Web site gives renters more options

By Carly Kuppe
Western Herald

For those who have  wanted to see their future apartment before signing or know their roommate without meeting them, RentSelect.com was designed to offer just those options.

And the best part about it is it’s free.

RentSelect.com launched in September 2008 and allows people to create a free personal profile for their property.  Users post their needs and wants in their own words directly to their profiles, said Randy Schell, founder of RentSelect.com.  They can also upload pictures of themselves and their apartments, condos or homes.

“We created our own search engine within our site, and people can use this to find exactly what they are looking for,” Schell said.  “Those who take the time to make a detailed profile will have a much better response rate from those looking in their area of interest.”

Users can click on certain things they want to see, such as what comes with different properties listed on the Web site.  Once a user finds something they want to pursue, they can contact and interact with other users.
RentSelect allows people to take their time when looking for a roommate.

“Students are forced to either pay [on other Web sites] to interact with someone, or forced to hurry to a resolution on their next living arrangement,” Schell said.  “These are the two items we are most concerned with, and wanted to alleviate for everyone.

The Web site already has a few profiles of tenants looking for roommates.  The company hopes that both students and professionals will take advantage of the Web site because of the fact that it’s free, said Schell.
RentSelect.com accepts profiles nationwide, and hopes to launch in Canada and the United Kingdom by early 2009.

“Nobody wants a nightmare roommate,” Schell said. “By giving this service away, we feel we can help many people do their own due diligence to find their next roommate.”