Search for Off-Campus Housing on a Mobile App

The recent online news is reporting that the mobile app is the way to go for both property owners and students. Finding off-campus housing has never been more accessible. Learn everything about an apartment and the surrounding neighborhood without leaving the couch. It’s as if you’re searching for an apartment online or in the newspaper in the palm of your hand. Is it that simple? Is it effective? Let’s examine the different sides of the technological landscape.

Students

Students find it easier to search for homes on their laptop or cell phone than to search the newspaper or drive around looking for “for rent” signs. There’s so much you can learn about one apartment just by sitting still and researching. Many real estate applications offer a list of houses, pictures, neighborhood amenities and detailed descriptions. As apps evolve, students expect more. If an app offers a place for a rating system, a comment section, online payment or seeing the home in 2D/3D, students will respond heavily to it. Students will see what it’s like to live there through the eyes of residents first hand. In addition to the apps, students are looking to social media for guidance on choosing the right apartment.

Scammers

Scammers are another facet in the technology landscape. We’re so used to craigslist being responsible for fraud that we never think legitimate real estate websites would allow it. Now Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com and other well-known and well-respected websites have scammers hiding deep in the web pages. It’s not that the real estate property doesn’t exist; it does. The problem is the person on the other end of the conversation. Stolen true-to-life apartment/home ads are re-posted at a lower price. It blends in with legitimate ones hoping students respond to the swindle. Students need to watch out for scammers who make too good to be true offers for a home in a pricier neighborhood. There’s only an email address as contact info. The reveal that he or she is “out of town” and wants money in exchange for the keys is also a possibility. Stay away; a real proprietor has a local phone number. The owner also allows a look-through before exchanging money. While the legit real estate websites do their best to eliminate frauds, it’s up to you to use common sense.

Property Owners

Property owners see the app differently than students. Newspapers and word of mouth have taken a back seat to websites and apps. Most have a website that allows students to look at the amenities and apartment blueprints. Having a phone application is a huge step and it’s a step worth taking. Choosing between a mobile website or an app, a recent Purdue University study reports that 70 percent of students prefer apps. A standard apartment app provides the same information as the website. However, property owners know that repeating information on the website isn’t enough to attract students to live here. They are adding goodies to attract students such as online payment, discounts and a platform to express themselves. This app is the main point of contact between managers and tenants as well as tenants and future tenants. Landlords see this as a way to improve their property, keep tenants happy and make day-to-day operations easier.

Investing in an app is a win-win for both sides of the coin. For property owners, it’s imperative to create an app to attract students. For students, an app is an easy way to view any property without leaving the comforts of home. While the app provides a different purpose for proprietors and students, it brings both parties together. The meeting face-to-face is going to be less stressful.

How do you like to search for apartments? Let us know about your strategies and methods in the comment section below.