Housing fair aids in home hunting

Many students found a new home Wednesday, thanks to a visit to the Housing Fair. Or at least, they have a better idea of where they want thier new home to be.\nNeon-clad construction workers, a life-size Elvis cut-out and piles of candy greeted visitors to the fair, sponsored by the IDS.\nOver 100 rental complexes made an appearance, making it hard to stand out without a bit of ingenuity.\nThe representatives from Colonial Crest apartments were decked out in construction gear while sporting buttons that read "Making friends, Building relationships." The slogan and the outfit are symbols of the relationship between the complex and the resident, said Elena Colón, assistant manager in leasing.\n"We want to relate to our residents and let them know that we're out there to help them," she said.\nSome students were drawn to the brand new properties still being built around town, such as Smallwood's downtown location on College Avenue between Eighth and Ninth streets.\nNewer apartments tend to offer high-tech amenities in their leasing agreements, such as high-speed Internet and cable, displays advertised at the fair.\nBut getting the word out can be difficult, which is why Smallwood attended the fair in an addition to the leasing office they currently run on Kirkwood Avenue.\nOther rental complexes, such as Grant Properties, have an advantage in that they are close enough to campus that students are already aware of them. Grant Properties Manager Amy Waggoner said students find their location appealing, but also are attracted to lower rates in recent years.\n"People seem to be more money conscious, maybe because of the economy," she said. "They also want three and four bedrooms the most."\nThat was the case with many groups of friends who attended the fair together, hoping to find a new home that met all their needs.\nFreshman Allison Cox went with her two friends and said the fair was beneficial since they have many different needs in regards to finding a home for next year.\n"Price, and being able to have a pet and smoke," are all things Cox said she and her future roommates need in a housing agreement.\nMany students said the fair was a great chance to meet with leasing agents in person and that they can be more accommodating than at other times.\n"It's better than just calling around," senior Casey McFall said. \nHe came to the fair with a future roommate and both are moving off campus for the first time. McFall said the fair gave them some good leads, although they haven't settled yet.\n"We're concerned with price first," he said. "Then washer and dryer. We need that"