Web site allows students to bid on off-campus housing

A new Web site aims to simplify the search for off-campus housing by allowing students to view available Bloomington properties and connect with property managers using one online forum. \nUsers can browse www.campus1housing.com for properties by street location, number of bedrooms, occupancy and property type. No initial registration is required, and all listed properties can be viewed immediately. If users become interested in a particular property, they can register an e-mail account to contact the property manager directly to arrange a visit or place a bid, said Joe Condit, Campus1Housing cofounder and director of sales and marketing. \n"Students are the most technologically savvy group in the world," Condit said. \nHe said the Web site takes advantage of students' Web usage and helps students avoid the hassle of driving around town searching for housing options. \n"The real value is having everything on one Web site," Condit said. "Why do you go to Google? It's easy because everything is there." \nJunior Allison Glock said she found the Web site helpful when she began looking for off-campus housing.\n"The pictures give you a good feel for the house and the amenities it comes with," she said. "Plus, it's helpful to not have to drive around looking for a house." \nStudents considering off-campus housing for the first time can use the site to help inform their parents of their options. Condit said viewing multiple housing options in one place makes parents feel more comfortable with their son or daughter's housing choice. \nRachel Walker, director of human resources and corporate communications for Campus1Housing, said the site currently has information on 3,500 units in Bloomington.\nCondit said the site allows property managers to learn how to appeal to students using advertising that makes technology work for them. \nMillennium Property Management, Omega Properties, Renaissance Rentals and Vencel Property Management are among the Bloomington companies that have chosen to list their properties on the site, Walker said. \nCampus1Housing is a client of IU's chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, said the society's vice president and senior Jackie Gutmann. By working with the company during the school year, PRSSA members gain experience in public relations and event planning, she said. \nIn addition to working with the society, Campus1Housing hires summer sales interns. By seeking out properties to list, Condit said these interns help shape the Web site. \nSenior Craig Herron, a School of Public and Environmental Affairs management major, was the sales intern last summer. His responsibilities included meeting with property managers to encourage them to sign with Campus1Housing, as well as updating property profiles on the Web site. \n"It's an innovative company that has great ideas for students on campus," said Herron. \nEventually, Campus1Housing will provide information about storage, moving and utilities, said Campus1Housing co-founder and CEO Jake Burns. \n"We want to help students manage their living experience and make the whole thing easier from start to finish," he said.\nIn addition to IUB, Campus1Housing operates at Bowling Green State University, Central Michigan University, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Kentucky, Miami University of Ohio, Notre Dame and Xavier University.