How much do students actually pay for rent, and why does that number often differ from what operators think they're charging? In this episode of the Student Housing Insight Podcast, host Wesley Deese sits down with Elijah Wang-Chen, a finance student at the University of Texas at Austin and creator of RateMyRentUT, a student-built platform that brings unprecedented transparency to off-campus housing costs. Elijah shares how his own frustrating apartment search inspired him to create a crowdsourced database where students anonymously compare rents, concessions, utilities, parking costs, and overall housing experiences.

The conversation explores what student housing operators can learn from student-generated data, how pricing transparency influences leasing decisions, and why seemingly small issues like elevator reliability can have a major impact on resident satisfaction. Wes and Elijah also discuss the growing role of social media, AI-powered no-code development, and student-led innovation in shaping the future of student housing technology. Whether you're an owner, operator, marketer, or campus housing professional, this episode offers valuable insight into how today's students evaluate value, fairness, and the overall resident experience.

⏱️Timestamps:

00:00:00 Introduction and Today's Student Housing Challenge

00:03:00 Why Students and Operators Define Rent Differently

00:04:02 Meet Elijah Wang-Chen and the Story Behind Rate My Rent UT

00:06:02 Why Student Rent Transparency Matters More Than Ever

00:08:31 Growing Pressure for Pricing Transparency in Student Housing

00:10:03 Viral Street Interviews Reveal How Students Think About Rent

00:12:14 The Personal Housing Frustration That Sparked Rate My Rent

00:14:05 Discovering They Overpaid and Building a Better Solution

00:15:07 Using Viral Social Media to Collect Student Housing Data

00:17:25 How Rate My Rent UT Lets Students Compare Rent

00:20:52 Why Students Feel They Didn't Get a Good Deal

00:22:19 What Student Housing Data Reveals About Rent Trends

00:26:05 The Biggest Complaints Students Have About Their Apartments

00:28:02 Why Transparency Matters More Than Public Reviews

00:30:06 Student-Led Innovation Is Reshaping Housing Technology

00:31:39 Building the Platform with AI-Powered No-Code Tools

00:32:59 Expanding Rate My Rent Beyond the University of Texas

00:34:24 The Future of Student Housing Transparency

00:35:37 Final Takeaways and Closing Remarks

🤝Sponsor Spotlight:  Opiniion | AI-Visibility

As AI increasingly influences where prospective residents search for housing, Opiniion helps student housing operators stay visible where it matters most. Their AI Visibility platform shows how communities appear across leading AI platforms and provides a personalized action plan to improve discoverability, reputation, and online presence. In addition, Opiniion offers reputation management tools and Social Pro to simplify portfolio-wide social media management.

Learn more: https://opiniion.com/platform/ai-visi...

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode:

SHI Events Page: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com...

ShopTalk.Info: https://www.shoptalk.info/

Rate My Rent UT: https://ratemyrentut.com

Rate My Rent Instagram:   / ratemy.rent  

The Daily Texan Article: https://thedailytexan.com/2026/05/01/...

At OPTECH, the student housing industry's premier technology conference, host Wesley Deese and Tyler Holmes of PeakMade Real Estate discussed the practical innovations reshaping property operations. A major focus of their conversation was the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence—specifically the shift toward agentic AI. Rather than simply generating content, these advanced AI tools can now automate complex operational tasks and support centralized leasing teams, ultimately freeing onsite staff to focus entirely on delivering exceptional resident experiences.

Beyond the impressive demonstrations of robotics and emerging tech, Holmes emphasized that the conference's true value lies in peer collaboration and evaluating real-world use cases. He noted that successful technology adoption comes from exchanging actionable insights with fellow operators, rather than just purchasing the newest software. By learning from one another, organizations can implement proven solutions that drive operational efficiency, generate higher-quality leads, boost renewals, and elevate the overall resident experience.

⏱️Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction to the OPTECH interview series and overview of the conference's importance to the student housing industry.

00:00:18 - Sponsor message featuring Allegion's Resident Key in Wallet mobile access solution.

00:01:05 - Wes Deese welcomes Tyler Holmes of PeakMade Real Estate and asks for his overall impressions of OPTECH.

00:01:25 - Tyler explains why OPTECH is valuable for learning directly from fellow operators and understanding practical technology implementation.

00:02:00 - Discussion on moving beyond product demonstrations to real-world use cases and implementation strategies.

00:02:30 - Tyler identifies artificial intelligence as the conference's biggest trend and discusses AI-powered centralization in marketing and leasing.

00:03:05 - Conversation shifts to agentic AI and how automation can eliminate repetitive operational work while improving the resident experience.

00:03:45 - Final reflections on robotics, AI innovation, operational efficiency, lead quality, and resident satisfaction.

00:04:00 - Closing remarks and conclusion of the interview.

🤝Sponsor Spotlight:

Allegion’s Campus-to-Community Student Living solution helps bridge the gap between on-campus and off-campus student living by allowing students to use a singular mobile credential experience for seamless property access. The solution is designed to improve the resident experience while also reducing lockouts, improving turnover efficiency, and supporting stronger operational performance for property teams.
Learn more about Allegion and the Campus-to-Community Student Living solution here:
https://lp.allegion.com/student-housing.html

In this episode of the SHI News Wrap up, Host Wes Deese and Co-host Gretta Dare explores the biggest developments shaping the student housing industry, including The Scion Group's acquisition of Student Quarters, continued market consolidation, major public-private partnership (P3) projects, new development activity, and significant investment transactions. Hosts Wes Deese and Gretta Dare examine the strategic implications of these announcements while offering thoughtful commentary on leadership, organizational change, and the future direction of the industry.

The episode also covers important legislative updates surrounding the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, Build-to-Rent policy changes, Entrata's IPO filing, and broader market trends affecting owners, operators, and investors. From technology and public market transparency to housing affordability and operational strategy, this month's news roundup provides valuable context and actionable insights for professionals looking to stay informed on the latest developments in student housing.

⏱️Timestamps

00:01:14 Student Housing Insight Introduction

00:03:00 June 2026 News Wrap-Up Begins

00:03:55 Preview of Sly Brandon Interview and Nashville Recording

00:08:07 Major Industry Acquisition Discussion Begins

00:12:40 Interface Panel: Lessons from Student Housing Mergers

00:19:25 The Scion Group Acquires Student Quarters

00:30:25 How Consolidation Creates Operational and Insurance Advantages

00:35:05 Employee Transition and Integration Challenges

00:39:15 Is Scion Preparing for an IPO?

00:43:40 Maslow's Campus Communities Wins University of Washington Tacoma P3

00:45:45 Core Spaces Announces 3,500-Bed University of Illinois Expansion

00:48:45 New Mountain Capital Investment in Asset Living

00:50:40 Housing Legislation and Build-to-Rent Policy Update

00:57:10 Entrata Files for an IPO 01:00:35 What Going Public Could Mean for Entrata Customers

01:10:45 AI Surveillance Cameras Raise Privacy Questions on College Campuses

01:12:11 Closing Remarks

🤝Sponsor Spotlight: Allegion’s Campus-to-Community Student Living solution helps bridge the gap between on-campus and off-campus student living by allowing students to use a singular mobile credential experience for seamless property access. The solution is designed to improve the resident experience while also reducing lockouts, improving turnover efficiency, and supporting stronger operational performance for property teams.

Learn more about Allegion and the Campus-to-Community Student Living solution here: https://lp.allegion.com/student-housing.html

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode

ShopTalk: https://www.shoptalk.info/

Scion Group's Acquisition of Student Quarter/Industry Consolidation in Student Housing:: https://therealdeal.com/national/2026/06/11/scion-group-makes-1-5b-student-housing-bet/

Impact of Mergers and Acquisitions on Employees: https://therealdeal.com/national/2026/06/11/scion-group-makes-1-5b-student-housing-bet

Core Spaces' 3,500-Bed Expansion Near the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/06/02/maslows-campus-communities-uw-tacoma-housing.html?__cf_chl_f_tk=hcDXtaA5bvwupodjYrHtYVJr8zdJA.WfCLZ.5LW4lVw-1783023755-1.0.1.1-yl6GcZslH41H48fQPqA0uqnw3sr9NbIy4sk.lOHzBEg

New Mountain Capital's Acquisition of Asset Living

https://news.studenthousingdaily.com/p/june-11-2026-the-scion-group-to-acquire-student-quarters

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act:
https://financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=411172

Build-to-Rent(BTR) Legislation and Its Impact on Student Housing: https://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/knowledge-hub/news/senate-passes-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-now-across-the-finish-line

Luxury Student Housing Reshapes College Towns:

https://finance-commerce.com/2026/06/luxury-student-housing-college-town-affordability/

Recorded live from the OPTECH conference floor, host Wes Deese sits down with Scott Manning, SVP of Operations at Article Student Living, to discuss his key takeaways from this year's conference. With more than 23 years of experience in student housing and nearly a decade at Article Student Living, Scott shares how OPTECH provides a valuable opportunity to evaluate vendors, explore emerging technologies, and support the company's ongoing RFP process.

The conversation covers the growing role of AI, virtual tours, and technology integrations across property operations, as well as the importance of maintaining strong vendor partnerships. Scott also discusses an unexpected operational challenge involving pest management and explains how even niche service providers are increasingly leveraging technology to improve efficiency and integration. The episode concludes with reflections on the relationships and industry connections that continue to make OPTECH a meaningful event year after year.

⏱️Episode Timestamps

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:00:20 – Scott Manning's Background

00:00:45 – Initial OPTECH Takeaways

00:01:00 – Vendor Evaluation & RFP Process

00:01:35 – Technologies Under Review

00:01:55 – Looking Beyond Traditional PropTech

00:02:10 – Pest Management Technology & Integration

00:02:40 – Surprises and Industry Reflections

00:03:00 – The Networking Value of OPTECH

00:03:25 – Closing Remarks

🤝Sponsor Spotlight:

Allegion’s Campus-to-Community Student Living solution helps bridge the gap between on-campus and off-campus student living by allowing students to use a singular mobile credential experience for seamless property access. The solution is designed to improve the resident experience while also reducing lockouts, improving turnover efficiency, and supporting stronger operational performance for property teams. Learn more about Allegion and the Campus-to-Community Student Living solution here:

https://lp.allegion.com/student-housing.html

🔗Sources & References Mentioned:

2026 OPTECH

https://rettc.org/events/optech-2026

Student Housing Insight Events Page

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

In this episode of the Student Housing Insight podcast, host Wes Deese brings together three marketing experts in a webinar style discussion to tackle what he calls "The New Marketing Playbook" — a forward-looking discussion on how the student housing industry must adapt to AI-driven search, generative engine optimization (GEO), and a rapidly evolving social media landscape. The panel explores how AI platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity are changing the way students and parents research housing, and why the vast majority of apartment brands are currently invisible in these searches. Guests share practical, zero-budget strategies — from building a Reddit presence and leveraging university journalism programs for earned media backlinks, to creating lifestyle-driven social content and establishing ownable content series. The conversation also touches on the emerging concept of "search everywhere optimization," where TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and Reddit all function as search engines that operators need to show up on.

⏱️Time Stamps:

00:00:00 — Welcome & Introduction

00:01:00 — Housekeeping & Webinar Format

00:02:00 — Upcoming Events & Industry Announcements

00:07:00 — Panel Introductions

00:09:00 — Are Students Actually Finding Properties Through AI? (Poll + Discussion)

00:14:00 — Defining SEO vs. GEO vs. AI Search

00:16:00 — AI Visibility Tools & GEO Audits

00:20:00 — Reddit as a Search & GEO Platform

00:28:00 — "Search Everywhere Optimization" & Social Content Strategy

00:34:00 — Content Formats, Longevity & YouTube Shorts

00:38:00 — Who Will Win the AI Search Race? (Gemini, ChatGPT, Perplexity)

00:40:00 — Earned Media & Backlinks for AI Visibility

00:45:00 — Pinterest & Other Platforms (Audience Q&A)

00:47:00 — Monthly Checklist for Site Managers & AI Content Prompting Tip

00:51:00 — Zero-Budget GEO Strategy Anyone Can Execute Tomorrow

00:53:00 — Predictions: Where Is AI Marketing Headed in the Next 12 Months

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode:

SHI Events Page:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

ShopTalk Website:

https://www.shoptalk.info/

10X Digital:

https://10xdigitalinc.com/

Holly Rollins’s LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyrollins/

Student Quarters: https://livesq.com/

Misty William’s LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mistyywilliams/

Reddit Marketing Playbook for Students by Misty Williams: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mistyywilliams_how-reddit-increases-ai-visibility-in-student-ugcPost-7470870736165875712-y7xW/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAADcXRUBXY6zO9_kkgWQjKBgjw7DgmoHrPc

Studio + Commerce:

https://www.studioandcommerce.com/commerce

Ross Laurence’s LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-laurence/

In this episode Host Wes Deese leads a panel of three student housing experts discussing strategies for attracting, managing, and retaining student residents — especially first-time renters. The conversation centers on the 19–21-year-old demographic, described as "adults in training with selective competence," and what that means for property management. Topics include proactive communication, move-in day best practices, international student retention, early renewal ordinances, resetting standards after management takeovers, and pitching amenity investments to ownership groups. The episode blends real-world examples with actionable tactics from operators across portfolio sizes.

⏱️Time Stamps:

00:00:00 — Introduction & Welcome

00:05:00 — Upcoming Events & Industry Calendar

00:05:50 — Sponsor Spotlight: With Me (Print With Me & Sip With Me)

00:10:50 — Setting the Stage: Who Actually Lives in Student Housing?

00:18:10 — Communication Touch points & Reducing Resident Anxiety

00:28:00 — Staff Training & Internal Communication Standards

00:28:50 — Early Renewal Ordinances — Navigating the Legal Landscape

00:33:15 — Attracting & Retaining International Students

00:40:40 — Move-In Day as the Foundation of the Resident Relationship

00:47:45 — Resetting Standards After a Management Takeover

00:53:25 — Amenity Strategy — Aligning Owner Vision with Resident Needs

00:57:20 — Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks

🤝Sponsor Spotlight:

This episode is proudly sponsored by With Me, the leading provider of fully managed, tech-enabled printing and coffee amenity solutions for multifamily and student housing communities. With Me operates two products: Print With Me, which provides residents and staff with reliable, always-stocked printers, and Sip With Me, a bean-to-cup coffee solution sourced from craft roasters that delivers a high-quality café-style experience right in your community’s common areas.

Learn more and get in touch at https://go.withme.com/student-housing

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode:

SHI Events Page: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

ShopTalk: https://www.shoptalk.info

Abby Jarvela's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-jarvela-605682a/

Zach Bishop's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-bishop-a7194b1b

Sydney Everett's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydney-p-everett

In this May 2026 wrap-up episode, host Wesley Deese and co-host Gretta Dare cover the most significant news stories, market data, and policy developments shaping the student housing industry.The episode opens with a major $910 million portfolio acquisition by Scion Group and Ares from Harrison Street, followed by a deep dive into declining international student enrollment and its downstream effects on the US student housing market. Then Wes & Gretta analyze the current pre-leasing season, which is tracking at historic lows not seen since 2015, and explore the rising tide of student-led rent transparency initiatives like Rate My Rent UT at the University of Texas. The conversation also covers Core Spaces' landmark $1.64 billion capital raise, NAHB data on student housing construction investment, emerging ESA policy changes from HUD, and the outlook for new development leasing professionals. The episode closes with a look ahead to the Apartmentalize conference in New Orleans and upcoming industry webinars.

⏱️Time Stamps

00:02:00 – Intro: Welcome, About the Platform & Shop Talk Overview

00:05:00 – Shop Talk Preview: BTR & Cottage Housing Legislation Warning

00:08:00 – Shop Talk: Mental Wellness Month / Hi How Are You Foundation

00:09:00 – NEWS: Scion Group & Ares Acquire Harrison Street's $910M Student Housing Portfolio

00:15:00 – Host Commentary on Scion Deal & International Student Reliance

00:16:00 – NEWS: International Student Enrollment Falls 20% Amid Visa Restrictions

00:21:00 – NEWS: Student Housing Emerges as Top Real Estate Investment in China (CBRE)

00:24:00 – NEWS: HUD Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Policy Shift – NYT Internal Memo

00:28:00 – NEWS: Core Spaces Capital Raise & Investor Confidence

00:31:00 – Pre-Leasing Data: Year-Over-Year Gap & Five-Year Trend Analysis

00:41:00 – NEWS: Student-Led Housing Advocacy at UT Austin / West Campus

00:47:00 – Operator Warning: Pre-Leasing Pressure Tactics & Legislative Backlash Risk

00:53:00 – Construction Spending: Private Fixed Investment in Student Housing Q1 2026

00:59:00 – Apartmentalize (NAA) Conference Discussion & Closing / Sponsor Outro

🤝Sponsor Spotlight:

Allegion’s Campus-to-Community Student Living solution helps bridge the gap between on-campus and off-campus student living by allowing students to use a singular mobile credential experience for seamless property access.

The solution is designed to improve the resident experience while also reducing lockouts, improving turnover efficiency, and supporting stronger operational performance for property teams. Learn more about Allegion and the Campus-to-Community Student Living solution here:

https://lp.allegion.com/student-housing.html

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode

Student Housing Insight – https://www.studenthousinginsight.com

ShopTalk Monthly Webinar – https://www.shoptalk.info

Student Housing Insight Events Page – https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

NMHC – National Multifamily Housing Council – https://www.nmhc.org

Walker & Dunlop – https://www.walkerdunlop.com

Hi, How Are You Foundation – https://hihowareyou.org

Pet Screening – https://www.petscreening.com

Scion Group & Ares Management Team Up to Buy $910M in Student Housing: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-20/ares-partnership-buys-910-million-us-student-housing-portfolio

Core Spaces Closes $1.64 Billion Flagship Student Housing Fund: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260513581634/en/Core-Spaces-Closes-$1.64-Billion-Flagship-Fund-Underscoring-Strong-Investor-Confidence-in-Student-Housing

Fall 2026 Preleasing Rebounds After Slow Start, Hits 68.2% in April: https://www.realpage.com/analytics/april-2026-student-housing-update/

International Student Enrollment Plummets 20% Amid Visa Restrictions - https://nomadlawyer.org/international-student-enrolment-falls-visa-restrictions-may-2026

Student-led initiatives highlight housing concerns in West Campus - https://thedailytexan.com/2026/05/01/student-led-initiatives-highlight-housing-concerns-in-west-campus/

In this combined March and April News Wrap-Up episode of the Student Housing Insight podcast, host Wes Deese and co-host Gretta Dare recap some of the biggest conversations shaping the student housing industry heading into the summer leasing season. Recorded on May 12, the episode covers insights and takeaways from Interface, national pre-leasing trends, operator sentiment around occupancy and renewals, and how different markets are responding to changing leasing timelines. The conversation also explores new student housing development activity, including the continued evolution of cottage-style communities, capital markets activity from major industry players, and broader concerns around affordability, supply, and operational strategy. Wes and Gretta also discuss industry events, networking opportunities, and the growing role of AI and technology across student housing operations.

⏱️Time Stamps

00:01:22 – Intro: Welcome to the Student Housing Insight podcast and introduction to ShopTalk and Student Housing Insight resources

00:02:36 – Why the March and April episodes were combined and discussion about the Interface conference in Austin

00:04:55 – ShopTalk Link Ups, networking events, and upcoming Raleigh and Scottsdale industry gatherings

00:09:21 – Discussion around Yardi Matrix and RealPage data trends and what operators are seeing in the market

00:10:55 – Renewals, legislative discussions, and concerns around leasing velocity in certain markets

00:11:53 – Operator sentiment and concerns heading into the summer leasing season

00:14:01 – Late leasing markets versus traditional leasing cycles and operational pressure points

00:15:55 – New cottage-style student housing developments and evolving design trends

00:20:00 – Student preferences, pets, and the appeal of lower-density housing formats

00:22:00 – Development pipeline conversations and market-by-market considerations

00:25:10 – Capital markets activity and Landmark’s major sponsor fund announcement

00:26:00 – Discussion around the scale of development pipelines among major student housing firms 00:28:45 – Operations Deep Dive: Managing Onsite Talent & Turn Challenges

00:42:10 – Legislative & Policy Updates Impacting Student Accommodations

00:55:25 – Outro & Upcoming Industry Events Preview

🤝Sponsor Spotlight

Allegion’s Resident Key in Wallet technology helps bridge the gap between on-campus and off-campus student living by allowing students to use mobile credentials for seamless property access. The technology is designed to improve the resident experience while also reducing lockouts, improving turnover efficiency, and supporting stronger operational performance for property teams.

Learn more about Allegion and Resident Key in Wallet here: https://www.allegion.com

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode

Student Housing Insight Official Website:

https://studenthousinginsight.com

ShopTalk Monthly student housing webinar and industry updates:

https://shoptalk.info

Student Housing Business Industry news and reporting referenced during the episode

https://studenthousingbusiness.com

NMHC Student Housing Conference Conference discussed during the episode:

https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2026-nmhc-student-housing-conference/

The Hi, How Are You Project Mental health nonprofit referenced in the discussion:

https://hihowareyou.org

Live from the Interface Austin, Wes Deese speaks with Jim Sholders, Bryan Shelangoski, and Chris Johnson about the challenges shaping student housing operations today. The conversation covers talent recruitment and retention, rising expectations for leadership roles, and increasing competition for maintenance staff. The panel also examines declining enrollment trends, demographic shifts, and uncertainty around international students, along with the potential impact on student housing demand. Additional topics include industry consolidation, lessons from large acquisitions, and the operational realities of managing large-scale assets, with a strong focus on leadership, emotional intelligence, and effective team-building.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:01:18 – Welcome and history of the live podcast at Interface.

00:03:27 – ShopTalk & ShopTalk Link-Up Discussion

00:08:24 – Live/Recorded Podcast at Interface Austin starts

00:09:53 – Guest introductions: Jim Sholders, Bryan Shelangoski, and Chris Johnson

00:12:54 – The state of recruiting: Roadblocks, retention challenges, and the loss of Res Life feeder systems.

00:18:01 – The evolving (and hardening) role of the Regional Manager

00:20:20 – Higher Ed Pressures: Demographic collapse, ROI of degrees, and declining birth rates.\

00:23:54 – Data & Relationships: How to get real enrollment numbers from university partners.

00:28:20 – International Enrollment: Tracking the "tailwinds" of the global student movement.

00:29:48 – Consolidation: Predictions for 2026 mergers and advice for navigating platform transitions.

00:36:44 – Maintenance Apprenticeships: A shout-out to Adrian Danila and Multifamily X.

00:39:14 – Mega-Developments: Operational differences when managing 1,000 to 3,000 beds.

00:41:21 – Leadership Skills: The importance of EQ (Emotional Intelligence) over IQ in large-scale operations.

00:45:53 – Reverse Q&A: Centralization, technology, and career recommendations.

00:49:54 – Outro/Closing remarks

💡Sponsor Spotlight: This episode is sponsored by Student Housing Mattress, powered by Jamison Bedding. They provide US-made mattresses, including the durable blue vinyl models known throughout the industry. They offer fast shipping anywhere in the lower 48 states to ensure properties are fully prepared for move-in day

Visit their website to learn more: https://studenthousingmattress.com/

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

Latitudes Newsletter (Chronicle of Higher Education) Insights on international student trends, enrollment shifts, and higher ed polic

https://www.chronicle.com/newsletter/latitudes

Multifamily X (Adrian Danila) Maintenance apprenticeship initiative + industry podcast https://multifamilyxconsulting.com

Student Housing Insight Events Page Upcoming Events and More
https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

Recorded live at Student Housing Interface Conference 2026 at Austin, Texas this episode features SHI Ambassador Courtney Colegrove leading a series of fast-paced “Tough Talks” with top voices across the student housing industry.

Through a mix of rapid-fire “this or that,” one-word reflections, and real-world scenario reactions, owner/operators and vendors share candid insights on the challenges they face daily. From staffing and culture issues to vendor reliability, leasing strategy, and operational chaos during peak seasons, this episode captures unfiltered perspectives from the field.

⏱️ Timestamps & Segments

00:00:15 – Brian Curley

00:02:08 – Greg King (Centurion Property Group)

00:03:59 – Kadi Mancuso-Rice (Tailwind Group)

00:05:40 – Rachel Rountree (University Partners)

00:07:32 – Sean Devine (CORE Spaces)

00:09:21 – Craig Meddin (Postal Solutions)

00:11:57 – Jacob Kosior (EliseAI)

00:13:50 – JT Bailey (Bailey Technology Group)

00:15:20 – Lisa Dillon (University Furnishings)

00:17:08 – Nick Amore (Iron Ledger)

00:19:29 – Yael Shemer (Tulu)

🔗 Resources & Companies Mentioned:

Centurion Property Group https://www.centurionpropertygroup.com/

Tailwind Group https://tailwindgroup.com/

University Partners https://www.universitypartners.com/

Core Spaces https://corespaces.com/

Postal Solutions https://www.postalsolutions.com/

EliseAI https://www.eliseai.com/

Bailey Technology Group https://www.baileytechnologygroup.com/

University Furnishings https://universityfurnishings.com/

Iron Ledger https://www.ironledger.com/

Tulu https://www.tulu.io/

In this episode of the Student Housing Insight Podcast, host Wesley Deese sits down with William Davis, Chief Development Officer and Managing Principal at Capstone Development Partners, and Johno Harris, Senior EVP at Lincoln Property Company. Recorded in-person in Atlanta, the conversation explores the recent acquisition of Capstone by Lincoln and what this powerful partnership means for the future of on-campus development.

The trio discusses the rapid evolution of public-private partnerships (P3s) in higher education. Moving far beyond simple dormitories, universities are now seeking massive mixed-use spaces, retail, healthcare facilities, and dynamic sports entertainment districts. They also dive into how changes like the #NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rules in college athletics are directly driving the need for premium, specialized student housing to help universities recruit top talent and create vibrant campus experiences.

⏱️Time Stamps

00:00:25 – Sponsor intro: Teal Systems and infrastructure reliability

00:02:00 – Podcast introduction and platform overview

00:09:04 – Interview Starts

00:10:30 – Guest introductions: William Davis and Johno Harris

00:15:00 - An overview of Lincoln Property Company's 60-year history and full-service approach.

00:25:33 – Shift from single-use housing to mixed-use developments

00:30:45 – Universities becoming destination ecosystems

00:32:14 – Sports and entertainment influence on campus development

00:37:13 – NIL impact on development and funding

00:39:10 – Real-world challenges student-athletes face with housing

00:48:19 – Universities stepping in as capital providers

00:55:12 – Real-world example: crypto mining in student housing

00:56:54 – Outro: Final thoughts

🤝 Sponsor Spotlight

Teal Systems This episode is brought to you by Teal Systems, a provider of managed central plant infrastructure designed specifically for #StudentHousing and multifamily developments.

Teal delivers reliable hot water, heating, and cooling through a “central plant as a service” model. Their systems are monitored 24/7 using proprietary Beacon technology, allowing issues to be identified and resolved before they impact residents. For operators and developers, this means fewer headaches, lower operational risk, and more predictable performance.

👉 Learn more: https://www.tealsystems.com

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned

Student Housing Insight: https://studenthousinginsight.com

ShopTalk: https://shoptalk.info

Capstone Development Partners: https://capdevpartners.com/

William Davis’s LinkedIn Page: https://linkedin.com/in/william-davis-883645a

Johno Harris’s LinkedIn Page: https://linkedin.com/in/johno-harris-282186255

In this episode, Wesley Deese sits down with Leah Raad, SVP of Operations, Leasing, and Asset Management at Maslow’s Campus Communities, to unpack what it really takes to build a student housing platform from the ground up. Fresh off the acquisition of Aspire San Marcos, Leah shares how Maslow’s approached launching operations with a clean slate—covering everything from selecting a property management system to defining core operating principles.

The conversation dives into the realities of modern leasing, the rapid evolution of marketing technology, and the importance of simplifying systems to empower onsite teams.

They also explore the role of AI in student housing, where Leah offers a grounded perspective: automation should enhance efficiency, not replace the human experience that defines resident satisfaction. This episode is a practical look at how experienced operators are rethinking tech, staffing, and strategy in a fast-changing landscape.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:02:10 – Intro

00:03:58 – The "Un-retirement" of an Industry Icon

00:10:09 – Leah’s background in student housing and her journey to Maslow’s.

00:12:28 – Details on Maslow's first acquisition: Aspire San Marcos at Texas State University. 00:18:40 – The "One-Stop Shop" Tech Debate

00:23:44 – The Anti-AI Manifesto

00:27:23 – Killing the Spreadsheet

00:30:01 – Outro/Closing

🤝 Sponsor Spotlight

This episode is brought to you by Opiniion – Social Pro, a social media and reputation management platform built specifically for property management teams. Social Pro allows operators to create content once and distribute it across multiple platforms, manage engagement through a unified inbox, and track performance with built-in analytics. With integrations like Canva and AI-assisted tools, it helps teams stay consistent, efficient, and on-brand across every property.

👉 Learn more and explore the platform:

https://www.opiniion.com/shi

🔗 Resources & References:

Student Housing Insight:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/

ShopTalk:

https://www.shoptalk.info/

Invite for Networking Brunch:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/contact-form

SHI Bill Bayless - Profiles in Student Housing:

https://youtu.be/EAUqyIUrtok?si=J5G9X1FJX7gAAB_N

Maslow’s Campus Communities:

https://maslowscommunities.com/

Entrata:

https://www.entrata.com/

Wes Deese and Gretta Dare wrap up all the off-campus student housing news for February 2026. They cover upcoming industry conferences and major shifts in property management, including LV Collective formally bringing their operations in-house. The hosts break down the latest pre-leasing data from Yardi Matrix, comparing it against other data sources and discussing the current dip in rent growth.

The episode also dives into critical legislative updates, highlighting the bipartisan Housing for the 21st Century Act that recently passed the House , and features an in-depth debate on a controversial new lease renewal ordinance in College Park, Maryland.

⏱️ Episode Timestamps:

00:02:09 - Welcome & Intro: An overview of the Student Housing Insight platform and the monthly Shop Talk webinar

00:02:45 - Upcoming Conferences: Previewing Interface Student Housing, Bisnow spring events, and Bonard's Canadian Student Housing Summit

00:05:35 - Industry News: The rise of "white label" management services and LV Collective launching an in-house property management platform

00:12:57 - Data & Pre-leasing: Analyzing Yardi Matrix's report showing 2026-2027 pre-leasing at 52.3% and a discussion on rent growth metrics

00:19:19 - Financial Markets: Good news from the Student Housing Business magazine about financial institutions opening money back up to the student sector

00:21:35 - Legislative Updates: Breaking down the Housing for the 21st Century Act (passed 390-9 in the House) and its implications for development

00:26:17 - Local Ordinance Debate: Deep dive into College Park, Maryland's new ordinance requiring landlords to wait 180 days before offering lease renewals

00:43:45 - Outro & Networking: Announcing the "Shop Talk Link Up" networking brunch happening at the Interface conference

💡Sponsor Spotlight:

Move-in day is stressful enough, but our partners at studenthousingmattress.com (powered by Jamison Bedding) make sure missing mattresses are never part of the problem. They offer US-made mattresses that ship quickly anywhere in the lower 48 states, featuring the durable blue vinyl models the industry knows and trusts. Stay ready for move-in and visit:

https://studenthousingmattress.com/

📎Sources & Links Mentioned

Student Housing Insight:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

Student Housing Business:

http://studenthousingbusiness.com

Yardi Matrix Student Housing Marketing Report February 2026: https://www.yardimatrix.com/blog/student-housing-market-report/

Housing Legislation — A Rare Bipartisan Moment

https://bipartisanpolicy.org/explainer/whats-in-the-housing-for-the-21st-century-act/

College ParkNews

https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/maryland/prince-georges-county/college-park-restricts-early-lease-renewal-offers-giving-renters-more-time-and-limiting-landlords/

In this spring conference preview episode of the Student Housing Insight podcast, host Wesley Deese gives a comprehensive rundown of upcoming industry events. Wes discusses the value of attending these events for networking and education, whether you are a site-level manager, a C-suite executive, or a supplier partner.

The episode features a special interview with Rich Kelley, who shares exciting details about the highly anticipated Interface Student Housing Conference in Austin, Texas. Additionally, Martin Varga joins the show to discuss the Canadian Student Housing Summit in Toronto, hosted by Bonard. Wesley also highlights upcoming regional Bisnow events and reminds listeners to utilize the SHI events page to grab exclusive registration discounts.

⏱️Episode Timestamps:

00:01:08 - Welcome and Overview of Student Housing Insight and ShopTalk.

00:02:38 - The Tradition of the Spring Conference Preview Episode.

00:08:58 - Preview of Upcoming Bisnow Student Housing Conferences.

00:14:14 - Interview with Rich Kelley Begins.

00:15:13 - Recap of the Recent LeaseCon and TurnCon.

00:17:57 - Interface Austin Details including Dates, Tech, and Agenda.

00:32:28 - Interview with Martin Varga Begins.

00:35:58 - Details on the Toronto Summit happening May 28th.

00:43:43 - Episode Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts.

💡Sponsor Spotlight:

This episode is sponsored by Student Housing Mattress, powered by Jamison Bedding.They provide US-made mattresses, including the durable blue vinyl models known throughout the industry. They offer fast shipping anywhere in the lower 48 states to ensure properties are fully prepared for move-in day.

Visit their website to learn more:

https://www.studenthousingmattress.com

📎Sources & Websites Mentioned:

Student Housing Insight Industry Events Page:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

ShopTalk Webinars:

https://www.shoptalk.info

In this month’s wrap-up, host Wes Deese and co-host Gretta Dare welcome 2026 with a breakdown of the major shifts in the student housing industry rankings. Special guest Jason Fort, EVP at Asset Living, joins the show to discuss Asset Living’s historic rise to the number one spot on the Student Housing Business Top 25 Managers list, overtaking American Campus Communities. Jason shares insights into their organic growth, the increasing trend of multifamily-to-student conversions, and the importance of operational flexibility in today's market.

The team also dives into significant development news, including Core Spaces' massive 2,352-bed "ōLiv Columbia" project and a unique hotel-to-student housing conversion Columbia, SC and a rare new dev/conversion in Manhattan by BDB Construction. Finally, Wes and Gretta analyze the latest Fall enrollment data, highlighting a surge in community college attendance and sparking a candid conversation about degree requirements for industry professionals.

⏱️Timestamps

00:00:00 – Sponsor Message: Introduction to Social Pro from Opiniion.

00:02:08 – Intro & Weather Reports: Wes and Gretta catch up on the winter storms hitting North Carolina and College Station.

00:05:00 – Top 25 Managers Rankings: Analysis of the new industry rankings and Asset Living taking the #1 spot.

00:06:40 – Guest Interview: Jason Fort of Asset Living joins to discuss their growth strategy and the shift from multifamily to student housing operations.

00:16:27 – Third-Party Management & Shared Services: A look at the Top Third-Party Managers list, Cardinal Group crossing the 100k bed threshold, and the rise of "white label" management services.

00:20:00 – Industry Consolidation: Discussion on recent mergers, including Yugo and Campus Advantage.

00:23:00 – Top 25 Owners List: Reviewing the top owners, including American Campus Communities, Scion, and the rapid growth of Core Spaces.

00:31:30 – Development News (CORE Spaces): Breakdown of the massive ōLiv Columbia project and the operational challenges of managing mega-developments.

00:43:00 – Manhattan Conversion Project: BDB Construction’s conversion of a Financial District hotel into the world’s tallest student accommodation.

00:52:00 – Enrollment Data Analysis: Insights from the National Student Clearinghouse and Chronicle of Higher Education regarding Fall 2025/2026 enrollment trends.

01:00:00 – The Degree Debate: Gretta and Wes discuss the necessity of college degrees for various roles within the student housing industry.

💡Sponsor Social Pro by Opiniion This episode is sponsored by Social Pro from Opiniion, the number one social media management platform designed specifically for property management. Social Pro allows you to create beautiful, optimized content in seconds and publish it across every major social network with just one click. From AI-powered content creation to a unified inbox for all comments and DMs, Social Pro elevates your brand and simplifies resident engagement.

Click here to learn more: https://opiniion.com/shi/

📎Sources & Links:

Student Housing Insight: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/

ShopTalk Webinars: https://www.shoptalk.info/

Student Housing Business: https://studenthousingbusiness.com/

National Student Clearinghouse:

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/students/2026/01/15/fall-enrollment-increased-1-international-students-declined

CORE Spaces: https://studenthousingbusiness.com/core-spaces-to-break-ground-on-2350-bed-mixed-use-development-near-university-of-south-carolina/

BDB Construction:

https://studenthousingbusiness.com/bdb-construction-completes-phase-i-of-student-housing-conversion-project-in-manhattans-financial-district/

In this episode, host Wesley Deese is joined by Student Housing Insight Ambassador Courtney Colegrove from Core Spaces.They discuss Courtney's journey from resident assistant to the corporate side of student housing and the inspiration behind her new content project, "SHI Talks" (a cheeky play on "Shit Talks"). Recorded on-site at LeaseCon / TurnCon 2025, the episode features a series of "man-on-the-street" style interviews.

Courtney puts vendors and operators on the spot with rapid-fire questions, revealing candid takes on everything from "last-minute approvals" vs. "last-minute cancellations" to the real villains of property management: construction delays or unrealistic timelines. Tune in for a fun, human look at the people powering the industry.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00:19 – Sponsor Message: Social Pro from Opinion

00:02:06 – Intro

00:03:38 – Meet Courtney Colegrove: From Public Health to Student Housing

00:08:00 – The "SHI Talks" Concept: Bringing humor and authenticity to industry content

00:11:40 – Vendor Interviews: Alex Bennett (Opinion)

00:14:10 – Vendor Interviews: Anthony Tuppin II (Lease Magnets)

00:17:54 – Operator Interviews: Jordan Verdean (CORE Spaces)

00:19:42 – Operator Interviews: Jake Zaino (Caliber Living)

00:21:15 – Outro

💡 Sponsors:

Opinion (Social Pro) This episode is powered by Social Pro from Opinion, the number one social media management platform designed specifically for property management. Social Pro allows teams to create, schedule, and publish optimized content across all major social networks—including Reels and stories—in just seconds. With built-in Canva integration and multi-location analytics, it simplifies how you elevate your resident engagement.

Check them out here: Visit https://opiniion.com/shi/

📎 Sources & Links Mentioned:

Student Housing Insight:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/

ShopTalk Webinars:

https://www.shoptalk.info/

Lease Magnets:

https://leasemagnets.com/

CORE Spaces:

https://corespaces.com/

Caliber Living:

https://www.caliberliving.com/

In this episode, recorded live from Lease Con / Turn Con in Charlotte, host Wesley Deese sits down with Dan Smith, co-founder of Verbaflo and host of the Housed podcast. While Dan is a familiar voice in the UK and European student housing sectors, he is making his debut in the US market with Verbaflo, an award-winning conversational AI platform designed specifically for student accommodations.

The conversation covers Dan's journey from operations and consultancy to tech entrepreneurship, driven by the need for better communication tools in the industry. Dan and Wes discuss the capabilities of Verbaflo—which supports 180 languages across voice, chat, and messaging apps—and how it achieved "PropTech of the Year" status in Europe. They also explore the company's strategy for the US market, including a risk-free pilot program designed to prove value to operators before they commit to contracts.

⏱️Timestamps & Segments

00:00:00 – Intro: The reality of speaking with AI agents.

00:03:20 – Introduction to the episode: Profiling Verbaflo.

00:06:45 – Interview begins: Welcoming Dan Smith to the US.

00:08:53 – Dan’s background: From gin distilleries to student housing operations.

00:09:50 – The origin of Verbaflo: Solving the communication problem.

00:15:30 – Operational efficiency vs. staff reduction: Enhancing the community manager role.

00:19:40 – US Expansion Strategy: The 3-month risk-free pilot program.

00:20:45 – Winning "PropTech of the Year" and managing 200,000 beds in Europe.

00:25:09 – Upcoming appearances: Interface Student Housing Conference 2026.

00:24:45 – The value of remaining an active consultant while selling tech.

00:27:30 – Contact information and the Housed podcast.

📎Resources & Links Mentioned

Verbaflo:

https://www.verbaflo.ai/

Shop Talk: https://www.shoptalk.info/

Student Housing Insight: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/

Housed – The Shared Living Podcast: Dan Smith’s weekly podcast covering the UK/European sector.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/housed-the-shared-living-podcast/id1729644031

Interface Student Housing Conference:

https://web.cvent.com/event/f7084451-7ded-4cf2-a457-54878ee006f4/websitePage:9ee6647b-278e-45b3-95bc-fdca253e1bba?environment=P2

In this episode, recorded live at the LeaseCon+TurnCon in Charlotte, host Wesley Deese moderates a candid panel with five college students about their off-campus housing experiences. The students share unfiltered feedback on the increasingly early timeline for signing leases—with some securing senior housing as early as their freshman year. The discussion covers the critical role of social media and word-of-mouth in their decision-making, often outweighing traditional marketing or AI tools. The panel also dives into the realities of move-in day, the amenities that actually matter (versus those that just look good on a tour), and the frustrations caused by poor communication and aggressive renewal tactics. This "voice of the customer" session offers essential takeaways for operators looking to improve resident satisfaction and retention.

⏱️Timestamps

00:00:00 – Intro / Cold Open: The shock of signing leases 18 months in advance.

00:00:40 – Sponsor Message: Improving resident engagement with Opiniion's Social Pro.

00:02:27 – Host Welcome: Wesley Deese sets the stage for the live student panel.

00:10:09 – Meet the Panel: Introductions from students Lydia, Erica, Dana, Kara, and Austin.

00:12:03 – The Housing Search & Timelines: From relying on word-of-mouth to signing senior leases during freshman year.

00:19:15 – Move-In Day: A look at organized check-ins versus chaotic experiences with maintenance issues.

00:33:56 – Amenities That Matter: The reality of what gets used (gyms and pools) versus marketing fluff like golf simulators.

00:36:11 – The Renewal Decision: Why students choose to leave and the annoyance of redundant renewal calls.

00:44:59 – Audience Q&A: The panel answers operator questions regarding furniture quality, the use of AI in leasing, and social media engagement.

01:03:04 – Outro: Key takeaways for operators and final thoughts.

💡Sponsor Spotlight

This episode is sponsored by Opiniion and their new Social Pro platform. Social Pro helps property teams streamline their social media management, allowing them to create consistent content, publish across multiple platforms instantly, and measure engagement without overburdening their staff.

Learn more about Social Pro: opiniion.com/shi

🔗 Resources & Links

Student Housing Insight: 

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/

Shop Talk Webinars: Register for monthly legislative updates and pre-leasing data at

https://www.shoptalk.info/

In this wrap-up episode for November and December, Wes Deese and co-host Gretta Dare take a deep dive into the busy conference season and the latest industry news. The duo recaps Wes’s experience as an "influencer" at the OpTech conference in Las Vegas, including insights on prop-tech trends and the spectacle of the Sphere. They then shift focus to a detailed breakdown of LeaseCon TurnCon, sharing takeaways from the student panel, the importance of the human element in leasing, and the ongoing staffing challenges discussed at the ShopTalk Executive Summit.

The conversation moves to critical news impacting the sector, starting with a discussion on the shifting value perception of four-year degrees based on a recent NBC poll. Wes and Gretta also tackle the FTC’s recent settlement with Greystar regarding fee transparency and analyze the latest Open Doors data showing a decline in new international student enrollment. Finally, they cover major company news, including Lincoln Property Company’s acquisition of Capstone Development Partners and updates on Yugo’s portfolio growth.

⏱️Timestamps

00:03:34 – OpTech Conference Recap: Being an "Influencer" & PropTech trends

00:10:00 – Exhibit Hall highlights: App Work’s unique booth strategy

00:15:47 – Hologram technology in conferences

00:18:00 – LeaseCon TurnCon Recap: Bringing the whole team

00:23:18 – The Student Panel: Why students still want human connection

00:34:00 – ShopTalk Executive Summit: HR and maintenance staffing challenges

00:44:50 – Debate: Where should future conferences be held? (Charlotte vs. Dallas)

00:53:50 – Industry News: NBC Poll on the declining perceived value of college degrees

01:06:00 – FTC & Greystar: The settlement on "junk fees" and transparency in advertising

01:16:00 – International Student Trends: Analyzing the Open Doors data and enrollment drops

01:25:00 – Company News: Lincoln Property Company acquires Capstone Development Partners

01:28:40 – Management Updates: Peak and Yugo portfolio awards

💡Sponsor Spotlight: Jameson Bedding

This episode is sponsored by Jameson Bedding. As you prepare your budget and inventory for the upcoming summer turn, don't let the stress of mattress replacement slow you down. Student Housing Pros rely on Jameson Bedding for their US-made mattresses that ship quickly anywhere in the lower 48, along with durable encasements to extend the life of your inventory. Visit StudentHousingMattress.com to learn more and stay ready for move-in.

🔗 References & Resources

Student Housing Insight Platform:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/

ShopTalk Webinar Info:

https://www.shoptalk.info/

Open Doors Data (International Student Enrollment): https://opendoorsdata.org/annual-release/international-students/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

NBC News Poll: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/poll-dramatic-shift-americans-no-longer-see-four-year-college-degrees-rcna243672?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_15919381_nl_Daily-Briefing_date_20251202

FTC News Release: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/12/greystar-agrees-pay-24-million-stop-deceptive-advertising-practices-result-ftc-colorado-lawsuit?utm_source=chatgpt.com

OpTech Conference (NMHC):

https://rettc.org/events/optech-2025

In this episode, host Wesley Deese sits down with Teddy Abdelmalek from HH Redstone to discuss the current state of student housing operations following the recent Shop Talk Executive Summit and LeaseCon/TurnCon conferences. Teddy shares his unique professional journey, transitioning from a pre-med track and Resident Assistant (RA) role into a career in property management and business development.

The conversation explores the critical impact of FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment) on leasing success, specifically highlighting how comfortable mattresses can significantly influence a resident's experience and decision-making. Teddy also outlines HH Redstone's "secret sauce" operational philosophy: treating residents as if they are the CEOs or owners of the property to drive performance and reputation. Finally, the discussion covers the importance of "speed winning" in leasing, the transition from operations to business development, and why investing in onsite talent is crucial for 2025.

⏱ Episode Timestamps & Key Topics

00:01:38 – Recap of the Shop Talk Executive Summit and LeaseCon

00:04:55 – The Strategic Importance of FF&E and Mattresses in Leasing

00:07:05 – Innovations in Common Areas: The Recre Kiosk

00:08:45 – Teddy’s Journey: From Pre-Med to Student Housing Property Management

00:15:30 – Building on University Relationships and Operational Growth

00:18:20 – Advice for Transitioning from Operations to Business Development

00:21:25 – HH Redstone’s Geographic Focus and Market Strategy

00:25:40 – The "Secret Sauce": Treating Residents Like CEOs

00:33:15 – Moving the Needle: Speed Wins and Bias Towards Action

00:36:15 – The Role of AI as a Supplement to Human Effort

00:37:30 – 2025 Takeaways: Investing in Staff and Professional Development

🤝 Episode Sponsor Student Housing Mattress Move-in day is stressful enough without the added worry of missing or uncomfortable mattresses. Powered by Jameson Bedding, Student Housing Mattress provides US-made mattresses that ship quickly anywhere in the lower 48 states, ensuring you are ready for move-in.

👉 Learn more and stay move-in ready: https://www.studenthousingmattress.com

🔗 Sources & References Mentioned in the Episode

Student Housing Insight:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com

Shop Talk Home Page:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com

StudentHousingMattress.com (Jamison Bedding):

https://www.studenthousingmattress.com

HH Redstone:

https://www.hhredstone.com

Lease Con / Turn Con (Interface Conference Group):

https://interfaceconferencegroup.com

In this episode, Student Housing Insight Ambassador Cody Hardy sits down with Tim Baldwin, attorney and owner of Property Management Law Solutions, for a deep dive into how landlord–tenant law has evolved in today’s post-COVID, AI-driven world. They unpack the foundational mistakes operators often make, the rise of tenant attorneys and class-action exposure, how AI is arming residents with new tools, and why having a trusted legal partner is no longer optional — it's a proactive risk-management strategy. Whether you're managing a single community or overseeing a national portfolio, this conversation reframes how to think about efficiency, documentation, compliance, and long-term protection for your assets and your team.

⏱️Timestamps

00:02:21 – Introduction to today’s topic and why operators need this conversation

00:04:38 – Cody introduces guest Tim Baldwin

00:08:28 – Common foundational mistakes in property management

00:11:04 – COVID, AI, and the rise of tenant attorneys

00:15:05 – How the industry has changed since 2020

00:20:25 – Why “doing it the right way” is actually more efficient

00:24:42 – PM Law Solutions’ online eviction platform

00:27:10 – How Tim’s team is structured to support multiple properties

00:29:16 – Misconceptions about cost and “I’ve always done it this way”

00:31:54 – How the industry has shifted: ESAs, accommodations, regulations

00:36:03 – No such thing as a dumb question — why clarity protects you

00:38:07 – How to connect with Tim Baldwin

00:38:34 – Wes’s closing takeaways & upcoming content preview

💡Sponsor Highlight StudentHousingMattress.com — Powered by Jamison Bedding Move-in day can unravel fast when even one bed is missing. Inspections miss things, local stores don’t carry student-housing sizes, and replacements are slow. StudentHousingMattress.com solves this with fast-shipping, U.S.-made mattresses — including industry-standard durable blue-vinyl models. Stay ready for move-in.

👉 https://studenthousingmattress.com/

🔗Mentioned Resources & Links

Student Housing Insight:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/

ShopTalk.Info: https://www.shoptalk.info/

Cody Hardy’s LinkedIn Page:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-hardy-cam-797100189/

Property Management Law Solutions, PLLC:

https://pmlawsolutions.com/

Student Housing Mattress:

https://studenthousingmattress.com/

💡 Sponsor Spotlight: The Guarantors This episode is sponsored by The Guarantors, the industry leader in rent coverage and risk reduction solutions for student housing operators. Their Rent Coverage product eliminates the uncertainty of parental guarantors, ensuring faster leasing conversions and reliable protection against rent loss.

👉 Learn more at theguarantors.com/student

⏱️ Episode Timestamps

00:05:05 – NMHC Conference Recap: Location, Attendance, and Vibe

00:08:33 – Industry Networking and TopGolf Mixer Fundraiser Recap

00:09:40 – Waymo Ride Experience in Scottsdale

00:16:55 – NMHC Key Sessions: 2025 Market Outlook & Executive Strategy Panel 00:22:40 – Data Sharing Debate and University Collaboration Challenges

00:32:47 – AI and Analytics in Student Housing Panel Highlights

00:38:07 – Breaking News: California’s Student Housing Legislation

00:51:57 – Adaptive Reuse Project: Office-to-Student-Housing Conversion in Long Beach

00:54:48 – Company News: Mergers, Partnerships, and Promotions

01:01:08 – Upcoming Events: ShopTalk, LeaseCon/TurnCon, and Executive Summit

🔗 References & Resources

Student Housing Insight: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/

Shop Talk Webinars: https://www.shoptalk.info/

Hi, How Are You Foundation: https://www.hihowareyou.org/

NMHC Student Housing Conference: https://www.nmhc.org/

Yugo: https://yugo.com/en-gb/home

PeakMade Real Estate: https://peakmade.com/

Scion Group: https://thesciongroup.com/

Capstone Development Partners: https://capdevpartners.com/

Fountain Residential Partners: https://fountainresidential.com/

In this episode of Student Housing Insight, host Wes Deese sits down with Matt Walker, Global Head of Student Housing for Mapletree Investments, to trace his two-decade journey from leasing manager in Oklahoma to leading international student housing investments from London. Matt shares lessons learned across roles at EDR, CA Ventures, and now Mapletree, offering insight into how career agility, openness to relocation, and curiosity about global markets can shape an exceptional trajectory in student housing. He reflects on the differences between U.S. and international markets, the cultural nuances of students living in South America and Europe, and how the sector continues to evolve in response to generational and economic shifts. A must-listen for operators, investors, and anyone passionate about the global student housing landscape.

⏱️ Key Time Stamps

00:01:30 – Introduction to Student Housing Insight and SHI’s Shop Talk webinars

00:04:02 – Meet Matt Walker: From on-site operations to international investment leadership

00:10:36 – Early career: EDR, Norman to Lawrence to Fort Worth

00:25:38 – Lessons in management, mentorship, and growth mindset

00:29:31 – Building CA Ventures’ West Coast operations

00:36:57 – Transition to international markets and challenges in South America 00:48:05 – Cultural differences in student living globally

00:59:32 – Moving to London and building a platform in the U.K.

01:35:04 – The future of global student housing and professional takeaways

💡 Sponsor Spotlight: Campus Technologies Whether developing or acquiring student housing, reliable internet is non-negotiable. Campus Technologies delivers high-speed wired and wireless internet infrastructure purpose-built for student housing, with 25 years of expertise and unmatched customer support.

📘 Download their free white paper on upgrading your property’s internet infrastructure at campustechnologies.com.

🔗 Resources Mentioned

ShopTalk.Info: https://www.shoptalk.info/

SHI Events Page: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

NMHC Student Housing Conf: https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2025-nmhc-student-housing-conference/

2025 TopGolf Mixer: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events/2025topgolfmixer

Interface LeaseCon+TurnCon 2025:

https://interfaceconferencegroup.com/event/leasecon-turncon-2025/

LC+TC x SHI Scholarship:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/shi2025scholarship

Host Wes Deese sits down with Dave Borsos and Matthew Berger from the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) to preview this fall’s lineup of major student housing conferences, including the NMHC Student Housing Conference, & OpTech. They unpack trends in capital markets, international student enrollment, and tax policy—and explore how technology and AI are shaping property operations. Later, Rich Kelley from Student Housing Business joins to share what’s ahead for LeaseCon+TurnCon, new scholarship opportunities, and how shifting leasing patterns are influencing 2026 planning.

🕒 Time Stamps

00:04:57 – NMHC Conference Preview with Dave Borsos & Matthew Berger

00:19:37 – The Role of Technology & RETTC

00:29:48 – Upcoming Industry Events

00:32:59 – LeaseCon/TurnCon Preview with Rich Kelley

00:46:42 – Closing Notes & Sponsor Reminder

💡 Episode Sponsor Campus Technologies – With more than 25 years of experience, Campus Technologies provides enterprise-level internet and managed IT services tailored for student housing communities. Future-proof your properties with their latest insights.

📘 Download the free white paper:

👉 campustechnologies.com

🔗 Resources Mentioned

Student Housing Insight: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com

Shop Talk Registration: https://www.shoptalk.info

NMHC Student Housing Conference: https://www.nmhc.org

College Student Mental Wellness Coalition: https://www.hihowareyou.org

Interface LeaseCon + TurnCon 2025:

https://www.interfaceconferencegroup.com/event/leasecon-turncon-2025/

SHI Scholarship for LC+TC 2025: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/shi2025scholarship

Student Housing Business Magazine:

https://www.studenthousingbusiness.com

💡 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:

00:01:17 – Introduction

00:03:53 – Greta’s Update: Vitra Housing

00:07:42 – LeaseCon/TurnCon Scholarship Program

00:11:29 – Industry News Round-Up

00:18:00 – Marketing & Leasing Strategies

00:22:00 – Market Data & Leasing Reports

00:38:30 – Pre-Leasing and Rent Growth Concerns

00:52:48 – International Student Enrollment Trends

01:05:54 – Dual Enrollment Trends

01:07:55 – Outro

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

Student Housing Insight: https://studenthousinginsight.com

Student Housing Insight Events Page: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

Shoptalk Webinars: https://shoptalk.info

Vitra Housing: https://www.vitrahousing.com/

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

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):

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

🕒 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

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

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

⏱️ 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

⏱️ 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.

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

• 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Interface Student Housing Conference and Episode Overview.

• • 00:01:00 - Welcome to the Live Podcast and Guest Introductions
    • Sean Divine, EVP of Property Operations and Experience, Core Spaces.
    • Adam Byrley, COO, The Price Company.
    • Jennifer Cassidy, President, Cardinal Group Companies.
    • Casey Petersen, COO, Tailwind Group.

• • 00:05:00 - Discussion on Leasing Velocity and FAFSA Impact
    • Reflecting on the 2024 FAFSA delays and their effect on leasing.
    • Market-specific impacts (e.g., Arizona) and supply-demand dynamics.
    • Role of pricing, new supply, and economic uncertainty.

• • 00:19:00 - Competition from Conventional Multifamily Housing
    • Challenges in measuring student leakage to conventional markets.
    • Market-specific shadow markets and student preferences.

• • 00:24:00 - Centralization in Student Housing Operations
    • Lessons learned from centralization efforts.
    • Balancing technology, payroll costs, and performance.
    • Importance of change management and team empowerment.

• • 00:36:23 - Impact of Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty
    • Potential effects on furniture supply and new developments.
    • Broader business impacts (e.g., interest rates, treasuries).

• • 00:41:46 - Future of Student Housing (Next Five Years)
    • Role of AI and technology (e.g., humanoid robots at Iris Technologies).
    • International student demand shifts and policy impacts.
    • Legal policy, mental health programming, and user experience trends.

• • 00:48:44 - Audience Q&A
    • What keeps industry leaders passionate about student housing.
    • Excitement for technology and balancing operational strategy.

• 00:55:50 - Closing Remarks and Thanks.

• InterFace Student Housing Conference – https://www.interfaceconferencegroup.com/event/student-housing

• University of Florida (Gainesville) – https://www.ufl.edu

• NC State University (Raleigh) – https://www.ncsu.edu

In this special episode of the Student Housing Insight Podcast, host Wesley Deese sits down with industry legend Bill Bayless, co-founder and former CEO of American Campus Communities and current CEO and founder of Maslow’s Campus Communities. From his humble beginnings in West Virginia to founding one of the largest student housing companies in the world, Bill shares the pivotal moments, challenges, and philosophies that have defined his career and shaped the industry. This candid, in-depth interview also covers his new vision for Maslow’s Campus Communities and a full-circle moment with Disney. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just entering the student housing world, this episode is packed with inspiration, insight, and wisdom from one of the industry’s greats.

• 00:00:00 — Introduction: Bill Bayless joins the podcast
  
• 00:01:00 — Sponsor message: Campus Technologies
  
• 00:02:00 — Overview of Student Housing Insight platform and “ShopTalk” webinars
  
• 00:03:09 — Introducing the “Profiles” series and Bill Bayless’s industry impact
  
• 00:07:10 — Bill’s upbringing in West Virginia and early work experiences
  
• 00:14:00 — Memorable professors and practical business education
  
• 00:17:00 — Becoming an RA and discovering student housing
  
• 00:19:00 — Market softening at WVU and the inspiration to build a student housing business
  
• 00:21:00 — Misconceptions of student housing in the 1980s
  
• 00:23:00 — Early career: Cardinal Industries and bankruptcy lessons
  
• 00:25:00 — Joining Century Development and exploring P3 partnerships
  
• 00:27:00 — Launching American Campus Communities (ACC) from Doby Center
  
• 00:32:00 — Early ACC challenges and the Prairie View A&M project
  
• 00:38:00 — Securing capital and scaling ACC
  
• 00:42:00 — IPO journey: Institutionalizing student housing
  
• 00:47:00 — Culture and philosophy of leadership at ACC
  
• 00:51:00 — Management advice: hiring, mentorship, and team development
  
• 00:56:00 — Returning to the Disney vision and a full-circle moment
  
• 01:00:00 — Partnering with Disney on 10,400-bed intern housing
  
• 01:03:00 — Operational excellence as the cornerstone of success
  
  

Campus Technologies
Fast, reliable internet isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Campus Technologies brings nearly 25 years of experience delivering top-tier internet and managed IT services to student housing communities nationwide.
📥 Download their latest white paper or visit campustechnologies.com to learn how to future-proof your property.

• 🎧 Student Housing Insight Website
• 📊 ShopTalk Info & Webinar Registration
• 🌐 Campus Technologies
• 🏢 American Campus Communities
• 🏫 Maslow’s Campus Communities

• 00:00:00 – Sponsor Message from Campus Technologies

• 00:01:00 – Introduction by Wesley Deese

• 00:03:00 – Why affordability in student housing isn’t discussed enough

• 00:04:15 – Introduction to College Housing Northwest (CHNW)

• 00:06:00 – Mission and structure of CHNW

• 00:07:00 – The rise of student homelessness and nationwide affordability crisis

• 00:11:00 – Statistics from the Hope Center on housing insecurity

• 00:13:00 – How CHNW began: the 1969 student-led initiative

• 00:15:00 – Types of developments and redevelopments CHNW has completed

• 00:18:30 – Hotel acquisition and conversion into student housing

• 00:20:00 – Student referral process and relationship with schools

• 00:21:30 – Lowering barriers: no guarantor or rental history required

• 00:24:00 – The evolving demographic of college students

• 00:27:00 – Exclusion from LIHTC and policy challenges

• 00:28:00 – Partnerships with schools and state governments

• 00:30:00 – Potential for broader partnerships with developers

• 00:34:30 – How to get involved with CHNW

• 00:36:00 – Closing thoughts and call for collaboration

Alex Wallace
Development Manager, College Housing Northwest
📧 Email: aWallace@chnw.org
🌐 Website: www.chnw.org

Campus Technologies
Campus Technologies delivers high-speed, stable internet infrastructure tailored for student housing — backed by nearly 25 years of industry experience. They also provide managed IT services for on-site teams.
📥 Download their white paper on best practices for upgrading internet infrastructure
🔗 Visit: campustechnologies.com

• 📊 The Hope Center Report on student food and housing insecurity: https://hope.temple.edu

• 🖥️ Shop Talk Webinars by Student Housing Insight: https://www.shoptalk.info

• 🏢 College Housing Northwest: https://www.chnw.org

• www.StudentHousingInsight.com 

Listeners will gain a behind-the-scenes look at how SouthPark Interiors built a reputation for creative, budget-conscious, and impactful design that enhances both branding and resident experience. Traci and Christie also reflect on the changes they’ve seen in the industry and offer advice to up-and-coming designers and developers.

⏱ Episode Segments & Timestamps
00:00:00 – Intro & Sponsor Message

00:02:18 – SouthPark Interiors 20-Year Celebration

00:05:00 – How SouthPark Interiors Got Started

00:09:52 – Early Projects and Gaining Trust in the Industry

00:13:20 – Working with Clients: Budgeting and Collaboration

00:16:45 – Design Trends Over the Last Two Decades

00:21:10 – Creating a Brand Identity Through Interior Design

00:24:05 – Challenges of Scaling and Maintaining Quality

00:28:40 – Advice to New Developers and Designers

00:32:55 – The Future of Student Housing Design

00:35:35 – Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

00:36:11 – Sponsor Message & Outro

🏆 Episode Sponsor: SouthPark Interiors
This episode is proudly sponsored by SouthPark Interiors, a full-service interior design firm specializing in the student housing sector for over 20 years. Known for their ability to deliver high-end design solutions that remain mindful of budget constraints, SouthPark Interiors has partnered with developers across the U.S. to create inviting, functional, and marketable student communities.

🎨 Visit SouthParkInteriors.com to see their portfolio and learn how they can bring your next project to life.

🔗 References & Resources
SouthPark Interiors
Website: https://www.southparkinteriors.com

Student Housing Insight
Website: https://studenthousinginsight.com

Timestamps & Topics

00:00:00 – Introduction to the Episode and the Importance of Student Housing.

00:01:00 – Sponsor Spotlight: Campus Technologies – Providing high-performance internet for student housing.

00:02:00 – Overview of Student Housing Insight and industry resources.

00:03:00 – What is the Interface Student Housing Conference? Event dates and significance.

00:04:00 – Background on Student Housing Business, France Media, and how the conference started.

00:06:00 – Key highlights from past LeaseCon TurnCon conference and student panel discussions.

00:08:00 – Why Interface Student Housing continues to grow and attract global attention.

00:09:00 – The evolution of the student housing industry and increasing institutional investment

00:14:00 – Breakdown of the Interface Student Housing Conference Schedule: Opening Day (April 9th): Data session, Women in Development panel, International Student Housing panel, Roundtables, and Welcome Reception Day Two (April 10th): Power Panel, Exhibit Hall, Key Sessions, and the Innovator Awards Day Three (April 11th): Final sessions and closing remarks

00:18:00 – Why attendees should stay for the entire conference, including Friday sessions

00:19:00 – Hotel and lodging options near the JW Marriott Austin

00:21:00 – Opportunities for sponsors and exhibitors at the event

00:22:00 – Closing thoughts and call-to-action for attendees

Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Campus Technologies. Whether you're developing a new student housing community or upgrading an existing one, reliable high-speed internet is essential. Campus Technologies specializes in internet infrastructure and managed IT services tailored for student housing, ensuring seamless connectivity and support.

📌 Download their latest white paper or visit www.CampusTechnologies.com to learn more.

Resources & Links Mentioned

Student Housing Insight Website: www.StudentHousingInsight.com

ShopTalk Monthly Webinar Registration: www.ShopTalk.info

Interface Student Housing Conference Info & Registration: https://web.cvent.com/event/8c037ef7-d0ab-40b4-88f2-7076a4a3d9f3/websitePage:9ee6647b-278e-45b3-95bc-fdca253e1bba

Student Housing Business Magazine: StudentHousingBusiness.com

France Media Publications & Events: FranceMediaInc.com

Hotel Booking for Conference: Check event website for official hotel partners

Alexis shares her insights from working with student housing properties across the country, highlighting common mistakes properties make with their digital presence and how to avoid them. Whether you're looking to improve your property's social media strategy or explore innovative ways to enhance engagement, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you stay ahead.

📌 [00:00:00] – Introduction: Establishing mini brand personalities in student housing marketing
📌 [00:01:00] – Sponsor Spotlight: Campus Technologies – Providing high-speed internet & managed IT services
📌 [00:02:00] – Welcome & Overview of Student Housing Insight and Shop Talk Webinars
📌 [00:04:00] – Meet Co-Host Alexis Krissay & Introduction to Serendipity Consulting
📌 [00:05:00] – The Current Landscape of Social Media in Student Housing
📌 [00:06:00] – Common Social Media Mistakes: One-sided content, lack of engagement
📌 [00:07:00] – Creating a Two-Way Engagement Strategy on Social Media
📌 [00:10:00] – How Leasing Agents Can Become Social Media Ambassadors
📌 [00:11:00] – Building Trust with Transparency & Open Communication
📌 [00:14:00] – Handling Negative Comments & Encouraging Student Interaction
📌 [00:16:00] – Importance of Instant Communication on Social Platforms
📌 [00:17:00] – Leveraging Automation Tools: ManyChat & AI Chatbots
📌 [00:19:00] – Equipment & Tools for Quality Content Creation
📌 [00:22:00] – Marketing for New Developments: Selling the Lifestyle
📌 [00:23:00] – Encouraging User-Generated Content & Resident Ambassadors
📌 [00:27:00] – Tips for Small Properties Without a Large Leasing Staff
📌 [00:28:00] – Social Media Ambassador Programs: Best Practices
📌 [00:30:00] – Episode Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

This episode is sponsored by Campus Technologies, a leader in delivering high-speed internet and managed IT services tailored for student housing communities. With nearly 25 years of experience, Campus Technologies ensures top-tier connectivity and seamless tech support for both students and property managers.

🔥 Get their latest white paper on best practices for upgrading your property's internet infrastructure!
📌 Visit: campustechnologies.com

• 🎥 ManyChat (Automation for DMs & Instant Responses): manychat.com

• 📱 Shop Talk Webinar Series: shoptalk.info

• 🎥 Student Housing Insight YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@studenthousinginsight8916 

They discuss:

• The history of Campus Technologies, Inc. and its impact on the student housing industry.
• Why network infrastructure matters for student retention and operational success.
• Key considerations for new developments vs. acquisitions—including how long-term vs. short-term holds impact tech investments.
• The biggest mistakes operators make when it comes to internet service.
• The future of student housing connectivity—from managed Wi-Fi to IoT and smart building integrations.

Whether you’re a property owner, operator, or tech enthusiast, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways to help you stay ahead in the ever-changing world of student housing technology.

📌 Resources & Links:

• Learn more about Campus Technologies, Inc.: https://www.campustechnologies.com
• Download their latest white paper on network infrastructure lifespan: https://www.campustechnologies.com/_files/ugd/b3a15c_99ae55a5e2b443209859091ea4150925.pdf
• Register for ShopTalk, the industry’s monthly student housing webinar at www.shoptalk.info
• For more info about Student Housing Insight: www.StudentHousingInsight.com
•  

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

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

💡 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.com
Subscribe to Shop Talk webinars: shoptalk.info
Explore 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!

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

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 

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

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 

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

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

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

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 

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

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 

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

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

If you are looking for an architecture firm for your next student housing development or rehab, get in touch with Don today: dflick@BSBDesign.com

For more information on Student Housing Insight, email us at contact@StudentHousingInsight.com or visit our website at www.StudentHousingInsight.com

Click here for information and to register for the Interface Student Housing Conference.

Email Student Housing Insight at contact@StudentHousingInsight.com

This episode is sponsored by South Park Interiors.  If you have an upcoming student housing development or value-add renovation coming up, reach out and share your project with SPI.  You'll be amazed at the experience and insight they have of the student housing industry and how it will add value to your project!  Email Audrey Robinette at Audrey@southparkinteriors.com.

This episode is sponsored by Opiniion.  Find out more and schedule a demo at www.Opiniion.com/SHI

Questions or comments?  Email us at contact@StudentHousingInsight.com

But how does that relate to Student Housing?  It doesn't... but we did find a way to tie the discussion into the use of NIL and micro-influencers to promote a PBSH community. 

In this episode, Wes and Gretta provide their take-a-ways from the Super Bowl, the half-time show, and the impact of the Swift/Kelce romance.  As they tie it all to NIL, they include a recent ShopTalk conversation on NIL and micro-influencers  with Alex Abernathy of Asset Living, Matt Pavlick with Gro Marketing, and Sam Winn with Agency FIFTY3.

We're not sure you'll learn anything from this episode but we hope you'll join in the drinking game we created!

This episode is sponsored by Opiniion.  Check them out at www.Opiniion.com/SHI

Resources mentioned:

• Template NIL Agreement

Questions & Comments, email us at contact@StudentHousingInsight.com

This episode is sponsored by Opiniion.  If you need to generate more reviews for your property and know the pulse of your residents' satisfaction, Opiniion is the answer!  For a special discount, go to www.Opiniion.com/SHI and schedule a demo.

Have questions about this episode or SHI?  Email us at contact@StudentHousingInsight.com

Register for the industry's monthly webinar and stay up on all things related to student housing operations.  Go to www.ShopTalk.info 

This episode is sponsored by Opiniion!  Opiniion is the reputation management platform of choice by many of the top PBSH/PBSA providers such as Cardinal Group Management, Yugo, and Redstone.  Student housing operators can receive a special deal by going to www.Opiniion.com/SHI and booking a demo.

Questions for Tonya?  Email her at tcreamer@OxfordInternational.com

Have questions or suggestions for Student Housing Insight?  Email us at contact@StudentHousingInsight.com 

Register for the student housing industry's monthly webinar at: www.ShopTalk.info 

You can find out more about Dojo Networks by visiting www.dojonetworks.com .

For more info on SHI, visit us at www.StudentHousingInsight.com

To register for ShopTalk, the industry's monthly webinar, go to www.ShopTalk.info and register to receive the monthly email invites. 

This episode was sponsored by BSB Design.  If you are looking for an architect and design firm that understands student housing, contact Don Flick today at dflick@BSBDesign.com .

Referenced Links:

• Purchase LeaseCon+TurnCon audio recordings by emailing Kelly Moustafa at kmoustafa@francemediainc.com
• Register for the industry's monthly webinar, ShopTalk: www.ShopTalk.info
• For more info about Student Housing Insight or to contact us, go to www.StudentHousingInsight.com 

This episode is sponsored by BSB Design.  For more information on how BSB can help you with your next student housing new dev or renovation, contact Don Flick at dflick@bsbdesign.com.

For more information on Student Housing Insight, visit us at www.StudentHousingInsight.com

To receive monthly invites to the industry's monthly webinar, ShopTalk, go to www.ShopTalk.info

This episode was made possible by the generous sponsorship from BSB Design.

Register for the industry's monthly webinar, ShopTalk: www.ShopTalk.com

Find out more about SHI at www.StudentHousingInsight.com 

In this episode, Wes sits down with the hosts of 2 of those events which are based in the US, and provides a preview of several other international conferences that are scheduled for this fall.

This episode is sponsored by BSB Design.

Links to the conferences discussed in this episode:

• SHURE - European Union, Oct.10th in Zurich, Switzerland
• NMHC Student Housing, Oct 17-19 in Las Vegas, NV
• GSL Live, Oct. 19th, in London, England
• SHURE - Eastern Canada, Nov. 15-16 in Toronto, ON
• LeaseCon+TurnCon, Dec. 4-5 in Charlotte, NC

Have questions or comments?  Email us at Contact@StudentHousingInsight.com

Register for the industry's monthly webinar, ShopTalk.

In this episode, Wes sits down with Leap's COO, Michael Davies.  Leap's rent guarantee product naturally attracted international students trying to find housing in NYC.  So in 2018, Leap began taking their product nationwide and it has been a huge hit with operators.  Listen to this episode and find out how they are helping operators on multiple levels now and providing an incredible scholarship program that your residents can apply for.

For more info, go to www.LeapEasy.com 

For more information, visit www.StudentHousingInsight.com

Email us at Contact@StudentHousingInsight.com 

In this episode, Daniel Smith joins Wes as co-host to discuss sustainability efforts and where things are headed.  Daniel is not only a student housing veteran with both development and operating experience, he is also the co-founder of Good Management Group which is a London-based consultancy firm that advises all types of companies regarding their ESG efforts.  Daniel is also the managing director of Student Housing Consultancy.  Additionally in this episode, we share a recent ShopTalk panel discussion on What's Ahead with ESG and Student Housing.  The panel includes industry experts Jill Brosig from Harrison Street, and Chris Laughman and Madeline Robertson, both from Greystar.

This episode is sponsored by uForis VR.  If you need a VR rendering to promote your apartment community, reach out to David Li at david@uforis.com 

Questions about the podcast or Student Housing Insight? Email us at contact@StudentHousingInsight.com

This episode is sponsored by uForis VR.  To download the 2023 "Design for the Future" report, go to www.uforis.com

For questions are comments, please visit us at www.StudentHousingInsight.com or email us at Contact@StudentHousingInsight.com.

This episode is sponsored by uForis VR.  To download the 2023 "Design for the Future" report, go to www.uforis.com

For questions are comments, please visit us at www.StudentHousingInsight.com or email us at Contact@StudentHousingInsight.com.

This episode is sponsored by Jamison Sleep Products.  Jamison manufactures a range of bedding products specifically for student housing.  For more info, visit www.StudentHousingMattress.com 

Referenced Links from the Episode:

Previous "Site Level to C-Suite" episode featuring Casey: https://studenthousing.podbean.com/e/shi-3001-from-site-level-to-the-c-suite/ 

Register for ShopTalk at www.ShopTalk.info

More info on Student Housing Insight: www.StudentHousingInsight.com 

This episode is sponsored by Jamison Sleep Products.  Jamison manufactures a range of bedding products specifically for student housing.  For more info, visit www.StudentHousingMattress.com 

Referenced Links from the Episode:

Turn Co's Website:  www.TheTurnCompany.com 

Register for ShopTalk at www.ShopTalk.info

More info on Student Housing Insight: www.StudentHousingInsight.com 

This episode is sponsored by Jamison Sleep Products.  Jamison manufactures a range of bedding products specifically for student housing.  For more info, visit www.StudentHousingMattress.com 

Referenced Links from the Episode:

College Student Mental Wellness Coalition: https://thrivingcollegestudents.org/

Join the Coalition: https://tinyurl.com/4jdxrd6c

Hi, How Are You Project: https://hihowareyou.org/

The JED Foundation Resource Center: https://jedfoundation.org/mental-heal...

Register for ShopTalk at www.ShopTalk.info

More info on Student Housing Insight: www.StudentHousingInsight.com 

Find out more about SHI at www.StudentHousingInsight.com

Email us any of your questions or comments to contact@StudentHousingInsight.com

Register for the industry's monthly webinar at www.ShopTalk.info 

Additionally, Wes sits down with special guest co-host, Mary Allen.  Mary is the recipient of the 2023 Interface Scholarship provided by the W. Collective.  Mary gives her feedback about her experience as a first-time conference attendee and her takeaways.

For more information about SHI, visit us www.StudentHousingInsight.com

For questions or comments, please email contact@StudentHousingInsight.com

To register for ShopTalk, go www.ShopTallk.info 

In this episode, Wes sits down with Brian to discuss the SHURE Initiative and what is on tap for the conference.  Additionally, Mike Porritt of The Scion Group and UBC's AVP of Student Housing and Community Services, Andrew Parr, join the conversation to provide an overview of the housing and real estate challenges facing Canadian universities and why there is such a need for partnerships with the private sector.

SHURE Conference Web Site: https://studenthousingvancouver.tech/

Email Brian: info@studenthousing.international

Register for ShopTalk: www.ShopTalk.info

Find out more about SHI: www.StudentHousingInsight.com

Email Wes: Wes@StudentHousingInsight.com

Related Links:

Schedule time with Wes at Interface: www.calendly.com/wesdeese/interface 

SHI's Website: www.StudentHousingInsight.com

Contact us: contact@StudentHousingInsight.com 

ShopTalk: www.ShopTalk.info

Rui's email:  rui.barros@yugo.com 

For more information and to register, click here.

To register for our monthly webinar and view past webinars, visit www.StudentHousingInsight.com 

For more information on consulting services offered by Providential Student Housing, go to www.ProvidentialStudentHousing.com

Have questions or want to advertise with SHI, email us at contact@StudentHousingInsight.com 

Related links:

Sponsor: Providential Student Housing

Adam's email:  adam.byrley@tpco.com 

ShopTalk website:  www.ShopTalk.info 

SHI's website:  www.StudentHousingInsight.com 

Referenced Links:

ShopTalk

Feb '23 ShopTalk Replay

Student Housing of America, Inc.

Samual Wiggins LinkedIn

Student Housing Insight

Have questions about Student Housing Insight? 

Go to www.StudentHousingInsight.com

or email us at Contact@StudentHousingInsight.com 

• Nick Morrison
• Nancy Giles
• Stephanie Nolan

For more information on Student Housing Insight, visit us at www.StudentHousingInsight.com

To register for ShopTalk, go to www.ShopTalk.info.

Questions or comments about the podcast? Email us at Contact@StudentHousingInsight.com or visit our website at www.StudentHousingInsight.com 

If you have questions or comments for SHI, email us at contact@StudentHousingInsight.com

Make sure you register for our monthly webinar, ShopTalk, by going to www.ShopTalk.info 

For questions or comments about Student Housing Insight, email us at contact@StudentHousingInsight.com .

For more information on ShopTalk and to register to receive calendar invites, go to www.ShopTalk.com 

This episode is sponsored by Opiniion.  Residents not only want to be heard, they want to be understood.  Opiniion is the platform that gives property managers an understanding of their residents' satisfaction level.  Visit them today at: https://opiniion.com/SHI/ 

W.Collective's LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12650630/ 

To request an application to be a 2023 SHI Ambassador, please email us at Contact@StudentHousingInsight.com. 

This episode is sponsored by Opiniion!  If you need insight into your residents' satisfaction level and an automatic way of boosting your ratings on review sites, reach out to Opiniion today.  Go to www.Opiniion.com/SHI

Important Links:

• Register for ShopTalk: www.ShopTalk.info
• Info about LeaseCon+TurnCon
• Questions or comments about the podcast? Email us at Contact@StudentHousingInsight.com

Interested in hearing more about Opiniion and schedule a demo?  Go to https://opiniion.com/SHI

Looking for more info on LeaseCon/TurnCon? Click Here!

Have a question or comment about the podcast? Email us at Contact@StudentHousingInsight.com

This episode is sponsored by Qira.  For more information on their tailored student housing flexible rent program and their many other financial services, go to www.StudentHousingInsight.com/Qira 

Referenced Links:

• Student Housing Matters Podcast
• The Prop Ops Podcast
• The Student Housing Marketing Podcast
• LeaseCon/TurnCon 
• ShopTalk

Questions or comments?  Email us at contact@StudentHousingInsight.com 

Additionally, Wes sits down with Rich Kelley of Interface Conference Group to discuss the upcoming LeaseCon/TurnCon conference scheduled this December in Charlotte, NC

This podcast is sponsored by Opiniion.  For more information and a special offer, go to www.Opiniion.com/SHI

To register for ShopTalk, go to www.ShopTalk.info

For more info on LeaseCon/TurnCon, click here.

For comments and questions, email us at contact@StudentHousingInsight.com

To have Vector provide an offer for your property, visit www.VectorStays.com/SHI

To find out more about how Qira can help you approve more applications and eliminate delinquency, go to https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/qira 

Questions for SHI? Email us at contact@studenthousinginsight.com

This episode is sponsored by Qira.  Check them out at https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/qira

Chapters:

00:00 - Qira

03:29 - Intro & Turn Stories

09:18 - Interview w/ Bisnow's Kara Breazeale

17:20 - Canadian Student Housing Conference

20:12 - Interview w/ NMHC's Matthew Berger and Dave Borsos

Links mentioned in this episode:

Bisnow's Student Housing & University Development Conference

***Enter Discount Code INSIGHT for 20% off***

North American Investment for Student Housing Conference

NMHC's Annual Student Housing Conference    

Get more info, go to www.VectorStays.com/SHI

To Contact Mickey Kropf directly: mickey@vectorstays.com 

More info on SHI? Check us out at www.StudentHousingInsight.com

Download the SHI Connect App:

Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shi-connect/id1609251565

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.honeycommb.shiconnect&hl=en

Links to Referenced Items

• ShopTalk - https://www.shoptalk.info/
• Adam Yarber/StarRez Webinar with Student Housing Business - https://studenthousingbusiness.com/webinar-creating-an-inclusive-housing-experience-for-students-with-technology/
• Be There Certificate:  https://betherecertificate.org/

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from University of South Florida's Muma College of Business:  https://www.usf.edu/business/certificates/diversity-equity-inclusion/

• Co-Host Emails
  • Billie-Paige Peterson: BPeterson@varsitycampus.com
  • Adam Yarber: ayarber@campusadv.com 

Questions are comments about this podcast?  Email us at Contact@StudentHousingInsight.com 

Student housing leaders, Jenn Cassidy and Erica White join as special guest co-hosts to make announcements of a new mental health initiative and a new women's group called the W. Collective.

This podcast episode is sponsored by Vector Travel.  For more information about how Vector Travel can turn your vacant units into income producing short-term rentals, contact them at www.vectorstays.com/shi 

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Enrollment Form for the College Student Mental Wellness Advocacy Coalition
• The W. Collective LinkedIn Group
• ShopTalk