All Episodes

In this insightful episode of the Student Housing Insight Podcast, host Wesley Deese and guest Alexis Krisay, founder of Serendipit Consulting, tackle a critical topic: how leasing teams can better engage with prospects. Drawing from experiences that student residents described at the recent LeaseCon+TurnCon event, Wesley and Alexis discuss why strong interpersonal connections are crucial to creating memorable leasing experiences and how the industry can overcome challenges in training staff for relationship-driven sales. Hear real feedback from a student panel about their leasing experiences—some surprising, others disappointing—and gain actionable tips for transforming leasing agents into dynamic, customer-focused professionals. Alexis also shares her expertise on role-playing exercises, using DISC assessments, and fostering rapport to improve sales performance and resident satisfaction.
Sponsor Spotlight: This episode is proudly sponsored by The Guarantors. Their Rent Coverage product not only ensures quick recovery of lost rent but also simplifies the leasing process by eliminating the need for parental guarantors. Find out how The Guarantors can help you reduce risk and increase lease conversions. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3WmNsqa
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Learn more about the Student Housing Insight platform: www.studenthousinginsight.com
Register for Shop Talk webinars: www.shoptalk.info

In this episode of the Student Housing Insight Podcast, host Wesley dives into a critical topic for student housing professionals as the winter months approach: preparing properties for freezing temperatures and mitigating the risks associated with winter weather.
Joined by experts Lance Lemoine from Lemoine Disaster Services and Jonathan Epstein from Salamander Reservoir, this episode offers a comprehensive guide to both proactive and reactive strategies for winter preparedness. Key topics include: Preventative Maintenance: Best practices for winterizing properties, inspecting fire sprinkler systems, and maintaining HVAC systems to prevent costly disasters. Innovative Solutions: Jonathan introduces the Salamander Reservoir, a groundbreaking IoT-based tool for preventing pipe freeze failures and ensuring fire sprinkler systems remain operational. Reactive Strategies: Lance shares insights on handling winter disasters efficiently, the importance of master service agreements, and how restoration companies can advocate for property managers during insurance claims. Industry Checklists: Wesley reviews a detailed winter maintenance checklist covering life safety, mechanical systems, roofing, and plumbing to help you stay ahead of winter challenges. The episode is packed with actionable advice and personal anecdotes, including real-world examples of property damage caused by extreme weather and how proactive measures can save time, money, and tenant disruptions. Whether you’re a property manager, owner-operator, or vendor in the student housing industry, this episode is your go-to resource for navigating winter challenges with confidence.
This episode is sponsored by TheGuarantors. To find out more about how they can help your property approve more prospect and help eliminate bad debt, visit their website at: https://bit.ly/3WmNsqa
Links Mentioned: Student Housing Insight: www.StudentHousingInsight.com  ShopTalk: www.ShopTalk.info Salamander Reservoir: www.GetSalamander.com  Lemoine Disaster Services: https://1lemoine.com/ 
Connect with our guests on LinkedIn for more insights or email them: Lance Lemoine: Disaster Recovery Specialist - Lance.Lemoine@1lemoine.com
Jonathan Epstein: Co-Founder, Salamander Reservoir - je@jtjtech.com
 

In this episode, we dive into the student housing crisis in California, exploring the challenges faced by developers and students alike. Wesley speaks with Riaz Taplin, founder of Riaz Capital, about his innovative solutions to address affordability while leveraging art and thoughtful design. From regulatory hurdles to creative development strategies, this episode offers insights for anyone interested in student housing or California's real estate landscape.
💡 What You'll Learn:
The current state of California’s student housing crisis.How regulatory frameworks like the California Density Bonus and SB 330 aid in development.Insights into Riaz Capital’s projects, including affordable student housing developments in Berkeley and beyond.The role of art and design in enhancing student living spaces.Practical advice for developers looking to navigate California’s complex real estate market.📌 Referenced Links:
Learn more about Student Housing Insight: studenthousinginsight.comSubscribe to Shop Talk webinars: shoptalk.infoExplore Riaz Capital’s work: riazcapital.com📅 Upcoming Events:
Shop Talk Webinar: December 19th – Register now!LeaseCon/TurnCon Panel Discussion: Hosted by Wesley Dees on December 10th.💬 Join the Conversation:Have thoughts on this episode or the student housing crisis? Share them in the SHI Community Forum: studenthousinginsight.com/community
📢 Follow Us:Stay updated on the latest trends in student housing by subscribing and following SHI across platforms.
🔔 Subscribe & Engage:Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment on this episode. Let us know what you think and what topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes!

In this episode, we’re diving into a crucial and timely conversation about the current political landscape and what it means for the student housing industry. With a new administration on the horizon and the balance of power in Congress shifting, the regulatory and legislative landscape is poised for change.
Joining us is Dave Borzos from NMHC, who provides a deep dive into the potential impacts on student housing—from capital markets and agency appointments to deregulation, immigration, and federal policies. We’ll also explore critical issues like the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the fate of bulk internet agreements, and how tax and economic policies might influence the industry in the months to come.
If you’re a student housing professional navigating today’s uncertainties, this episode is packed with insights to help you stay informed and prepared. So grab your notebook, and let’s jump in!
00:00 - Teaser
00:14 - Sponsor - TheGuarantors
01:49 - Intro
07:40 - Conversation with Dave Borsos
30:43 - Outro
This episode is sponsored by TheGuarantors. To find out more about how they can help your property approve more prospect and help eliminate bad debt, visit their website at: https://bit.ly/3WmNsqa
Have comments or suggestions? Email us at Contact@StudentHousingInsight.com
Make sure you are registered to receive invites for ShopTalk, the monthly webinar covering all things regarding student housing operations. Register at www.ShopTalk.info
Join the SHI Community and check out our upcoming events by going to www.StudentHousingInsight.com

In this episode, host Wesley Deese welcomes special co-host Alex Rippy, VP of Leasing and Systems at GMH Communities, to discuss to discuss how the kick-off of the '25 Pre-leasing season is going for the U.S. student housing industry. They also review October's ShopTalk panel on pre-leasing and what the early data is showing.  Topics include market insights on leasing velocity, and rent growth expectations. Rippy shares strategies for optimizing rate achievement in diverse markets, and the impact of fluctuating student enrollment, particularly for commuter-heavy regions. They also discuss the recent FAFSA complications and recent reports around a large decrease in this year's freshman cohort. The episode wraps with a look at the LeaseCon+TurnCon conference and a preview of the ShopTalk Executive Summit.
0:00:00 - Preview
0:00:23 - Ad Spot (TheGuarantors)
0:02:05 - Intro
0:11:37 - Alex's student housing journey
0:25:42 - Rental rates are still on the rise
0:30:26 - October 17th ShopTalk panel on pre-leasing
1:04:59 - Outro
1:05:58 - LeaseCon+TurnCon preview
1:11:38 - ShopTalk Executive Summit preview
 
 
This episode is sponsored by TheGuarantors.  To find out more about how they can help your property approve more prospect and help eliminate bad debt, visit their website at: https://bit.ly/3WmNsqa
Have comments or suggestions?  Email us at Contact@StudentHousingInsight.com
Make sure you are registered to receive invites for ShopTalk, the monthly webinar covering all things regarding student housing operations.  Register at www.ShopTalk.info 
Join the SHI Community and check out our upcoming events by going to www.StudentHousingInsight.com 

In this special "Behind the Biz" episode of the Student Housing Insight podcast, host Wesley Deese chats with Danny Soule from Zego to explore how the company is bringing innovation to utility management in student housing. From their origins in payment processing to their recent work with American Campus Communities (ACC), Zego has developed a robust platform that helps operators reduce utility costs and improve efficiency. Learn how Zego’s utility management services streamline the move-in/move-out process, enhance ESG reporting, and ensure no money is left on the table. Plus, discover why their competitive pricing could boost your NOI without sacrificing service. Wesley and Danny also discuss key industry challenges and the surprising mistakes student housing operators often make with utility management. Tune in for valuable insights and actionable takeaways!
Referenced Links:
Zego: www.Zego.com/SHI
White Paper - The Ultimate Guide to Turn Season Utility Management
ShopTalk: www.ShopTalk.info
SHI Website: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/ 
Upcoming SHI Events: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events 
Email us: contact@StudentHousingInsight.com

In this episode, Wes sits down with Whitney Kidd of Iris Technologies, and SHI Ambassador, Mike Kivitz from The Preiss Co., to have a frank discussion on what's ahead for the student housing industry as it relates to prop-tech.  We cover everything from property management systems and smart locks to AI.
 
This episode is sponsored by TheGuarantors.  To find out more about how they can help your property approve more prospect and help eliminate bad debt, visit their website at: https://bit.ly/3WmNsqa
Have comments or suggestions?  Email us at Contact@StudentHousingInsight.com
Make sure you are registered to receive invites for ShopTalk, the monthly webinar covering all things regarding student housing operations.  Register at www.ShopTalk.info 
Join the SHI Community by going to www.StudentHousingInsight.com 

In this podcast episode, Wes lays out all of the student housing conferences that are being hosted this fall and provides insights from a few of the organizers.
This episode is sponsored by TheGuarantors.  To find out more about how they can help your property approve more prospect and help eliminate bad debt, visit their website at: https://bit.ly/3WmNsqa
Links: Student Housing Insight: www.StudentHousingInsight.com ShopTalk Webinar: www.ShopTalk.info IMN Student Housing 360: https://events.imn.org/event/0df79910... FHA Conference: https://www.fraternalhousing.org/2024... NMHC Student Housing Conference: https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calenda... NMHC's OpTech Conference & Expo: https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calenda... Bisnow's Student Housing and Higher Ed Development Summit: https://www.bisnow.com/events/philade... Discount Code: Check back. Bisnow has not provided it yet. LeasCon+TurnCon: https://interfaceconferencegroup.com/ Our Email: Contact@StudentHousingInsight.com

In this episode of the Student Housing Insight podcast, Wes interviews two operators who manage large portfolios in a single or regional market to hear their perspective on what it is like to manage a scattered site portfolio that covers everything from modern purpose-built student housing to single-family homes. Aaron Harris Kirby is the Market President at Point West Management by Granite in Blacksburg VA and Cole Oraham is the Director of Operations at Tiger Properties in Clemson SC. Their companies have been thriving for decades in their respective markets. Find out what it takes to manage a scattered site student housing portfolio and the challenges that make these operators elite.
0:00:00 - Teaser
0:00:25 - TheGuarantors
0:02:04 - Intro
0:12:31 - Interview
1:01:41 - Outro
The episode is sponsored by TheGuarantors. Find out how they can help you approve more prospects and help eliminate bad debt. Click here for more info: https://bit.ly/3WmNsqa
More info on
Student Housing Insight: www.StudentHousingInsight.com
ShopTalk - The monthly webinar for the US Off-Campus Student Housing industry: www.ShopTalk.info
Contact info
SHI: contact@StudentHousingInsight.com
Aaron Harris Kirby: aharris@pointewestmanagement.com
Cole Oraham: cole@tiger-properties.com

In this episode of the Student Housing Insight podcast, SHI Ambassador, Terrence Jackson shares tips for site staff on how to finish out the summer without losing focus on leasing and operations.
00:00 - Teaser
00:21 - Sponsor's Ad
01:55 - Intro
08:27 - Summer Slide
17:20 - Outro
This episode is sponsored by TheGuarantors. For more information on how TheGuarantors can help approve more student renters and help eliminate bad debt, visit them at https://bit.ly/3WmNsqa
Links mentioned in this podcast:
More info on Student Housing Insight: www.StudentHousingInsight.com
ShopTalk - The monthly webinar for the US Off-Campus Student Housing industry: www.ShopTalk.info
Follow Terence Jackson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terence-jackson-88a65321/
Contact SHI or email Wes: contact@StudentHousingInsight.com

There are only a couple of events each year in the off-campus student housing industry that bring all of the industry leaders together. The premiere event for the industry is the Interface Student Housing Conference in Austin, TX. 
Student Housing Insight took the opportunity to sit down with several industry executives to discuss their thoughts on the future of the industry and the challenges that lay ahead.
So buckle up for some amazing insight.  This is Student Housing Insight’s “Future of Student Housing” episode.
This episode is sponsored by TheGuarantors.  For more information on how TheGuarantors can help eliminate bad debt and increase occupancy, go to https://bit.ly/3WmNsqa 

In this episode, Wes & Gretta dissect what may be behind the recent dip in YOY preleasing velocity in the US market.  Is it related to the FAFSA delays?  Is it pushback on recent rental rate increases?  Is there an enrollment decline ahead?  
Included in this episode is a recorded session from April 11th's ShopTalk that also dove into the questions around negative YOY preleasing velocity.  The session panelists included Charlie Matthews from College House, Stacey Lecocke of Asset Management, Ben Modleski of Core Spaces, and Zach Newman from Greystar.
This episode is sponsored by TheGuarantors.  For more information on how TheGuarantors can help eliminate bad debt and increase occupancy, go to https://bit.ly/3WmNsqa 
For information or questions about Student Housing Insight, email us at contact@StudentHousingInsight.com.
To register for ShopTalk, the monthly webinar for student housing operators, go to www.ShopTalk.info
 

In this episode, Wes shares a conversation from March's ShopTalk regarding the current status of P3 student housing.  Joining the conversation is Jason Taylor of The Annex Group, Brad Shaw from Greystar, and Jeremy Doss of Rise.
This episode is sponsored by The Guarantors.  For more information on how The Guarantors can minimize bad debt for your property or portfolio, go to https://bit.ly/3WmNsqa 
Register to receive calendar invites for ShopTalk, go to www.ShopTalk.info
Questions, job posts, or want to meet at Interface?  email us at contact@StudentHousingInsight.com 

Imagine a world in which student housing properties don't have to rely on parental guarantors to approve an application or have to go after a parent if their student defaults.  That is exactly the type of world The Guarantors are creating for their student housing clients.
In this episode, Wes sits down with Aaron Victorson & Micah Hollingsworth to discuss how The Guarantors are making life easier for student housing operators while making the assets they manage more profitable through their risk management solutions.
Want more info on The Guarantors, go to https://bit.ly/3y9K0VN 
Have questions for Student Housing Insight, email us at contact@StudentHousingInsight.com
Find out more info about SHI at www.StudentHousingInsight.com
 

Are your student housing properties ready for Turn 2024?  Is this your first Turn as a manager or supervisor?  Then this is the perfect episode to get you and your team ready for this summer.  Mat Windsor from The Turn Company joins Wes as a special guest co-host to talk about some of the external influences that may impact Turn this summer and then Wes sits down with Piper Schlink, portfolio director at Cardinal Group, to discuss tips (and maybe a few tricks) to help you have a successful turn.
This episode is sponsored by Smarter Furnishings.  If you've found yourself short on furniture for this summer, email Dean Harvinson at Smarter today for a quick quote on their in-stock inventory. dean@smarterfurnishings.com 
Important Links:
www.StudentHousingInsight.com
www.ShopTalk.info