:45 – Impact of declining enrollment and international student policies
00:09:07 – Cyclical nature of student housing development
00:11:00 – Intro to Aryne’s interview and her leadership role
00:14:40 – Aryne on her scope of work at Dinerstein Companies
00:16:59 – Hot take: AI and centralization vs. human presence in ops
00:19:33 – Acquisitions vs. new developments: which is harder?
00:22:11 – Aryne’s best turn story – “The refrigerator incident”
00:24:29 – Career advice: “Never burn a bridge” in this tight-knit industry
00:27:08 – Wrap-up & preview of the next Tough Talks guest
00:30:33 – Announcements: BIZNOW event, Topgolf Mixer, and fundraising
💡 Sponsor Spotlight: Campus Technologies Whether you're developing a new community or acquiring an existing one, fast and reliable internet is no longer optional—it's essential. Campus Technologies brings nearly 25 years of experience delivering top-tier wired and wireless internet, as well as managed IT services specifically designed for student housing.
👉 Download their latest white paper or learn more at www.campustechnologies.com
🔗 References & Links:
Shop Talk monthly webinar: https://www.shoptalk.info
Biznow Student Housing Conference – Atlanta, July 30 More info & registration:
https://www.bisnow.com/events/atlanta/student-housing/atlanta-student-housing-summit-8990
Topgolf Mixer @ NMHC Student Housing Conference (October – Scottsdale) Details & sponsorship:
https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events/2025topgolfmixer
College Student Mental Wellness Advocacy Coalition Powered by: How Are You Foundation
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
📘 Episode Summary In this premiere episode of the Tough Talk series from Student Housing Insight, host John Barr (Director of Leasing & Innovation, The Dinerstein Companies) sits down with JT Bailey, VP and GM of Student at RealPage. Together, they dive into the nuances of AI integration in student housing, the importance of keeping human interaction at the forefront, and the irreplaceable value of site-level experience. JT reflects on his journey from leasing desks to product development at RealPage, delivers a bold “spicy take” on AI, and shares some nostalgic chaos from turn season—including flying furniture. This episode kicks off a full summer series of candid conversations with industry leaders recorded live at the Interface conference.
⏱️ Time-Stamps
00:00:00 – Introduction + Sponsor Message from Campus Technologies
00:01:30 – About Student Housing Insight & Ambassador Program
00:03:00 – Guest Intro: John Barr from Dinerstein
00:04:00 – The Innovation Role Explained
00:06:30 – Exploring Site Team Challenges & Testing New Tech
00:08:00 – Ambassador Content Creation + Tough Talks Series Concept
00:10:00 – Preview of Upcoming Interviews in the Series
00:17:00 – JT Bailey Interview Begins
00:20:00 – JT’s Role at RealPage & Focus on CRM Integration
00:22:00 – “Spicy Take” on AI in Student Housing
00:25:00 – Why Human Connection Still Matters
00:26:30 – Turn Season Nostalgia & JT’s Wildest Turn Story
00:28:00 – Advice to Young Professionals in the Industry
00:30:00 – The Power of Speaking Up & Career Exploration
00:33:00 – Reflections from Wes Deese & Preview of Next Episode
🙌 Episode Sponsor Campus Technologies For nearly 25 years, Campus Technologies has been the go-to provider for fast, reliable internet infrastructure in student housing. Their solutions go far beyond basic connectivity, offering fully managed IT services and support tailored to the unique demands of student living environments.
🖱️ Download their latest white paper or learn more at campustechnologies.com
🔗 Resources & Mentions
Student Housing Insight Ambassadors – Learn more: StudentHousingInsight.com
Shop Talk Webinars – Sign up: ShopTalk.info
BISNOW Student Housing Summits – Bisnow Events Page
Stay subscribed for more insightful, candid conversations from top voices in the student housing industry.
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
📝 Episode Summary:
In this special Lunch and Learn edition of the Student Housing Insight podcast, Wes Deese discusses the growing trend of using short-term rentals (STRs)—such as Airbnb and VRBO—as a strategy to offset vacancy in student housing. Featuring insights from Mickey Kropf of Vector Travel and Pam West of Campus Advantage, this session explores how STRs can be successfully integrated into student properties, the regulatory landscape, operational logistics, safety protocols, insurance, financial models, and ideal markets.
Whether you're new to STRs or looking to refine your implementation, this episode delivers practical advice and first-hand experiences to help student housing operators make informed decisions.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00:00 – Introduction and background on STRs in student housing
00:01:00 – Vector Travel’s role in managing student housing STRs
00:02:00 – Wes shares personal experience using STRs during high vacancy
00:03:00 – National leasing trends and challenges in 2025
00:04:00 – How Vector helped address occupancy gaps
00:05:00 – Guest introductions: Mickey Kropf and Pam West
00:06:00 – Mickey’s background and Vector’s student housing focus
00:07:00 – Pam’s experience managing STR assets with Vector
00:08:00 – What qualifies as a short-term rental legally?
00:09:00 – Midterm stays and platforms like Furnish Finder
00:10:00 – Navigating STR regulations and city-specific overlays
00:12:00 – Example: Charleston, SC regulatory framework
00:13:00 – Safety and preventing parties in STR units
00:14:00 – Noise monitoring, guest screening, and onsite team collaboration
00:15:00 – Insurance and liability for STR units
00:17:00 – Advertising STRs as an amenity to residents and families
00:18:00 – Lessons from Adobe Center in Austin, TX
00:19:00 – Operational logistics: cleaning, guest comms, and maintenance
00:21:00 – Why property teams should not DIY STR management
00:22:00 – Corporate and site-level collaboration for success
00:24:00 – Marketing to residents and their families
00:25:00 – Accounting, taxes, and financial reporting of STR income
00:27:00 – Revenue share vs. guaranteed income models
00:29:00 – Risk mitigation and flexibility in contract models
00:30:00 – Ideal student markets for STRs
00:31:00 – Real-life examples: Eugene, Missoula, Waco, and more
00:33:00 – Exit strategies and using STRs as temporary solutions
00:35:00 – Wrapping up and future SHI events
🔗 Referenced Sources & Links:
Vector Travel: https://vectorstays.com
Student Housing Insight (Events Page): https://studenthousinginsight.com/events
Charleston STR Regulations: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/shortte...
Doby Center (Adobe Center) History Episode: Previously mentioned SHI podcast episode featuring Bill Bayless
QR Code: http://www.vectorstays.com/SHI