Let’s talk demographics. The Baby Boom started in the wake of WW2 in 1946. If you were born in 1946, then you are 80 years old now. You are the oldest baby boomer. The baby boom covered the time period from 1946 until 1964. The youngest baby boomer is 61 years old. We keep hearing that the baby boomers are driving the need for senior housing, specifically assisted living and memory care. The problem is that the boomers have not been old enough to need senior housing in large numbers. That’s finally changing. The real wave is still another 5 years away, but it’s starting.

Staffing is the top issue for all operators. Staffing shortages during the pandemic forced many communities to cap occupancy, even when demand existed. That constraint is easing, but not uniformly. Wages remain elevated. Recruiting and retention are ongoing challenges.

The best operators are treating labor as a strategic asset, not a variable expense. Investment in culture, training, and career paths is translating directly into higher occupancy, better resident outcomes, better employee retention and stronger margins.

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**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:**
Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)
iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)
Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)
LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)
YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)
Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)
Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)
**Y Street Capital:**
Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)
Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)
Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)

Today’s show is a listener question. But first, I’d like to invite you to consider investments that are boring, but predictable. That’s how we think about industrial storage. Our Y Street Capital storage fund is heavily focused on this segment while at the same time offering diversification. This is for accredited investors only residing in the US in compliance with SEC regulations. To learn more, visit YStreetcapital.com and register for our investor portal.

Today’s question comes from Tony who writes:

"I’m hearing and seeing that there is excess capacity in the trucking industry. Freight rates are below profitable levels for many companies. How will this translate into demand for industrial real estate?"

-------------

**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:**
Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)
iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)
Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)
LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)
YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)
Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)
Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)
**Y Street Capital:**
Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)
Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)
Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)

This is the final segment in our mini series on amenities. Last week we started a mini-series on Amenities. The deep dive into amenities is based on the outstanding work by apartment operator Greystar, the largest operator of apartments in the US with over 100,000 apartments in their portfolio. We are working with Greystar on our own active adult project in Spokane Washington. If you want to learn more about that amazing project, come and register to our portal at YStreetCapital.com and we will have more to share about the project. This is not a solicitation for investment and of course any investment would be by prospectus only in compliance with SEC regulations.

We spoke last week about technology, storage, co-working space, outdoor amenities, kitchens, and security.

Today we’re talking about fitness centers.

-----------

**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:**
Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)
iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)
Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)
LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)
YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)
Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)
Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)
**Y Street Capital:**
Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)
Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)
Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)