Student Housing Insight

📄 Episode Summary In this episode of the Student Housing Insight Podcast, host Wesley Deese welcomes John Barr for the fourth installment of the Tough Talks series. John interviews Willie Butler, principal at Empower Property Management Consulting, a seasoned expert in the student housing industry known for his book “Releasing” and his work as a "leasing assassin." The conversation dives into the importance of returning to fundamental leasing practices, the pitfalls of over-relying on technology, and the value of humility in addressing leasing challenges. Willie shares his spicy take on the industry, emphasizing the need to focus on grassroots marketing and training to solve occupancy issues. The episode also touches on memorable turn stories, the impact of pride in decision-making, and advice for young professionals starting in the industry. Additionally, Wes highlights upcoming industry events and strategies for operators facing leasing shortfalls, including leveraging short-term rentals. 🕒 Time Stamps * 00:01:44 – Meet Willie Butler: Empower PMC & Leasing Assassin Origins * 00:02:43 – Background and experience with Campus Crest, launching Empower * 00:10:04 – Interview with Willie Butler Starts * 00:13:03 – Willie’s “Spicy Take” on the Today’s Industry” * 00:14:00 – The case for classics: Grassroots marketing and leasing fundamentals * 00:16:01 – Willie's magic wish: eliminating pride in the industry * 00:19:23 – Memorable turn story: Taking the team to Cabo * 00:21:01 – Advice to younger self: Don’t romanticize the product over process * 00:23:56 – Final reflections on Willie’s insights * 00:25:31 – Vector Travel & STR options for fall * 00:28:38 – Upcoming events: Shop Talk, BIZNOW Atlanta, NMHC Topgolf Fundraiser * 00:32:38 – Preview of next episode with Jacob Koscher   💡 Sponsor Spotlight: Campus Technologies Whether you're developing a new community or acquiring an existing one, Campus Technologies delivers robust internet and IT services tailored for student housing. With nearly 25 years of experience, their high-speed wired/wireless internet, combined with managed IT services, ensures operational excellence and satisfied residents. 👉 Learn more or download their white paper at: www.campustechnologies.com [http://www.campustechnologies.com]   🔗 Referenced Links & Resources:   * Student Housing Insight Events Page – https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events [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 [https://www.bisnow.com/events/atlanta/student-housing/atlanta-student-housing-summit-8990] * “Hi, How Are You” Project – https://www.hihowareyou.org [https://www.hihowareyou.org] * NMHC Student Housing Conference – https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2025-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 [https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events/2025topgolfmixer] * SHI: Vector Travel Episode - https://youtu.be/0T_mY1pyu18?feature=shared [https://youtu.be/0T_mY1pyu18?feature=shared]

🔍 Summary In this episode of the Student Housing Insight Podcast, hosts Wesley Deese and John Barr welcome Nick Hill, COO of Up Campus, for a candid and insightful conversation as part of the Tough Talks series. With a diverse background in student housing across both U.S. and international markets, Nick shares a unique perspective on development, acquisitions, leadership, and the grit it takes to navigate tough transitions and late deliveries. Listeners will gain a behind-the-scenes look at Nick's career journey, his take on what’s harder—acquisitions or new developments—and how challenges in delivery timelines helped shape his leadership and operational approach. The discussion also emphasizes transparency in crisis situations, advice for young professionals entering the industry, and the value of long-term relationships in student housing.   ⏱️ Time Stamps • 00:01:30 – Welcome to the podcast & Tough Talks intro • 00:11:30 – Interview starts: Meet Nick Hill • 00:13:05 – Industry “spicy take”: Stop hoarding data • 00:14:28 – Acquisition vs. Development revisited • 00:15:49 – Turn stories: From chaos to core memories • 00:18:03 – Advice for student housing professionals • 00:20:39 – Outro: Upcoming events: SHI x Bisnow, Shop Talk • 00:32:38 – Preview of next episode: Willie Butler   💡 Sponsor Spotlight: Campus Technologies Whether you're developing a new community or acquiring an existing one, Campus Technologies delivers robust internet and IT services tailored for student housing. With nearly 25 years of experience, their high-speed wired/wireless internet, combined with managed IT services, ensures operational excellence and satisfied residents. 👉 Learn more or download their white paper at: www.campustechnologies.com [http://www.campustechnologies.com]   🔗 Referenced Links & Resources • Student Housing Insight Events Page – https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events [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 [https://www.bisnow.com/events/atlanta/student-housing/atlanta-student-housing-summit-8990] • “Hi, How Are You” Project – https://www.hihowareyou.org [https://www.hihowareyou.org] • NMHC Student Housing Conference – https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2025-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 [https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events/2025topgolfmixer]

📌 Episode Summary: In this episode of Student Housing Insight, we sit down with Aryne Bailey, EVP of Student Housing at The Dinerstein Companies, as part of the “Tough Talk” series hosted by John Barr. Aryne opens up about her dynamic role, her take on AI and centralization in property operations, and the evolving challenges of acquisitions versus new developments. The conversation blends candid insights, industry trends, and even a hilarious turn-time mishap that perfectly illustrates the learning curve many face in student housing management. If you're an operator, vendor, or aspiring industry leader, this episode is packed with invaluable insights and relatable stories that reflect both the complexity and the community within the student housing industry.   ⏱️ Episode Time Stamps: 00:00:00 – Welcome & Aryne’s hilarious “refrigerator trailer” story 00:00:28 – Sponsor spotlight: Campus Technologies 00:01:55 – Recap of the Tough Talks series and Aryne’s industry presence 00:03:38 – Overview of Shop Talk and market updates 00:04:57 – Preleasing and rental rate trends post-pandemic 00:07:45 – Impact of declining enrollment and international student policies 00:09:07 – Cyclical nature of student housing development 00:11:00 – Intro to Aryne’s interview and her leadership role 00:14:40 – Aryne on her scope of work at Dinerstein Companies 00:16:59 – Hot take: AI and centralization vs. human presence in ops 00:19:33 – Acquisitions vs. new developments: which is harder? 00:22:11 – Aryne’s best turn story – “The refrigerator incident” 00:24:29 – Career advice: “Never burn a bridge” in this tight-knit industry 00:27:08 – Wrap-up & preview of the next Tough Talks guest 00:30:33 – Announcements: BIZNOW event, Topgolf Mixer, and fundraising   💡 Sponsor Spotlight: Campus Technologies Whether you're developing a new community or acquiring an existing one, fast and reliable internet is no longer optional—it's essential. Campus Technologies brings nearly 25 years of experience delivering top-tier wired and wireless internet, as well as managed IT services specifically designed for student housing. 👉 Download their latest white paper or learn more at www.campustechnologies.com [http://www.campustechnologies.com]   🔗 References & Links: Shop Talk monthly webinar:  https://www.shoptalk.info [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 [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 [https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events/2025topgolfmixer] College Student Mental Wellness Advocacy Coalition Powered by: How Are You Foundation

📘 Episode Summary In this premiere episode of the Tough Talk series from Student Housing Insight, host John Barr (Director of Leasing & Innovation, The Dinerstein Companies) sits down with JT Bailey, VP and GM of Student at RealPage. Together, they dive into the nuances of AI integration in student housing, the importance of keeping human interaction at the forefront, and the irreplaceable value of site-level experience. JT reflects on his journey from leasing desks to product development at RealPage, delivers a bold “spicy take” on AI, and shares some nostalgic chaos from turn season—including flying furniture. This episode kicks off a full summer series of candid conversations with industry leaders recorded live at the Interface conference.   ⏱️ Time-Stamps 00:00:00 – Introduction + Sponsor Message from Campus Technologies 00:01:30 – About Student Housing Insight & Ambassador Program 00:03:00 – Guest Intro: John Barr from Dinerstein 00:04:00 – The Innovation Role Explained 00:06:30 – Exploring Site Team Challenges & Testing New Tech 00:08:00 – Ambassador Content Creation + Tough Talks Series Concept 00:10:00 – Preview of Upcoming Interviews in the Series 00:17:00 – JT Bailey Interview Begins 00:20:00 – JT’s Role at RealPage & Focus on CRM Integration 00:22:00 – “Spicy Take” on AI in Student Housing 00:25:00 – Why Human Connection Still Matters 00:26:30 – Turn Season Nostalgia & JT’s Wildest Turn Story 00:28:00 – Advice to Young Professionals in the Industry 00:30:00 – The Power of Speaking Up & Career Exploration 00:33:00 – Reflections from Wes Deese & Preview of Next Episode 🙌 Episode Sponsor Campus Technologies For nearly 25 years, Campus Technologies has been the go-to provider for fast, reliable internet infrastructure in student housing. Their solutions go far beyond basic connectivity, offering fully managed IT services and support tailored to the unique demands of student living environments.   🖱️ Download their latest white paper or learn more at campustechnologies.com   🔗 Resources & Mentions Student Housing Insight Ambassadors – Learn more: StudentHousingInsight.com Shop Talk Webinars – Sign up: ShopTalk.info BISNOW Student Housing Summits – Bisnow Events Page   Stay subscribed for more insightful, candid conversations from top voices in the student housing industry.

📝 Episode Summary: In this special Lunch and Learn edition of the Student Housing Insight podcast, Wes Deese discusses the growing trend of using short-term rentals (STRs)—such as Airbnb and VRBO—as a strategy to offset vacancy in student housing. Featuring insights from Mickey Kropf of Vector Travel and Pam West of Campus Advantage, this session explores how STRs can be successfully integrated into student properties, the regulatory landscape, operational logistics, safety protocols, insurance, financial models, and ideal markets. Whether you're new to STRs or looking to refine your implementation, this episode delivers practical advice and first-hand experiences to help student housing operators make informed decisions. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18] – Introduction and background on STRs in student housing 00:01:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=60s] – Vector Travel’s role in managing student housing STRs  00:02:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=120s] – Wes shares personal experience using STRs during high vacancy  00:03:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=180s] – National leasing trends and challenges in 2025 00:04:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=240s] – How Vector helped address occupancy gaps 00:05:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=300s] – Guest introductions: Mickey Kropf and Pam West 00:06:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=360s] – Mickey’s background and Vector’s student housing focus 00:07:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=420s] – Pam’s experience managing STR assets with Vector 00:08:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=480s] – What qualifies as a short-term rental legally? 00:09:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=540s] – Midterm stays and platforms like Furnish Finder 00:10:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=600s] – Navigating STR regulations and city-specific overlays 00:12:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=720s] – Example: Charleston, SC regulatory framework 00:13:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=780s] – Safety and preventing parties in STR units 00:14:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=840s] – Noise monitoring, guest screening, and onsite team collaboration 00:15:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=900s] – Insurance and liability for STR units 00:17:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=1020s] – Advertising STRs as an amenity to residents and families 00:18:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=1080s] – Lessons from Adobe Center in Austin, TX 00:19:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=1140s] – Operational logistics: cleaning, guest comms, and maintenance 00:21:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=1260s] – Why property teams should not DIY STR management  00:22:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=1320s] – Corporate and site-level collaboration for success 00:24:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=1440s] – Marketing to residents and their families 00:25:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=1500s] – Accounting, taxes, and financial reporting of STR income 00:27:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=1620s] – Revenue share vs. guaranteed income models  00:29:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=1740s] – Risk mitigation and flexibility in contract models 00:30:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=1800s] – Ideal student markets for STRs 00:31:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=1860s] – Real-life examples: Eugene, Missoula, Waco, and more 00:33:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=1980s] – Exit strategies and using STRs as temporary solutions  00:35:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_mY1pyu18&t=2100s] – Wrapping up and future SHI events 🔗 Referenced Sources & Links: Vector Travel: https://vectorstays.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3NfaWV5OWxMRTlveE5FYVYxaHR4QkF3ZWlaUXxBQ3Jtc0tuQW1mNW9Ca0RSRTJzcUtVZVhWWmRDWmlZX0o3d0RuazZoSFBQZzNSNmFGOHUzQmtVcmg0SWJteGp2Z1lBN1Z5dWh3dXNSdS0zYXhBZS1wam5QamJRYTgwcDlQcVM5Vm9nMzhZNVZ3TXp5MXd4OVE3UQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fvectorstays.com%2F&v=0T_mY1pyu18] Student Housing Insight (Events Page): https://studenthousinginsight.com/events [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3c1LU5MV252QzlYcC1UNDE4eWpIYnRCX2p0Z3xBQ3Jtc0trS2hJOXZ0REFZTlpMMFNmRkRLY0RCV25IWnVRNFFDQUdMUGtkc3RNVlhEQi1zVVhFclN4UGMzQkxuekJvMjhRdTItV25rNW9laFJwM2dvdThQazd1X2xXVFlROE9MTFlCSnlpSnZaeTVETWpoWjZpTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fstudenthousinginsight.com%2Fevents&v=0T_mY1pyu18] Charleston STR Regulations: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/shortte... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa01lRmFHNktTbWZ5Zkd0M0R5S3VuY2dfODR2UXxBQ3Jtc0trdmswbTQyamRMS3llelpJRUFNZXJOQWZlb25zYXhpeW55TjZlQlVNclRFTEQwVHVGbFExbHVEUWI2dzdkTWJmZ3F4N012aGttYnY3d3NuVXYwMGtkOEdIS0NYQjFoNlFKV284d1FKWGo2RnBYQnpZQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.charleston-sc.gov%2Fshorttermrentals&v=0T_mY1pyu18] Doby Center (Adobe Center) History Episode: Previously mentioned SHI podcast episode featuring Bill Bayless QR Code: http://www.vectorstays.com/SHI [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0poajhLVVZrSzVPRmZYbkliSDFiUUtwYzF1d3xBQ3Jtc0tsaGlIQThmOTcwbG9XbXZqeWFhQXBQcWlkQWtGd3JwaUNaVVhfLU1QOWdwczVWcWF5b2dsbVl1MVY5dlVQWWIwcHJqWkRVODFlMUNaVkhOeU5fRV9oUmFlY3FkWHFXb3JQbGFFcjFqZFAxS1k5M0tkaw&q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vectorstays.com%2FSHI&v=0T_mY1pyu18]