đź“ť Episode Summary:
In this special Lunch and Learn edition of the Student Housing Insight podcast, Wes Deese discusses the growing trend of using short-term rentals (STRs)—such as Airbnb and VRBO—as a strategy to offset vacancy in student housing. Featuring insights from Mickey Kropf of Vector Travel and Pam West of Campus Advantage, this session explores how STRs can be successfully integrated into student properties, the regulatory landscape, operational logistics, safety protocols, insurance, financial models, and ideal markets.
Whether you're new to STRs or looking to refine your implementation, this episode delivers practical advice and first-hand experiences to help student housing operators make informed decisions.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00:00 – Introduction and background on STRs in student housing
00:01:00 – Vector Travel’s role in managing student housing STRs
 00:02:00 – Wes shares personal experience using STRs during high vacancy
 00:03:00 – National leasing trends and challenges in 2025
00:04:00 – How Vector helped address occupancy gaps
00:05:00 – Guest introductions: Mickey Kropf and Pam West
00:06:00 – Mickey’s background and Vector’s student housing focus
00:07:00 – Pam’s experience managing STR assets with Vector
00:08:00 – What qualifies as a short-term rental legally?
00:09:00 – Midterm stays and platforms like Furnish Finder
00:10:00 – Navigating STR regulations and city-specific overlays
00:12:00 – Example: Charleston, SC regulatory framework
00:13:00 – Safety and preventing parties in STR units
00:14:00 – Noise monitoring, guest screening, and onsite team collaboration
00:15:00 – Insurance and liability for STR units
00:17:00 – Advertising STRs as an amenity to residents and families
00:18:00 – Lessons from Adobe Center in Austin, TX
00:19:00 – Operational logistics: cleaning, guest comms, and maintenance
00:21:00 – Why property teams should not DIY STR management
 00:22:00 – Corporate and site-level collaboration for success
00:24:00 – Marketing to residents and their families
00:25:00 – Accounting, taxes, and financial reporting of STR income
00:27:00 – Revenue share vs. guaranteed income models
 00:29:00 – Risk mitigation and flexibility in contract models
00:30:00 – Ideal student markets for STRs
00:31:00 – Real-life examples: Eugene, Missoula, Waco, and more
00:33:00 – Exit strategies and using STRs as temporary solutions
 00:35:00 – Wrapping up and future SHI events
đź”— 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